About
Diversity Voice is a registered charity in Somerset. We champion intercultural understanding and provide support and services to prevent marginalisation and work towards equality for all.
The charity was established in 2015 but draws on experience from 2008, when it was formed as an experience-led community group. Almost all of our team are multilingual and have experience of living and working in the UK as migrants.
Diversity Voice does not receive core funding and relies on income from project-led initiatives. We greatly appreciate all those who support our work.
A few (thousand) things we did in 2019/20
Our Team
Operations
Suzanne Todd
Welcome Hub Co-ordinator / Community Support Worker
M- T -Th 9:00-15:00 W – 9:00 16:30
Suzanne is one of our newest members to the team and has worked with individuals and many nationalities during her 22 years working in the travel sector, where she has travelled to many parts of the world.
She has worked alongside the charity ‘Singing children of Africa / Educate the Kids’ and been a host mum to the children while they have been in the UK performing for the charity and raising money to build more schools / educational facilities when they return home to Kenya and their families.
Her travel and life experiences bring attributes to Diversity Voice and the team, and she is happy to learn new projects.
Amarachi Mbanaso
Project and Community Engagement Worker
M-F 9:30-14:30
She holds a master’s degree in Mass communication; her background in media and communications, project Management combined with her extensive experience running a charity, positions her as an impactful leader in community engagement and project management.
Her expertise adds a unique dimension to her skill set in Diversity Voice.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Team
Lucy Grist
Open Mental Health Project Co-Ordinator
Lucy’s mission is to integrate the wealth of shared experiences and professional insights within the Open Mental Health alliance.
She is particularly focused on engaging with the D/deaf and hard of hearing community, carers and people who matter, the LGBTQIA+ community, trans and gender-diverse individuals, those with invisible disabilities or chronic illnesses, the neurodiverse community, and those who are blind or partially sighted.
Her commitment to trauma-informed care and coproduction is the driving force behind her work. This passion originates from her own mental health journey, during which she has been supported by both community services and inpatient care. She has been heavily involved in the coproduction element of the Clinical Model alongside Somerset Foundation Trust and is also participating in a research project to understand iatrogenic harm to those with complex emotional needs in inpatient settings.
Olga Rybak
Translator and Interpreter Ukrainian/Russian
M 9:30-15:00, T 10:30-14:30, W 10:30-14:30, Th 10:30-14:30
Olga is a qualified teacher from Ukraine who has worked in the education field for 16 years, teaching children of all ages, as well as adults. Has recently obtained Level 5 TEFL Certificate.
She is an experienced interpreter and translator fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, English and German . She is very keen to provide support to people who came to England under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and is always happy to act with empathy, compassion and to be a welcoming, friendly single point of contact for everyone.
Kateryna Kulomza
Interpreter Ukrainian/Russian
T:10:00-5:00
Kateryna is a qualified teacher, with experience in teaching and supporting students from diverse backgrounds or varying degrees of ability. She has worked in childcare and in social media and marketing. She uses her skills to help individuals who came to England under the Homes for Ukraine program.
She has got her Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature. Kateryna is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, English, and also knows German.
Yuliia Semernina
Interpreter Ukrainian/Russian
M 10:00 – 13:00, W 10:00-13:00, Th 9:30-13:00, F 10:00-13:00
Yuliia has a bachelor’s degree in Philology (English), which she achieved from Kharkiv University of Humanities ‘People’s Ukrainian Academy’. She has an experience in translating and interpreting spoken or written language in real time between people who speak different languages (Ukrainian/Russian/English) ensuring effective communication.
As an interpreter she works with live conversations, speeches, or events, ensuring that people who speak different languages can understand each other. She plays a crucial role in providing interpreting and translating skills to convey meaning accurately and quickly.
Wellbeing practitioners
Tosin Mafolasere
Wellbeing Practitioner
Tosin is currently a trainee counsellor, with a background in Coaching and Design, which has given her a unique approach to supporting personal growth and well-being. Tosin’s passion lies in helping individuals feel empowered, balanced, and motivated to reach their fullest potential, through tailored wellbeing practices or mindful, solution-focused counselling.
Iryna Biliurko
Wellbeing Practitioner
Iryna has a master’s degree in psychology, which she achieved from the Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy in Ukraine. With her experience, she has developed a deep understanding of career counseling, and has helped numerous individuals to find their career paths. She specializes in providing career guidance, where she advises clients on various aspects such as training and motivation. Iryna also has experience in counseling the unemployed, helping them to manage their emotional and psychological state during the job search process.
EAL Team
Alison Legg
Support Worker, EAL
Alison is a certified TEFL teacher who specializes in teaching young learners.
She’s also bilingual, with qualifications in secretarial work in both French and German. Having lived in Germany and Jakarta, Indonesia, Alison spent her spare time volunteering at an international school.
She enjoys participating in local community organizations and is a regular volunteer at a children’s playgroup.
Joanna Mason
EAL Co-ordinator
Joanna has gained a wealth of experience from living and working in Poland, America and England.
She has worked with many different people of various ages, nationalities and cultural backgrounds, as well as having a degree in Sociology and 9 years’ experience working in an educational setting. She is also fluent in Polish and English.
Joanna’s passion, range of experience and dynamic character will ensure that she has a positive influence at Diversity Voice
English Team
Elizabeth Conlon
English Teacher
M,F 9:00 – 13:00
Lisa is a dual national British American and has taught ESOL in New York, Milan, London, and the Southwest. She facilitates language learning through real life scenarios, using role play, and theatre games for an element of fun.
Kirsty Jones
English Teacher
W 9:00 – 17:00
Kirsty is a CELTA-qualified teacher with extensive experience teaching both children and adults since 2012. Having lived and worked in Spain for eight years, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges of adapting to a new country, having once faced these challenges herself. Passionate about creating engaging and personalized lessons, Kirsty enjoys incorporating games and movement to enhance the learning experience.
Meet our trustees!
Stronger together: securing the future of vital support for diverse and displaced communities in Somerset and beyond
The trustees and staff of the Community Council for Somerset (CCS) are delighted to welcome Diversity Voice into the CCS family.
