Meet the Team - Trustees
Trustee - Chairperson
Sue Mort
I have over 25 years of experience as a practising Qualified Habilitation Specialist. During my career I led a team, teaching mobility, orientation, independent living skills, and supporting the wellbeing of children and young people in a Local Authority, covering mainstream, specialist, and Further Education settings. I work freelance and have been part of the strategic development of the Yorkshire and Humber tracker tool, in addition to serving on the executive board for Habilitation VIUK at regional and national level.
I am a committed trustee, currently Chairing our fabulous Society, however in my ‘spare’ time I am care-taker of two tortoises, 3 ducks, a flock of chickens an acre of growing garden, along with a rusty old camper van, ‘Harriet’, touring Britain’s coastlines when time allows!
Trustee - Treasurer
Peter Benson
I have been a trustee and treasurer of the Society for 20 years. After studying Textiles and Management at the University of Leeds, I joined my family business, John Horsfall & Sons, where I have served as Managing Director since 1997. My family has a long-standing connection with the Society, with four generations proudly serving its cause. My work has taken me across the globe, often with my family, creating unforgettable experiences. Most recently, we’ve celebrated the arrival of our first grandchild, Darcy.
Trustee
Suzanne Mitchell
My name is Suzanne and I became a trustee during lockdown due to a chance encounter with a staff member.
I have a long interest in sight loss, previously managed a Town Centre optical practice along with my husband Duncan for 17 years. My retail experience, networking connections with other town Center businesses and recruitment skills have hopefully been valuable to the society.
Now retired I enjoy spending time in Cyprus, and have recently completed a marathon alphabetical tour. Along with two friends we have visited a different place each year starting with Amsterdam ending in Zagreb which gave us the opportunity to visit a lot of places we would never seen.
I am looking forward to developing our new town Center hub and bringing lots of new opportunities and activities to the sight loss community
Trustee
Hilary Newton
I joined Halifax Society for the Blind in October of 2021 as a Trustee after 38 years in the commercial world as a Management Consultant initially with PwC and lately with IBM. In my spare time I enjoy walking, travel and embroidery.
Trustee
Sidra Kauser
Trustee
Tegan Darby
I have been involved in supporting people with a visual impairment for over 15 years, firstly in a voluntary role, and then latterly qualifying as a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist.
Day to day I support adults with sight loss across Yorkshire by teaching practical skills to enable independence and by promoting wellbeing. I strongly believe that alongside rehab support, the impact that local organisations such as HSB have can be invaluable for people.
I particularly love that HSB has such a variety of services available, and I look forward to becoming more involved as I begin my role as a trustee.
Trustee
Colin Hutchinson
I spent twenty years as an eye surgeon in Halifax and Huddersfield, and the previous ten years in Aberdeen, trying to make sure people had access to treatment, advice and support to combat sight-threatening conditions and live as full and independent lives as possible.
I had been very aware of the part that Halifax Society for the Blind plays in so many people’s lives that, when I retired, I needed little persuasion to join the Society as a Trustee, and contribute to the expansion of the Society’s work.
The plans to reorganise hospital services across Calderdale and Huddersfield prompted me to get involved in local government and I was elected to Calderdale Council in 2018, representing Skircoat Ward. As I hoped, this has given me a chance to influence the shape of some of the local health services, using my experience of previous service changes. As a Councillor I am also able to alert the Society to changes in the local area, and in public services, that might have an impact on members, as well as trying to spot any potential for the Society to work with the Council or other organisations in joint projects that might benefit members.
With two sons, and two grandsons living close by to keep me grounded, and a love of gardening, cooking, reading, music and the countryside, life is busy, but fun.