Meet our Trustees
Lin Elder-Atterton MVO
Chair of the Board
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Lynda Rhodes
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I was born with a severe sight loss and was registered blind at the age of 5. By the time I reached my early 20s, I had no useful vision and lost all light perception over the next few years. I therefore went through my whole education, including my training as a physiotherapist in the blind sector.
I worked as a chartered physiotherapist for 38 years. During this time, I held senior roles in the NHS and the National Coal board which involved the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients. I also managed a staff Team of practicing physiotherapists and was an active contributor to the senior management Team. I later established my own practice that involved all aspects of running a small business as well as patient care.
I am qualified in Teaching Adults and worked, part time, as a lecturer teaching anatomy and physiology. I also taught Math and English to adults with learning difficulties.
I retired from full time work in 2012 and became a volunteer for Vision & Hearing Support. I obtained an RNIB certificate in ‘Understanding Eye Health’ so that I could help people with a range of different sight conditions.
I enjoyed sport at school and was regularly in trouble for running and climbing over fences I shouldn’t! Putting this to good use, I was selected for the 1976 Paralympics where I competed at track and field, winning one silver and two bronze medals. Following that, I was a very keen downhill skier for about 14 years.
As a Trustee, I have life long experience of sight loss so understand and can empathise with service users. I have a good understanding of how businesses work and know the importance of high quality, efficient provision of services. I like to find solutions to a problem and for things to get done in a timely fashion. Mostly, I am passionate about the work Vision & Hearing Support does and will always give my best to the organisation.
Ian Hickson
Optometrist
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Ian was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and lived in Durham City until moving to London where he graduated in Ophthalmic Optics. While in London Ian held the post of Senior Optician at Whipps Cross Hospital, also working as a sessional optician at Guy’s Hospital and the Low Vision Department of Moorfields Eye Hospital. Ian moved back to the North East and established a successful Optometrist practice in Sunderland. Ian is also a Sessional Optometrist for Sunderland Eye Infirmary specialising in contact lens and low vision work. In 2004 he became Company Secretary of a group of independent opticians which is both a buying and mutual support group. Ian was an active member of the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Local Optical Committee for several years before retiring this position.
Councillor Alex Geddes, GMBC, Co-Opted.
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Councillor Angela Lamonte, South Tyneside Council, Co-Opted
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Clive Carr, Co-Opted Member
Service User
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Peter Kirk, Co-Opted Member
Customer Engagement & Marketing
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Debbie Tindle, Co-Opted Member
Finance
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