Our Board
Annette Williams - Board Chair
Annette has over 30 years experience in the social care sector with extensive experience of working with BME children and their families.
She is excited by the work that SAWN has done and continues to do because she is passionate about uplifting and supporting women who have experienced disadvantages.
Rose Kirunda - Trustee
Rose is a qualified Social Worker practicing for over ten years within the adult social care sector.
Rose is passionate about helping women find their independence and becoming self-sustaining and helping them find the resources and skills to reach their full potential.
Tendayi Madzuzu - Trustee
Tendayi is a Community Researcher and Community Connector. She has over 14 years of experience in community work in various roles including Management.
Tendayi is interested in the social, political, and economic liberation of women. She is also passionate about exploring alternative ways of thinking.
Michelle Leacock - Secretary
Michelle works with children and their families.
She strongly believes building relationships is very important. She also enjoys listening to music as it brings people together.
The SAWN Team
Rose Ssali - Chief Executive Officer/Founder
Rose is the founder of SAWN, she is passionate about women and families having a voice in issues concerning them and their future.
Rose holds a Master’s Degree in English and a post-graduate Certificate from Manchester Metropolitan University in Asset-Based
Community Approaches (working with people) and Undergraduate in Social Sciences. Rose also holds an ILM Award in Leadership and Management.
She has trained in Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) and a
counselling certificate and various related training.
Rose has been working within the African communities in Greater Manchester for 15 years. Her skills include advocacy, advice, training, and one-to-one support in various issues affecting the African community like Immigration, FGM, domestic violence, parenting, money matters, and harmful practices.
Rose is also the chair of Mama Health and Poverty Partnership -MHaPP, a partnership of 14 Black women-led organisations that provide services for Black women in Greater Manchester.
Rose is also a member of the Lankelly Chase Greater Manchester system changers andrepresents justice and community gathering for African women.
Karen Saville Croft - Wellbeing and Inclusion Lead
Karen has over 40 years of experience in the health, social care, and voluntary sector. She has worked in a variety of communities and is a passionate advocate with and for people, challenging injustice and using her lived experiences to bring about positive change both personal and systemic.
Audrey Murphy - Programmes and Engagement Lead
housing, supporting people with complex needs and community development.
Audrey is passionate about injustice and providing opportunities to people who wouldn’t normally have them.
Jonathan Kafeero - Furniture HUB Operations Manager
Jonathan has been the backbone of SAWN since its formation, he has supported with logistics on a voluntary basis until he took the role of Furniture HUB operations manager.
He is passionate about supporting individuals to achieve their full potential. He commented ‘I like to see people’s lives transformed for the better’.
Lillian Musiitwa- Finance and HR Manager
Lillian has worked with vulnerable children and their families for over ten years in social care.
She has volunteered with SAWN for several years before taking on the role of Finance and HR Manager. She is passionate about supporting and empowering women and likes to see them achieving their full potential.
Stuart Quinn- Ecommerce and Retail Development Lead
Stuart has worked in a variety of retail and visual merchandise roles. He also has a wealth of experience of online sales.
He has lots of exciting new plans to bring to SAWN to help raise the charities profile and help the community.
Ruth Mbera - SAWN Associate
Barbara Nambuya - Finance Support and Mentor
Barbara is a qualified Accountant and certified Internal Auditor.
She worked for several years within the microfinance industry and has done outreach work with women’s community groups.