Who We Are

Bob Jamieson

Co-Chair and Director of DPUN CIC

Hello My Name is Bob I am a power chair user married to Sue. We have 3 Children and 8 Grandchildren. Both Sue & I have been on Direct Payments for a lot of years now and my main Personal Assistant, “Ray”, has been with me over 14 years. I have been very involved in disability rights issues for 45 years.Dee and I are very passionate about DPUN as we believe Disabled People must have Choice and Control in our lives. My hobbies are collecting model buses and going out in my power chair to county parks. I was elected co-chair with Dee Frost.

David Matthews

Vice Chair and Director of DPUN CIC

David Matthews - A father of 2, an individual budgets reciepent and previously a direct payment user. An ex-business man from the insurance broking industry with some 28 years experience of managing his own business, controlling his own staff and tracking sales.

Sandra Shearer

Co-ordinator of DPUN CIC

Sandra Shearer was first employed as Coordinator of DPUN in October 2004. She works part-time in this role. Sandra thoroughly enjoys her job and has made many friends within the network.

Hobbies include collecting antiques, photography, and gardening.

Committee

Members

Some of the committee

Top : Maureen Murphy, Sue Jaimeson and Mary Redman
Center : Norma Huxter, Carol Smith
Bottom : Russell Bucher, Monica Butcher and Sarah Britton

Other members not shown:

Clare Rimmer

Website Co-ordinator

Clare joined DPUN in 2005, and has most recently worked for DPUN on a freelance basis. Clare has now taken on the role as Website Co-ordinator.

Clare is married and has two children, Lauren and Max aged 6 and 4 respectively.

Russell Butcher

Co-chair and Director of DPUN CIC

Hello my name is Russell Butcher. I am married to Monica. We live in Clacton by the beach. It is lovely here in the summer but cold in the winter. But it is very quiet here and we love it. We have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Their names are Jodie, Jade, and Shane. We visit Jodie most weekends. She lives near Lowestoft. We see Jade and Shane most months because they live in Hertford shire.

I had a road traffic accident 1986 where it left me with very bad spinal problems.
I first met Monica at Garston Manor which is a rehab Hospital.

When I was younger I played cricket and football. I have worked as a retail Manger at Luton airport for about 6 years. Also I have worked as an area Manager for Martins news agents for 7 years. Also worked as a general Manager of a Garage Complex.

I work with my wife. We work very closely together, as we belong to 19 groups all to do with the disability movement.

I came with Monica to the DPUN many years ago. We have learnt a lot from DPUN. When we first went to DPUN we did not known anything. But through listening to other people we have learnt a lot. I think I can now help others? I am very passionate about DPUN. I have been very involved in the disability movement for many years.

My Hobbies are Photography, and watching sport, especially cricket and motor cycling. But I do not have much time. Because we do so much voluntary work.

Monica Butcher

Director of DPUN CIC

Hello my name is Monica Butcher.

I am married to Russell. We live in Clacton; we are one road from the beach. It is lovely in the summer but can be very cold in the winter. We love it here, it is so quiet. I have 3 children and three Grandchildren. Their names are Jodie, Jade, and Shane. We visit Jodie every other week as she lives near Lowestoft. We see Jade and Shane about every other month because they live in Hertfordshire.

I love playing the Wii with Jodie and Russell. But granddad almost always wins.

When I was two years old I became disabled; in those days it was very hard for my parents they had to carry me everywhere. I was not allowed into School until I was11, because I did not look right. But it did not hold me back.
I trained as a tailor at Owen Wards in Colchester. I then worked 25 years in the N.H.S. Until I went into a wheelchair.
I have the most wonderful Husband. We work very closely together, as we belong to 19 groups, all to do with the disabled movement.

I have been on direct payments for many years. I first came to DPUN a few years ago. I have learnt a lot from DPUN. When I first went I did not known anything. But through listening to other people I know where to go now. I can now help others who were in the same boat as me. I am very passionate about DPUN and all it does. I have been very involved in the disabled movement for the last 25 years.

Hobbies are cross stitching and puzzles, like word search. But I do not have much time. Because I do so much voluntary work.

Brenda Turner

Admin

My name is Brenda Turner. I am 61 years old and am married to Kelvin, have 2 married daughters, Joanne and Geraldine, and 2 grandsons, Harry 12 and Jack 9.

I was PA/Admin support in my last company, the Learning and Skills Council Essex and for the European Social Fund team, where I had been for almost 15 years and thoroughly enjoyed it, making friends who I ‘do’ lunch with on a regular basis.

I don’t actually have time for hobbies because I am so busy doing all sort of things.

I started working for DPUN last July as a temp and became a fully employed part time member of staff, as of 1 January 2009.