John Brown - Chief Executive

John has worked in Local Government and the voluntary sector since the creation of the Social Services Department in 1972. For ten years he was a generic Social Worker in Nottinghamshire, West Sussex and then in Egremont, West Cumbria for six years before moving to Penrith as a team manager with the Social Services Department. Here he was responsible for developing integrated services for older people throughout the Eden District, in partnership with other key agencies and organisations, both statutory and voluntary.

In 1992 he left Social Sevices and became a Manager in Cumbria County Council's Corporate Services Department, being responsible for the development of Neighbourhood Forums throughout the county. He also managed the Adult Education Service before taking the lead on developing integrated three-tier working between the County Council, District Councils and Parish Councils. Later he was the County Council's lead officer responsible for ensuring that the County Council developed an effective and meaningful working relationship with the Voluntary Sector.

In 2000, he was appointed Chief Executive of DeafVision. He is also a trustee of Eden Council for Voluntary Service and Chair of North Cumbria Action for Health. John is married with a son and two daughters.

Ian Douglas - Manager of Support Service

Ian started working for DeafVision in 1984 as the Administrative Assistant. At this time the organisation consisted of a Principal Officer, four Social Workers and a part-time secretary! Prior to this he spent five years at the Cumberland Infirmary in the Medical Records Department.

With the expansion of the Association ten years ago, Ian took on the role of Manager of Support Services, a post he still holds today. His core role is finance, but he is also involved in other support activities such as buildings, personnel and general administration.

A native of Carlisle he lives in the centre of the city with his wife, Susan and son, Michael. When not working his hobbies include walking, golf and, of course, watching glorious Carlisle United!

Ian is proud to have been involved in DeafVision's growth in providing more and more vital services throughout the county.

Peter Shaw - Manager Community Services

Peter is a deaf BSL user and has worked for DeafVision since 1995. Before that, he worked with the British Deaf Association from 1985, firstly as Assistant Education Officer and later as Assistant Director of Youth Services. During this time he travelled extensively around the U.K. and Europe running courses for deaf children and young people, including preparing them for leaving school, leadership skills and outdoor pursuits. He also ran the National Young Members Council of the BDA. Some partnership working with SENSE, National Deaf Children's Society, Hearing Concern and Friends for the Young Deaf has enabled Peter to develop experience and knowledge on issues facing the hard of hearing, as well as profoundly deaf people and with those using or not using Sign Language.

Peter's current job responsibility is to develop and manage current community services including the Communication Support Unit, Children and Youth Projects, Deaf Awareness and CACDP training courses. This includes active involvement with statutory and voluntary sectors throughout Cumbria.

For many years he has worked voluntarily with the local deaf club and with various voluntary organisations, nationally. Peter enjoys touring and visiting places of interest. His other interests include British Sign Language, linguistics and other communication skills with deaf people and he teaches CACDP courses.

Peter has lived in Carlisle all his life and is married to Maryka, who is also deaf, and their two hearing children, Helena and George.

 

Heather McMillan - Senior Practitioner (Social Work)

Heather grew up in the West Country, leaving school at 18 to train as an accountant.  While working with a colleague with a dual sensory loss she became interested in learning British Sign Language and attended evening classes to gain her CACDP BSL Level 1.  

Realising accountancy was not for her, Heather left work to travel to Kenya to volunteer in a deaf school before starting a Deaf Studies degree at UCLAN in Preston.  Throughout her time at University was involved in social activities with the student Deaf community.  

Leaving university Heather moved to Warrington to work for a voluntary organisation as an Advocate for a voluntary people.  She provided a service across Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester.  During this time she also volunteered for both the local Deaf association and Deaf club to raise funds and some care support work.  As part of her role as an advocate Heather worked with the John Denmark Unit which developed her interest in mental health.
Heather gained her Masters in Social Work, while working part time as a communication support worker.  As a qualified social worker she moved to Cumbria as a mental health social worker until joining DeafVision in July 2008

Heather lives near Barrow in Furness with her partner.  She has no plans to start a family but would like to get a dog.  In spare time she enjoys walking and tries to keep fit by running.