Our Team
Eleni Venaki
Director
Eleni leads the team and is responsible for overseeing the direction of The Comfrey Project, fundraising and financial management.
Mike Blenkarn
Administration and Finance Officer
Mike provides administrative support across the team and coordinates the use of our spaces for our various events, sessions and workshops.
Hossein Elahi Boroujeni
Session Coordinator (Culture Hub)
Hossein originally came to The Comfrey Project as a volunteer himself. Having started his Comfrey career leading a research project, he now coordinates the weekly Culture Hub.
Mufida Abdualla
Session Coordinator (Language & Skills Cafe)
Previously a Comfrey Project volunteer, Mufida now runs the weekly Language and Skills Café, as well as providing support on our research project and other regular events.
Tessa Conder
Volunteer Coordinator
Tessa is the first point of contact for new people at The Comfrey Project. Tessa oversees the registration and induction of new participants, referrals, and volunteers. She provides oversight and support for all of our volunteers throughout their Comfrey journey.
Hakan Akarli
Bridge Builder
The Bridge Builders are members of Lankelly Chase Foundation’s Gateshead Coordination Team, which is hosted by The Comfrey Project and other partners in the Gateshead area. Their role is to build engagement and integration between the refugee communities they are part of, the local community and local services.
Eric Bamela
Bridge Builder
The Bridge Builders are members of Lankelly Chase Foundation’s Gateshead Coordination Team, which is hosted by The Comfrey Project and other partners in the Gateshead area. Their role is to build engagement and integration between the refugee communities they are part of, the local community and local services.
Our Trustees
Penny Schofield (Chair)
Mulubrhan Bahta
Kevin Douglas
Navid Hadadi
Stephanie Nelson
Harold Norcott
Sally Young