Meet the Team

Better Together Community Support Group is community led. We are run by the community, for the community.

Staff - Volunteers - Trustees

  • Birgit (Bridge) Allport

    CEO and Founder

    I founded the Better Together Community Support Group for Stoke-on-Trent and N-u-L because I noticed there is vital support and points of contact missing. As a group made of community members, we aim to support where needed. No matter if someone need just a friendly chat, a food or hygiene parcel, sign posting to other support organisations or is looking for activities for every age group. We got you covered.

    My personal background, I am a historian, specialised in Women in the Intelligence community, worked 20 years as PA, proud Mum and Grandma.

    bridge@bettertogethercommunitystoke.org

  • Heather Lynch

    Strategic Operational Manager

    I graduated from Staffordshire University with a BSc Honours in PE teaching and youth sport coaching.

    My focus is the wellbeing of our community. I run the Gentle Movers group where we work on moving our bodies in the comfort of our chairs, making it inclusive and suitable for everyone.

    I also have a passion for cooking and reducing food waste. I cook for our weekly community meal, making the most of what we have around us and using supermarket surplus food.

    If I’m not at work you can usually find me at a dance event supporting my two girls.

    heather@bettertogethercommunitystoke.org

  • Adam Colclough

    Community Engagement and Outreach

    I joined Better Together in April 2024 and help to develop our activities so that we can continue to meet the needs of the people we support.

    I graduated from Staffordshire University with an Honours degree in Sociology and have wide experience of volunteering with local voluntary organisations, including Changes, B-Arts and Appetite.

    adam@bettertogethercommunitystoke.org

  • Vicky Cook

    Community Support and Activity Lead

    I love working with people of all ages and I run various activities here at Better Together Community Support Group.

    I'm a mother of three and before working at Better Together, I was a regular visitor, then a volunteer and now I'm employed as community support worker. I previously worked as a barber for many years.

    In my spare time I love spending time with my family and reading.

    vicky@bettertogethercommunitystoke.org

  • Colin Allport

    Finance Officer

    Small business owner, married to Birgit. I am the invisible man in the background and who drives the van for the collections.

  • Our secret Bosses

    Mascot and Volunteer

    Paula the Puppy - Assistance Dog and Mascot. Loves humans, cars and cuddles.

    Mae our equivalent to Tigger. Bouncy Cockerpoo, loves humans, water, cars and food.

Make It

Volunteers

  • Amie

    Head of Little Humans Staffordshire CIC

  • Becci

    Volunteer, SEN lead

  • Jess R

    Volunteer, benefit advise and SEN

  • Zoe

    Mental wellbeing support and counselling

    I am on my final year studying counselling. My jobs have mostly been in care one way or another but I also worked for a long time in nurseries and schools which I also really enjoyed.

    In my down time I like to spend my time with my husband and my two adult children as well as my three dogs. I also love travelling and learning the Greek language.

  • Little Jess

    Volunteer

  • Alma

    Volunteer

  • Jenna

    Volunteer

  • Lily

    Volunteer / Duke of Edinburgh Award Silver

    I got into volunteering through the Duke of Edinburgh but it was never my reason to want to continue volunteering the community is lovely it opened my eyes to how may people need that support and help from people around them and it made me happy to go and help those who need it more than I do. I enjoy the environment it’s calm and loving and how everyone treats people respectfully it gave me a good hope for how life might be once I get older and meet more people. Well I’d say the benefits I’ve gained is my confidence has improved a lot when speaking to others and that I met a really lovely group of people that even with their own lives take there time to help others for free it’s honestly refreshing.

  • Dee

    Volunteer

  • Abi

    Volunteer IT

    I got into volunteering through the feeding/baby group on a Monday, and wanted to give back what I could as the group was such a great support to me - and I made such a lovely group of friends through it, and it really helped me both during my maternity leave and still now, and passing on some of the advice to the next group of mums in the group is really nice too.I can use my IT background to support the charity.

Trustees

  • Dave Clewes

    I am Dave and live local. and I support our local community for years. Therefore, I am happy to be part of the Better Together Community family. I am a Landlord (Jollees Cabaret Venue) with a big heart who like to help where possible.

  • Paul (Tube) Deakes

    My name is Paul Deakes aka Tube I own a small pottery business in Longton. Also, I am born and bred in Trent Vegas, went to school with Colin and still live locally. I’ve joined the trustees after being approached by Birgit and realising what a fantastic service they are providing for the local community before and during the pandemic and will be after so hopefully I will be able help in some way.

  • Jo Somogy

    I am a qualified teacher and the Lead Learning mentor at a local primary school. My role is to remove barriers to learning by supporting children and families to overcome difficulties. I am also the deputy safeguarding lead, working closely with various agencies to ensure children remain safe. My role is to ensure the voice of the child is heard, working with vulnerable families to enable children to their potential.

  • Paul Dobson

    I am Paul, and father of five kids, married a wonderful French wife. I am a Senior Lecturer in Strategic & Digital Marketing at Staffordshire University Business School, that is where I met Birgit a long time ago. I am also a passionate Artisan Baker and hopefully some of my skills are useful for the Better Together Community Support Group.