Paula Yassine

I am originally from Chesterfield – but don’t hold that against me! We are neighbours after all.

I’ve worked in the charity sector for over 30 years. Initially, I worked with the National Trust in Wales delivering training and developing skills to the long-term unemployed who were seeking new directions in life. It was here that I realised how much better everyone felt just being outdoors in nature, being active, learning new things and being part of a community.

Moving to London I carried this passion with me and worked for other charities that used gardening, nature based art and food (of course!) to support wellbeing, reduce loneliness amongst local communities that experienced health inequalities, disadvantage, ill health and isolation.

I was a medical professional but realised that there are many ways to help people feel better and what SAGE Sheffield offers certainly does that. I’m so looking forward to working with everyone in the SAGE community to ensure that the garden, the art and the singing continues to thrive, nurture and grow. I’ve even had my first singing session – which was great and I’ve not been in a choir since school!

Being a Director of a charity has its challenges and the current funding streams available to us is getting smaller and there is greater competition for those funds. But there is a need for what we at SAGE can offer people who may be at their lowest, feeling cut off from their community and needing that warmth and support that is waiting for them at the allotments and in the art and singing groups. I am looking forward to that challenge.

Things to know about me: Love Gardening, Hedgehogs, Tiny pollinators, The Land around us, Historic houses. I have a rather dubious taste in music, books and paranormal programmes.