Difference People

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has … Margaret Mead, 1901-1978

Gillian Lathan Chairperson

Gillian is a North East native with a degree in Social Work. Since graduating she has worked with a major charity in the substance misuse field, providing support to vulnerable clients with complex needs in County Durham. She also has worked in drug and alcohol misuse services in Canada. She has previously worked with veterans, in children's services and at a specialist women's centre. Gillian, like fellow trustees Caroline and Nicky, is a medal winner on the Tees Rowing Club para-rowing team. She has a rescue dog called Diesel.
Caroline Macdonald Trustee

Caroline has been involved in disability rights for over 20 years, as a campaigner, mentor, research and policy specialist, sports coach, union officer, social worker and teacher. She has worked across sectors including health, regeneration, education and the voluntary and community sector. Caroline used to work for the Big Lottery Fund where she was responsible for their disability policy. She now works for the Government’s Office for Civil Society as a policy advisor. She is a former rowing world champion and a tennis champ.
Val Milnes Trustee

Val Milnes is retired but still active in the charity world. She is a qualified educator, trainer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Val is a wheelchair user following a ski accident in France in 1996 and an avid advocate for disability rights having worked in education, business and numerous charities during her career. She has won various local, regional and national awards for her work in all of those areas.
Nicky Erevik Assistant treasurer

Nicky has been working in the financial sector in the North East for almost 20 years, with a specialism in risk management, stress testing and treasury policy. She currently has risk oversight for a major regional financial institution and has in the past been a money market manager. She has a law degree and was awarded a distinction in legal practice. Nicky is a European indoor rowing medal winner and currently, like Caroline, plays wheelchair tennis. She gardens south of the River Tyne.
Christopher Hartworth Development Director

Christopher has been working in social welfare research and development for nearly 30 years both in the North East and overseas. He has a PhD in social science and a first degree in environmental management. Christopher carried out the initial mapping exercise which established the need for Difference and identified the first board members. He is an ex-smoker and has a whippet (and a bedlington).
Tanni Grey-Thompson Patron

Tanni Grey-Thompson needs no introduction ... she is an all round Ace. She has been involved in disability rights for many years following on from a successful Olympic career. As somebody living in the North East of England, we thought who better to represent and be our patron than somebody who has done so much to change people's perception of disability. Now she carries the title of Baroness and sits in the corridors of power in our government. How's about that as someone to look up to?
Claire Andrews Development Manager (Teesside)

Claire has worked across the VCSE sector in Teesside for over 18 years, she has a degree in Disability Studies and Post Grad in Management and Leadership. Claire describes herself as a 'Proud northerner who wants to make a small difference in our corner of the world'. She is passionate about people, stories and communities across the North East. Since 2022 she has been actively involved in advocating and campaigning for better patient and public representation across Health, Social care and Education; and she is currently a volunteer member of various co-production, representation and lived experience groups. Claire currently lives in Stockton-on-Tees with her husband and son.
Bex Bowsher Development Manager (Tyneside)

Bex has been working in the Arts and Culture sector for 15 years, with a focus on disability justice and embedded creative access both in her creative practice and behind the scenes of cultural organisations. Bex is passionate about improving the lives of disabled people in the North East, and takes a holistic and empathetic approach to that end. Bex lives in Newcastle with her two sons.
Elgan John Communications and Content Coordinator

Elgan John is a committed community organiser with a strong focus on housing rights and direct action. He has been instrumental in founding and growing Food & Solidarity, a membership organisation that began as a grassroots mutual aid effort and now had 100s of members. In addition to his work with Food & Solidarity, Elgan has led numerous actions challenging housing injustices, organising communities to resist evictions and fight rent hikes. Fluent in English and Welsh, and proficient in Italian and Lithuanian, Elgan’s organising is driven by a commitment to empowering people to stand up for their rights and create meaningful, lasting change through collective action.