Who we are
Dwellbeing Shieldfield is a welcoming community group and co-operative for people of all ages and backgrounds. We share life together, support our neighbours and celebrate our community. We enjoy regular social events and educational activities such as group walks, coffee meet-ups, planting and growing food, youth activities, and making improvements to our neighbourhood. Our aim is for community members to play an active role in shaping life in Shieldfield.
Our aims
Our aim is for community members to play an active role in shaping life in Shieldfield.
We share our knowledge about the issues and challenges that affect our neighbourhood and work collectively to find alternative ways of organising, learning and solidarity. Through these actions we embrace a joyful community spirit that can lead Shieldfield (and other neighbourhoods like it) toward self-reliance, interdependence, and flourishing.
What we do
We organise social events and workshops to support community members to play an active role in shaping life in Shieldfield. Much of what we do is about sharing skills and learning from each other.
We run regular intergenerational activities for members to keep in touch and share wisdom, kindness, struggles and solidarity. All of our activities are Covid-secure and follow the latest government guidelines. Our programmes include Shieldfield Youth Programme, Flourishing Together (our social programme) and Shieling Programme (our activities related to growing food and public space improvements).
Members who would like to play a more active role can join the Stewards (what we call our Directors) or a Working Group.
Find out more
How we work | Join us
Our people
Staff
Programme Worker - Hannah Marsden
Administrator and Communications - Edyta Czarnecka
Community Bee - Kaltouma Hassaballah
Organisational Development Worker Member - Mandy Robinson
Chefs Project Coordinator - Tigist Belew Tegegne
Youth Programme Producer - Izaak Gledhill
Youth Worker - Lib Hodes
Sessional Youth Worker - Rafael Bagott
Seasonal Worker - Ishrat Chowdhury
Hannah Marsden
I like doing yoga, tending to plants, eating cake, and listening to stories.
We live in a messy world that often doesn’t make sense to me. Dwellbeing is all about building knowledge and growing together, working out what really matters, and learning to live with the mess. I feel lucky to be part of it.
Edyta Czarnecka
I have lived in Shieldfield over 12 years and roughly 18 years in the United Kingdom. I’m originally from Poland.
I love art, photography, music, nature and people. I enjoy drawing, painting, gardening, travelling and capturing in my camera the world around me. Helping others is part of me.
I like to be part of Dwellbeing because I can use my skills to make positive changes in my incredible neighbourhood and for others.
Kaltouma Hassaballah
I have lived in Shieldfield for over 12 years. I am originally from Sudan. I enjoy meeting neighbours and growing plants and vegetables. I also enjoy learning new things.
I like being part of Dwellbeing because I get to meet people within my neighbourhood and I also enjoy the activities, like growing plants. I’ve also made a lot of new friends, and this has bonded our relationship and made us more confident in making an impact in our community. I also like that the children are involved in taking part of the activities, like drawing. Dwellbeing wants to make a better place and that's also what I want to do for this community. And a little group can make a big difference.
Mandy Robinson
I have been involved in community work for a number of years, supporting individuals and organisations to grow and learn and to develop and deliver the activities that they know will make a difference. Working with Dwellbeing Shieldfield is amazing. It is in an area I know well, doing something I love and with people who are full of energy and enthusiasm and focussed improving life for the community. When I'm not at work I enjoy crafting, music, walking the dog and spending time with my family.
Ishrat Chowdhury
I have been a consistent member of Dwellbeing Shieldfield since 2020. I'm a proud contributor to the Shieldfield Growers and an active participant in the Community Chefs Group as a chef. Recently, I've taken on the role of a Sheiling Group caretaker, where I collaborate closely with my colleagues, including Tigist, Kaltouma, Mandy, and Mo. In this position, we organize Neighborhood Care Walkaround to enhance the cleanliness of the area, introduce new greenery to empty spaces, and engage in various other activities aimed at enhancing the beauty of Shieldfield. Our teamwork has made my experience even more fulfilling since transitioning from a regular member to a staff member.
Tigist Belew Tegegne
I've resided in this neighborhood since 2016, and I'm fortunate to have wonderful neighbors, which makes me quite fond of this community. I originally hail from Ethiopia, where I worked as a teacher. However, I've now relocated here with a new job opportunity.
Over the past few years, I've been an active member of this community. I derive great pleasure from cooking, as well as from engaging with diverse individuals, engaging in discussions on various topics, and gaining knowledge from our conversations. Being a part of Dwellbeing brings me immense satisfaction.
I find joy in every moment and consider cooking my most cherished profession.
Izaak Gledhill
Growing up with sheep and hills for company, I moved to Newcastle 10 years ago and began working with and for communities on various creative projects.
I love working in Shieldfield with the rest of the Dwellbeing team, to connect and create with young people at the centre of all decisions made.
When not working as the Youth Programme Producer, I love walking, reading and seeing theatre with friends.
Liberty Hodes
I have been connected to Shieldfield for almost three years, first as a studio member at The NewBridge Project where I began working for the Shieldfield Youth Programme, becoming the Youth Worker in May 2024. I have loved developing relationships with Shieldfield families, and think it is one of the best places to be.
As well as being a youth worker I am an Artist and Musician, and I enjoy walking around new places, looking at buildings, and watching films.
Rafael Bagott
I have many passions. Music, marine life, percussion but most importantly bringing people together. I love to learn from people and hear their stories. and if you listen to young people they can give the best lessons and tell the best stories. That is why I do youth work.
Stewards
Val Middleton
Colin Gray
Ed Laschet
Helen Simmons
Andrew Wilson
Zainab Ghurair
Alvin Lewis
Val Middleton
I have lived in Shieldfield for 41 years. I enjoy history, travel, music, TV and nights out with friends. I like meeting people and learning new things. Dwellbeing is great for this and lots more.
Colin Gray
I have lived in Shieldfield for many years, and in Sandyford for over 30 years.
I enjoy reading, walking, music, films and watching television.
I like being part of Dwellbeing because I get to volunteer at events organised by Dwellbeing and doing so makes me feel part of the community. I have now made new friends through my involvement with it.
Ed Laschet
Hi my name is Ed. I've lived in the North East for about 15 years now and I'm proud to live in such an amazing corner of the UK. I really like the energy and positivity that comes from the members and staff that I meet. I think the work Dwellbeing does to bring community members together and to empower local people to get involved is brilliant to see.
Helen Simmons
I live in South Gosforth and I work in Shieldfield at Northumbria University. I think community is really important to a healthy and happy life.
I’m proud to be a Steward and be able to contribute my skills, positivity and creativity to Shieldfield. I love meeting new people and working together on projects which make the world a nicer place to be.
At Northumbria I research Innovation and Creativity with a particular interest in how they can enhance social justice, good health, wellbeing and joy. Outside of work I spend time with my husband and three kids, I like to paint, craft and spend time admiring nature
Andrew Wilson
Hello, I’m Andrew!
I was born in Newcastle in the early 1980s, but grew up in North-West Kent (hence the accent). I moved back to Newcastle in 2004 and am very proud of my ‘Geordie Jeans!'.
As an artist I have worked in Shieldfield over many years, forming strong personal and working relationships with Dwellbeing Shieldfield, Shieldfield Art Works, The Forum Café, Chilli Studios, and The Star and Shadow Cinema. I’m a studio holder at The Newbridge Project (since 2011) and have twice been a volunteer member of their programme committee.
I have been a friend of Dwellbeing Shieldfield since the beginning and am keen to support its membership in all areas of activity, but especially areas of mutual aid, peer-support and co-operative practice.
I currently live over in the West end as part of West End Housing Co-op, a member-led housing co-operative that provides safe, secure, and affordable housing in the west-end of the city.
Come and say hello!
Zainab Ghurair
I have been living in Shieldfield since April 2017. I enjoy cooking, travelling, and meeting new people. I joined the Stewards board to support our diverse community. A while back, I cooked for the local Summer Solstice and found it to be a great way to connect with people in my community and make new friends. I love creating healthy, delicious food and coming up with wonderful ideas to improve Shieldfield.
Alvin Lewis
As a new steward, I love the Shieldfield community and the great work that Dwellbeing Shieldfield do for the community. I’m a native Londoner who’s lived in the area for the last 6 years and I have seen the community get closer with people in the area. I love physical challenges such as races and powerlifting competitions, collecting vinyl and History. It’s a beautiful and strong community and I’m honoured to be a part of the community.
Shieling Working Group
Sarah Bird
Ahmad Hasan Karkoura
HarperPerry Architects
Helen Lunn
Kaltouma Hassaballah
Lydia Hiorns
Mahamat Younis
Ikbal Berk
Maria Hussaini
Sophie Stanton
Ikbal Berk
I have lived in Shieldfield for one year. I am a PhD researcher in the Architecture School of Newcastle University. I am originally from Turkey.
I enjoy going on small trips to discover new cities with my friends and trying new tastes.
I like being part of Dwellbeing because I can feel like a community member as an international student and help residents for the sake of the future of the area. Also, as my research interest is community participation in neighbourhoods, I can gain experience in community action and its management.
Sophie Stanton
I do not live in Shieldfield, I live in Gosforth, however, I work in Shieldfield at Ethical Partnership.
I am originally from South Shields, Tyne and Wear.
I enjoy taking part in community activities, travelling and art.
I like being part of Dwellbeing because I am able to apply my knowledge as a Planner to help the group move forward in planning for Shieldfield, as well as developing my community activism and creativity ethos within my career. I have been able to meet a whole diversity of residents and volunteers, whom I have already learned so much from in how we can strive to make areas of the inner city more equitable, safe, and sustainable. This has been an invaluable experience, and I look forward to the future of working with this group to make a real difference within the community.
Lydia Hiorns
I have worked in Shieldfield for four years. I am originally from Chippenham - lovingly called 'Chips and Ham'. I enjoy printmaking and drawing, baking and eating scones, gardening, singing at church, dancing, coastal walking and living life. I like being part of Dwellbeing because there are such incredible people to meet and spend time with.
Maria Hussaini
I’ve lived in Battlefield for the past 14 years. I am originally from Slovakia where I grew up on the home farm with plenty of fields and vegetable plots to look after, so I love to be able to grow my own veggies again and Dwellbeing is playing a huge part in giving me that opportunity. Dwellbeing brings community, nature and for some of us a new experience all together.
Ahmad Hasan Karkoura
I have lived in Shieldfield for 7 years.
I'm originally from Syria.
I enjoy walking, fishing and gardening.
I like to be part of Dwellbeing Shieldfield.
Helen Lunn
I have lived in Shieldfield for 22 years.
I am originally from London.
I enjoy music and drama and writing and reading and good food and being silly and many things besides.
I like being part of Dwellbeing because it connects me with neighbours and enables me to work creatively with other people with the aim of our mutual flourishing.
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