Meet the board - Middleton

Meet the Board - Middleton

Chair: Pat McGeever

Pat is Chief Executive of Health for All in Leeds, a charity whose vision is health and wellbeing for all, a society free from inequality, poverty and isolation. Established 35 years ago, Health for All aims to redress health inequalities by engaging over 11,000 people annually in life and health enhancing activities and groups, delivered from its seven welcoming community and family centres. Pat was appointed as the charity’s first community development worker in 1991 and now leads a team of over 90 staff. Previous work includes managing a national charity training young people as leaders within their communities and work across West Yorkshire supporting and building the capacity, skills and confidence of teams and organisations. She is passionate about supporting small community groups and the community centres which host them, convinced of the huge positive impact they have on people’s health and wellbeing. She is excited and honoured to devote her skills, energy, experience to Pride in Place, an exciting, inspiring programme which will make a real difference to the local communities she has served for 35 years. 

MP for Leeds South: Hillary Benn

Hilary Benn is the MP for Leeds South and has represented communities across South Leeds in Parliament since 1999. He has held several senior government positions, including Secretary of State for International Development, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. As the local Member of Parliament, Hilary has been a strong advocate for South Leeds communities, including Middleton, working alongside residents, community organisations and local partners to support investment, improve opportunities and champion local priorities. His long-standing commitment to the area, combined with his extensive experience in government, gives him an understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing South Leeds, and he is a strong supporter of Pride in Place which is putting power in the hands of local residents to change things for the better.

Adele Barron

Adele is the Chief Officer of Middleton Elderly Aid and a long-standing resident of Middleton, with over 12 years of involvement in supporting local people. Beginning as a volunteer and progressing to Chief Officer, Adele has developed a strong understanding of the community, particularly the needs and aspirations of older residents. Passionate about ensuring that older people have a voice in local decision-making, Adele brings valuable experience of board governance, community engagement, and partnership working. Through strong relationships with residents and local organisations, Adele is well placed to represent community views and help shape Pride in Place initiatives that improve wellbeing, inclusion, and opportunities for all generations in Middleton.

Susan Cook

Susan Cook is a lifelong Middleton resident and an active community volunteer with a strong passion for improving the local area. As a Trustee of Friends of Middleton, she supports community events, park activities and local engagement initiatives, helping to bring residents together and strengthen community spirit. Susan is committed to ensuring local people have a voice in decisions that affect their neighbourhood and regularly speaks with residents to understand their views and priorities. Through her role on the Middleton Pride in Place Board, she hopes to support projects that create opportunities for young people, improve local amenities and enhance community wellbeing.

-

Councillor Wayne Dixon 

Councillor Wayne Dixon represents Middleton Park on Leeds City Council and was elected in 2022. A lifelong Middleton resident, he has a strong track record of community involvement, supporting local initiatives, grassroots organisations and youth activities. Alongside his role as a councillor, he works as a Senior Employment Advisor at the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service. As a passionate advocate for Middleton, Councillor Dixon champions cleaner, safer neighbourhoods and encourages residents to take pride in their area. A strong supporter of Pride in Place, he believes local people should have a genuine voice in shaping their communities and is committed to helping residents lead positive, lasting change.

Paula Emsley

Paula is a long-standing Middleton resident and a dedicated community volunteer who has been supporting local people through the Grandparents Kinship Support Group for over ten years, based at St George’s Centre in Middleton. She is passionate about her community and committed to ensuring local people have a voice in shaping the area where they live. Drawing on her experience of running and supporting a grassroots community group, Paula understands the challenges and opportunities facing local families and residents and is a strong advocate for bringing people together. She is known for speaking openly and honestly, asking important questions, and constructively challenging ideas to achieve the best outcomes for the community. Paula is particularly passionate about creating more opportunities for children and young people, strengthening connections between younger and older generations, and helping to make Middleton a cleaner, more welcoming place for everyone. She is proud to bring her experience, energy and commitment to the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board and is excited to help make a positive difference for local residents.

Alison Hughes-Waters

Having lived in Middleton for 15 years, she is passionate about strengthening her community and creating more opportunities for local people. As a Leeds 2023 Neighbourhood Host, she organised a major event in Middleton Park and continues to build on that success through the annual Middleton’s Got Talent festival. She volunteers with Friends of Middleton Park and the Middleton Community Group, helping to deliver events and support local residents. She also runs a popular roller-skating group at Middleton Leisure Centre, attracting over 40 participants. Through her volunteering, creativity and community engagement, she is committed to helping Middleton thrive and grow.

-

Angela Gill

Having lived in Middleton for 16 years, Angela is committed to supporting her local community and improving opportunities for residents. For the past 14 years, Angela has served as Chairperson and Treasurer of the Rags to Riches and Sew It Seams groups based at Tenants Hall, helping to deliver activities and support for local people, by working closely with tutors and partner organisations that provide services for older people and those with additional needs. As well as being involved in projects with Leeds Community Foundation, Healthy Minds and the Work and Health Skills Project, creating practical items to support vulnerable residents.

- 

David Gurney

David Gurney MBE is a dedicated community leader with extensive experience in education, strategic leadership and partnership working. As Chief Executive Officer of a Multi-Academy Trust, he’s spent his career improving outcomes for children and young people, particularly those facing disadvantage. He works closely with schools, the Department for Education, Leeds City Council and local organisations to strengthen education, improve attendance, promote inclusion and support families across Middleton. David brings strong governance, analytical and stakeholder engagement skills, alongside a collaborative approach to decision-making. Passionate about empowering residents and strengthening communities, he’s committed to creating opportunities that improve life chances and prosperity.

-

Andrea Johnstone

Originally from the North East of England, she has lived in Middleton for almost 30 years. Working as a Project Manager for Royal Mail, she brings extensive project management experience that would support the Board’s work. She is married with two children who have grown up in Middleton. A committed community volunteer, she serves as Secretary and Treasurer of Middleton Park Juniors FC and has helped secure improvements to club facilities through Football Foundation projects. Her main motivation for joining the Board is to create and improve opportunities for young people while helping to strengthen community spirit and local connections in Middleton.

-

Tereza Mazurkiewychz

Tereza has dedicated the past 14 years to supporting the Middleton community through her tutoring work at Tenant’s Hall and a wide range of community projects. She teaches soft furnishings, upholstery, and sewing, and also runs a business that helps aspiring entrepreneurs establish their own housekeeping and commercial cleaning ventures.

Tereza is known for her strong organisational and training skills, which she uses to encourage participation, develop confidence, and strengthen community connections. One of her most rewarding projects has been a bereavement initiative that creates buddy blankets from the clothing and belongings of loved ones, providing comfort and lasting memories for families.

She is particularly passionate about supporting older adults, vulnerable residents, and children with additional needs, working closely with local partners to help create inclusive opportunities and improve wellbeing across the community.

-

Nichola McCulloch

Having lived in LS10 all her life, she is passionate about improving Middleton and creating opportunities for local residents. She is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Social Inequalities Research at the University of Leeds, with a particular interest in inclusion and disability studies. Alongside her studies, she volunteers with a local football club, supports fundraising activities, and helps at BITMO’s community kitchen. She has also volunteered with Scouts, developing activities for young people. With experience in research, community engagement and teamwork, she is committed to helping Middleton thrive and ensuring local voices are heard and valued.

-

Ian Rodley

Ian is the Director of local charities Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) and Manorfield Hall, both based in the Middleton Park Ward. Combining vocational performing arts training with a BA in Youth and Community Studies from Leeds Metropolitan University, he has worked in the dance and community sector for the past 25 years.

As DAZL Director, Ian leads the organisation’s activities, strategy, and long-term goals, supporting opportunities for young people, families, and communities across Leeds.

For the Neighbourhood Network, Ian brings 43 years of lived experience within the Middleton Park Ward, along with strong local knowledge, strategic leadership, and extensive community connections. He has a proven ability to build partnerships, engage residents, and bring together organisations and community groups around shared priorities. His focus is on delivering practical, community-led outcomes that make a positive difference to local people.

-

Alan Shaw

Alan Shaw is a long-standing community volunteer with more than 20 years’ experience in risk, governance and board leadership. Alan has been involved in local community life since 1999 and played a leading role in the Friends of Middleton Park as a Trustee since 2009 (and Chair from 2012-2024). He is currently also supporting Cycle Pathway CIC who run Leeds Urban Bike Park. Alan has helped develop a wide range of community events, including heritage and cultural programmes that engage residents of all ages. He brings strong strategic, organisational and collaboration skills, alongside a commitment to sustainable community development.