Meet Nicola

We’re really excited to welcome to Nicola, our new Communications Officer! She brings more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience from national and local charities.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi, I’m Nicola!

I was born in the Northeast and moved away when I was young, losing my accent in the process, but always loved visiting the area and spending time with my extended Geordie family. Having lived in London for ten years working in the charity sector my husband and I moved to Barcelona for his work where I learned to speak Spanish. After three years we returned to the UK. There was only one place I wanted to live and that was Newcastle, so I persuaded my husband to move to here and three years later we are happily settled with two Toon fans for children.

What’s your career background?

Having studied English Literature at university I’ve always enjoyed stories and storytelling, so after I graduated I decided marketing and communications was something I wanted to pursue. I spent three years working in commercial marketing roles, which was incredibly useful for building skills and learning the trade, however there was something missing for me. I started volunteering at a charity as a mentor for a young person and became fascinated with the cause. As soon as a job came up that fit my experience, I went for it.

Since then, I have worked in fundraising, marketing, and communications roles in London-based and national charities as well as Newcastle-based organisations, producing case studies, social media content, and fundraising and marketing campaigns. For five years I worked with rough sleepers and people affected by homelessness in East London, where I met some wonderful, creative people working hard to build safer, happier lives for themselves and others. This for me was such an inspiring time that I will never forget.

What’s your new role?

My new role here at Action Foundation follows a similar vein to my previous communications role, but with a focus on refugees and asylum seekers, which is an area of work I am so keen to contribute to. I will be supporting Action Foundation with online and traditional communication and marketing campaigns to promote their crucial work supporting people to make the North East their home, as well as encourage and inspire local supporters to get behind our work through donating, fundraising, and volunteering.

What drew you to work for Action Foundation?

During my time working with rough sleepers and people affected by homelessness I met people who had come to the UK as asylum seekers and refugees. I could see how difficult it was for them to navigate the systems and receive the support they needed, particularly with English as a second language and separated from friends, family and loved ones. Action Foundation supports people into safe homes, and this is so important if people are to settle as part of our vibrant and friendly community here in the Northeast.

But there’s more to a ‘home’ than bricks and mortar. It’s about having the resources to survive and thrive. Action Foundation not only offers practical support for people experiencing this kind of isolation, including English and Digital Skills, but they also place a strong emphasis on the importance of ‘connection’, ensuring asylum seekers and refugees don’t feel alone by offering fun activities and a place to make friends.

I saw this myself on my first day in the job, when I attended a Women’s Drop-in. I was welcomed by a warm, passionate group of staff and visitors dedicated to creating a friendly, supportive space for women and their children. There was even a lovely volunteer there giving manicures! It’s so important to focus on people’s wellbeing as well as their immediate material needs, and this is something I could see straight away at Action Foundation.

I am so excited about supporting the charity to spread the word across the region about these fantastic services.