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'Education4Democracy NE's' new Panel of Advisors

THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE charity, Education4Democracy NE, has released its ''refreshed'' Board of advisors who will function in a voluntary capacity providing advice, guidance and sharing ''good practice''. 15 people have been appointed. They are:

Having delivered a range of social science programmes at Newcastle Sixth Form College (2005-13), Stephen worked as the Public Relations Officer for the educational charity, Learning First Ltd. He is a Newcastle City Councillor, representing the Kenton Ward since 2002, re-elected in 2015 with a 1,960 majority over Ukip, and was formerly the Deputy Cabinet Member: Community Safety, Chair: Safe Newcastle, & Vice-Chair, NW Newcastle Regeneration Partnership (1995-99) . Stephen also served as a member of the Northumbria Police Authority (2011-12) and a member of the Tyne and Wear Transport Authority until  its abolition in  2014. In 2002-14 he served as a LEA Governor at Kenton Bar Primary school; director, Newcastle Citizen's Advice and trustee, Learning first Ltd till September 2012 and North-West Sure Start Panel.

Stephen contested Berwick-Upon-Tweed (1987) and Roxburgh & Berwickshire (1992)  general elections for the Labour Party. During this period he was the Party's Chief Media Spokesman for North Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. He remains a member of the Labour Party's approved panel of Parliamentary Candidates. He is an established freelance journalist, a member of the NUJ, and has published widely on education, mental health, social inclusion, political extremism, and public policy related issues in Rostrum, The Journal, Northern Echo, Newsquest, LGA First and Post-16 Educator and on social media websites such as Newcastle City council's blog, 'Lets Talk'. Stephen, 57, is married to Margaret, a Newcastle Health Visitor and they have one son, Aidan. Stephen's interests include cycling, reading biographies, good food and drink,  investigative reporting and citizen journalism.

Kerry Allibhai, 30, was born in the former mining town of Ashington and raised in Blyth, Northumberland. Married with two young children, Kerry represents the South Jesmond ward as a city councillor. Previously a sole trader running a cafe/deli in the heart of Newcastle city centre, Kerry has lived in Newcastle for 10 years. She is passionate about raising awareness of Dementia and how it impacts on citizens lives, recently achieving the level of dementia champion via professional training. Kerry's position as a locally elected representative has given her a platform to interact closely on a regular basis with the local community helping to promote equality and diversity and supporting those in need. Kerry acts as the personal assistant to the organisation and is also a part-time voluntary tutor.

Dr Robin Simmons is professor of Education at Huddersfield University and has published widely on questions of youth, education and the economy. He is the co-author of the books 'Neet, Young People and Training for Work' published by Trentham in 2011 and 'Education, Work and Social Change' published by Palsgrave Macmillan in 2014, and has worked on research projects funded by the Leverhulme Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Robin is an experienced media commentator who has appeared on BBC TV and radio. He has also worked extensively with policy makers and think-tanks such as Policy Exchange on questions of youth unemployment. He previously taught social sciences and lived in the North East and has co-written numerous articles with Stephen Lambert. Robin is currently a Board governor at Cleveland College of Arts on Teesside.

Councillor Anita Lower is leader of the Liberal-democrat group on Newcastle Council. A former further education lecturer, Anita contested the Newcastle North at the 2015 general election. A former chair the 'Safe Newcastle' partnership, she serves on the LGA Safer Stronger Communities Board and is the lead on ASB. Since 2014 she has been lead member of the North East Combined Authority scrutiny panel (NECA).

Mark McNally, MPhil, was born and bred in the working-class former steel making town of Consett, Durham. Mark is a former senior local government officer with Gateshead Council before going onto to complete degrees in history/politics and an MA in theology at Durham University in his fifties. Mark successfully taught history and government at Newcastle Sixth Form College in 2004-13 and is a visiting lecturer in the politics department at Durham. Mark is an Ofsted grade 1 (''outstanding'') teacher and currently works a voluntary tutor with Education4Democracy NE.

Margaret Murning, RN, RHV, Bsc, Bsc Community health, CertEd, MSc social research, PG Cert in Academic and professional learning and is a fellow of the Academy of Higher Education. Margaret, a mother of one, is a city health visitor who left school at 16 to work as a hairdresser in the west Cumbrian town of Whitehaven. Margaret went onto to study sociology with social research at Northumbria University. A former nurse in Romford, London, she has worked as a senior lecturer in health studies at Northumbria, before returning to ''practice'' in the west end of Newcastle. Margaret is a former elected member of Newcastle LEA 2000-04, and a former parent governor at St Charles Primary school till 2009. Her civic interests include getting more working class women engaged in the democratic process.

Anna Round, Anna Round is senior Research fellow at IIPR North and has published widely on public policy related issues. A former graduate of Oxford University, Anna has previously served as a city councillor. Her research interests include demographic change, the 'excluded over-50s in the job market' and political participation.

Ben McGukin, 22, is a graduate in Law from Northumbria university having completed his A-levels at Newcastle College. Ben is due to start an MA in law at Durham University and works as a voluntary tutor with E4D NE delivering voter  registration sessions in South Tyneside schools.

Professor Thom Brooks, 42, chairs the Law and Government faculty at Durham University and has written extensively on migration and citizenship related issues. An American by birth, Thom achieved degrees from William Patterson, Arizona and Dublin universities and was awarded his doctorate in philosophy from Sheffield university in 2004. An an accomplished media performer, Thom has appeared on BBC and ITV and is a regular columnist for ncjmedia and the Northern Echo. Thom's latest book, ''Becoming British'' has just been published.

Peter Wilson is digital advice manager with Newcastle Citizens Advice. A former civil servant,  Peter has worked in energy conservation and fuel poverty with Eaga Ltd and is an expert on citizen consumer advice. He has served as a Newcastle city councillor, representing the old Moorside ward, and was a trustee of Learning First until 2013. Peter was educated at Blakelaw School in 1970-75 Northumbria university where he studied public policy and has recently gained certification in middle East history from Tel Aviv university.

Oscar Watson is a Community Development worker at Daybreak, a regional charity for adults with learning disabilities, and manages the Cowgate People's Centre. Oscar has had over 30 years hand-on experience as a youth and community worker both in south-east London and on Tyneside. His principal interest are community engagement and empowerment.

John McConnell is a retired firefighter born and bred on Tyneside. An accomplished water colour artist, John is currently involved in the NTW NHS Mental health foundation and sits on various panels. His main professional interest is promoting good mental health in the community getting those with mental health related issues more involved ion the civic process.

Jeremy Middleton, CBE, 56, is a high profile North East businessman, investor, philanthropist and Conservative politician. Jeremy is a member of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and chairs the regional LEP investment panel. He has held several senior positions in the Conservative Party and contested Hartlepool in the 2005 by-election and the party's candidate in the NE euro-election in 2004. Jeremy is presently the Mayoral candidate for the 2017 Mayoral election. His professional and civic interests lie in promoting north-east  employability and social enterprises.

Lord Beecham, DCL DL, was former Labour leader of Newcastle City Council 1974-1994 and currently sits as working Peer in the Lords as Opposition Spokesman on local government and housing. A lawyer by profession, Sir Jeremy was educated at Newcastle's RGS and Oxford University where he achieved a double first in Law. He  was chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA) throughout the nineties and previously headed up Labour's top governing body the NEC in 2004.

Aidan Lambert, 16, is a GCSE student at St. Mary's comprehensive school and intends to study for A-levels in history, geography and government. He is interested in getting more youngsters involved in politics and the democratic process.

Councillor Habib Rahman is a member of Newcastle Council representing the inner-city ward of Elswick. A former advice worker with the CAB, Habib is a community worker and  a well respected anti-racism campaigner across the city. Educated at Newcastle College where he studied finance and management, Habib is an established restauranteur in Gateshead.

Mr. Lambert said: ''We're delighted and privileged to  have such a range of talented people from all sections of the  wider community fully signed up to make ''active citizenship'' across the North East a reality and not a dream. Our board are 'doers' and are fully committed to bring about real and meaningful democratic change to the benefit of the region as a whole.''

Councillor Stephen Lambert is both founder and director of Education4Democracy NE. Stephen was educated at Gosforth High School, Warwick University where he gained a degree in Politics and Sociology in 1981 and Bolton University where he achieved a PGCE (QTS) in 1983. He taught Sociology, History, Social Policy, Citizenship Studies & Government/Politics at both Bishop Auckland and Newcastle College to post-16 students and adults returning to learning. Stephen was Curriculum Area Leader (Advanced Studies) at Bishop Auckland College from 1995 to 1999, Vice-Chair of Natfhe, and the College's Equality & Diversity Manager from 1999 to 2005. He is an Ofsted Grade 2 lecturer and manager.