Meet the Team
The staff and trustees at Caring Together North Yorkshire are extremely dedicated, and each excellent additions to the team.
Ann Ferguson
Chief Officer
I joined as the Chief Officer in July 2024. My work background includes secondary teaching (albeit briefly!) and then progressing a career in social care. This included areas such as Sheltered Housing, Telecare, residential care, supporting people with learning disabilities, and re-ablement. I have worked in the voluntary sector and for local authorities.
I like to relax by knitting which is almost constant, baking cakes and bread, and walking in the countryside. Travel features in my life too, including France and, more recently, discovering Italy.
Laura Brown
Coordinator
I moved from North Devon to Yorkshire in early 2025 and joined Caring Together as the Whitby Co-Ordinator a couple months later. My career history has been primarily in Sales and Marketing for many years, but a role within the local authority within Adult Social Services led me to this position which has made me feel, quite quickly, a part of this wonderful community and is proving to be hugely rewarding.
In my spare time I’m an addict of fresh air and the outdoors; a keen walker and like to challenge myself with a little wild swimming.
Heather Witty
Coordinator
I’m married with four children, and family is really important to me. I love spending time with my grandchildren and making the most of simple moments together. I originally trained as a teacher and taught maths, science, and food technology, which I found really rewarding and helped shape the way I support and encourage others.
In July 2023, I joined Caring Together as a Coordinator, a role that suits me well as I enjoy helping people, staying organised, and bringing things together. Outside of work, I enjoy reading and walking, and I’m especially passionate about gardening. I find it a great way to unwind and love seeing things grow and flourish.
Sam Berriman
I joined in November 2020. Local to Kirkbymoorside, I am a married mum with 2 children. Originally I was a travel agent for 12 years before starting a family, where I took some time off to raise my young family. I love reading and doing crafts at home.
Jacquie Cole
I joined as a Development Worker in November 2020. My work background spans journalism, community outreach, education and libraries. I love variety and also work as a library assistant and ceremonies officer. My favourite ways to relax include knitting, pottering in the garden, cuddling my black cat Bramble – and listening to The Archers.
Natalie Fothergill
I joined Caring Together in 2025 and feel grateful to work alongside volunteers, carers and colleagues within such a supportive local community. My background is in therapeutic support roles, and I am passionate about wellbeing, connection and community. In my spare time I love being outdoors walking, exploring, and connecting to nature whenever I can.
Miranda Vasey
I joined the team in December 2025. My background is varied: most recently I worked with a local mental health charity, running pain management sessions and a walking group, and previously I spent many years in education, teaching and pastoral roles, and in arts and tourism marketing.
I’ve also volunteered with Childline and the North York Moors National Park, rewarding in different ways. Outside work, I play tennis, cook and spend time in the countryside with my young Welsh terrier, who is quite sure he’s in charge.
Our Trustees
David Brewster
Chair
I started as a volunteer in 2005 and became a Trustee of the charity shortly afterwards. Originally, I trained as an ecologist and worked in various National Parks finishing at the North York Moors in 2001. I then started working with families of children with disabilities and became the Chief Officer of Ryedale Special Families. In that position I worked closely with Ryedale Carers Support, as it was then, helping to ensure that the delivery of support for Ryedale residents was properly integrated. I am a great believer in the benefits of exercise to your well-being and have led the charities’ walks programme for the last 8 years. I am also a keen gardener, love music and have a lifelong interest in both wildlife and fossils.
Robert Carrack
Treasurer
Originally an accountant with British Steel Corporation but following closure of the sector I moved into retraining disabled people into accountancy work at a residential college.
Latterly in my career I worked in the Civil Service in a variety of roles including Government Welfare statistics and the training of staff particularly in diversity and equality
I have helped in the voluntary sector as a volunteer for almost 30 years in a variety of projects.
Nicci Engelbrecht
I joined Caring Together in February 2025 as a volunteer for IT Buddy, befriending services and the Fisherfolk Breakfast. I thoroughly enjoy giving to my community and helping those in need. My background comprise Health, Safety, Risk Management and Assurance. In my spare time, I love cooking with my husband and exploring the magical little villages and breathtaking views in Yorkshire.
John Humphreys
I have been a Trustee since 2021 and really enjoy helping the Charity in several different ways – ranging from working on a couple of sub committees to being involved in the interviewing process when we take on new staff. I am from an agricultural background having worked in the crop protection, seed and fertiliser industry for many years prior to retirement. I’m also a Trustee/Director of Plant Heritage and an Exam Chair at BASIS Registration Ltd.
Helena Megson
I moved to North Yorkshire in 2017 after 40yrs working at grass roots and management levels in Health and Social Care in Berkshire.
Caring Together offered me a way to get to know the area and help someone who would benefit from company on a regular basis so I joined as a volunteer. Overtime I saw how the Trustee board supported the charity and offered my services. In 2024 I became a Trustee.
Sue Sutermeister
In 1993 I joined what was RCVA as a volunteer with the carers support team. A couple of years later we became a charity and I was asked to be a trustee and I have been one ever since.
It has been an honour to be with such a dedicated group of people who never cease to do their best to improve the lives of those many carers and lonely people in this rural area.
My hobbies are tennis, cycling, bridge, piano playing, jigsaw puzzles and sudoku.
Liz Midgley
I’m a Yorkshire country girl through and through!
I worked in Pickering Library for about 35 years and loved it; every day was different and I met lots of lovely people. It was while at work that I heard about Ryedale Carers Support and thought it sounded a wonderful service so, when I retired, I started to volunteer.
I started visiting a couple of ladies, taking them out for a coffee and had a great time. Over the years I’ve also helped with tea and tunes, the farmers breakfast (unfortunately Covid brought that to an end), provided transport for the virtual walk annual meetings, walked miles with the walking group and am still visiting a couple of people.
A new chapter has now begun – we have joined with Whitby, have a new name Caring Together North Yorkshire, but the wonderful service will continue to grow and thrive.
Mike Rhodes
I worked in the NHS for over 35 years as a Hospital Manager in South Yorkshire and am now gainfully retired. Moved to the Whitby area 7 or so years ago and not looked back since! My main hobby is dinghy sailing at Scaling Dam and love being out and about walking with our dog on the coastline and into the moors. I became a volunteer for Caring Together Whitby over 6 years ago which I really enjoy. Subsequently, I became a Trustee a year ago as i became more involved with the Charity. I am also an active volunteer on WetWheels Yorkshire based in Whitby which enables disabled people to experience power boating on the sea it being fully accessible to wheelchair users and non wheelchair users alike.
