About us

Caroline Crawford

Chair of Trustees and Marketing

Caroline works full time as the managing director in our family business in transport and logistics in Cramlington.

She is a mum with 2 grown up children and has been married to Phil for 30 years!

A proud north east girl brought up in Northumberland but have lived in Snods Edge for over 10 years and have a passion for helping people in the north east.

Caroline has been a committed Christian all her life and currently serves as a Street Pastor in Newcastle City Centre on a Saturday night.

Karen Hall

Trustee

Karen has been involved with Core Foundations from the start. As a friendship and support volunteer in our first home in Consett, she understands  the charity's work firsthand. 

Professionally, Karen has been a teacher for over 30 years, passionate about educating young people and building their life chances. 

Karen is married and mother to three grown-up children as well as owning two dogs, a tortoise, and a fish. Her interests include reading, walking, and bell ringing. She is also a Street Pastor and supports a range of chrities in various ways. 

Neil Strike

Trustee

Neil was brought up in a Christian home  and in a church founded by his Grandfather. 

After being employed in the chemical industry he worked for Tees Valley Community Church, followed by leading Hexham Community Church for 16.5 years, from which he has recently retired. He is on the apostolic team Taking Ground and Chair of Directors for the charity. 

Neil has been married for 47 years, has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. 

David Stewart

Finance Trustee

David was fortunate to be born into a loving Christian home. His parents have always been, and continue to be, an inspiration through the way they love & care for their family, friends, and Church community.

After giving his life to Jesus at an early age, he has always attended Church and helped lead youth work while at Church in Stockton when studying at Durham Uni.

He worked in Cambridge where he continued  youth work & to lead home group meetings, and assist in the Church treasury.

He and his wife married in 2022 and moved to the local area the following year, happy to be back up North.

Dean Titterton

Trustee

Dean migrated from the Midlands to the North East owing to a career move in 2009.

Dean's mission and desire is to understand the issues that face those individuals and communities that are most at risk in the local community and help bring the 'Love of God' to them in a real and purposeful way.

As a leader, his key focus and strength is to help equip others to navigate key decisions that can help deliver better communities.

Dean's background is in Business and for the last 25 years as a senior leader in the world of the voluntary sector/charities.

Dean is currently the CEO of YMCA North Tyneside Group a North East charity that works with young people and communities across a diverse range of services.

When not being run ragged at home by his beautiful wife and three girls, Dean likes to escape by playing golf and going on the odd run. Dean also likes holidays, going out for meals and of course, having the odd glass of wine..

Phil Crawford

Founder & CEO

Phil has worked for large corporate businesses in retail for over 30 years.

Over these last 2 years he has been drawn to working in the homeless sector and joined the Hope into Action team as their North East and Scotland Representative, helping extend their growth.

Keen to see this excellent model rolled out in his home area he had the vision for Core Foundations.

Phil has been a committed Christian all his life and currently serves as a Street Pastor in Newcastle City Centre on a Saturday night.

Phil doesn’t have much spare time but loves anything sports, in particular golf and rugby!

John Morgan

Governance Trustee

John is a solicitor and has worked for the last twenty years in the commerical property sector in Newcastle. Throughout that time he has been involved in a wide range of businesses and charities, and have worled with various local food banks and other voluntary organisations on their property requirements in particular. 

Away from the day job, John volunteers with and is a trustee for Boys Brigade, helps to lead a company in Gateshead, and works with the Tyneside group of companies administering work done by local companies collectively. 

He is very involved with his local church, Hope Community Church in Low Fell, and wears many hats including leading worship, sound, and a home group, as well as being a trustee and part of the church leadership team. 

John is married to Jennie and they have two teenagers. 

Nicki Diamond

Empowerment Worker

Nicki moved to the North East in 2016 from Kent, happily married with two grown up daughters and three grandchildren.

Her professional experience includes working within the NHS, where she supported children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Additionally, she has been with the Durham Christian Partnership food bank, providing assistance to individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

She have always been involved with charities that support people who are going through difficulties. NIcki loves empowering people to turn their lives around and have a life beyond their wildest dreams, and believes everyone deserves the chance to be healthy and happy.

Eileen Martin

Admin Support & Safeguarding Lead

Eileen was fortunate to have been brought up in a Christian home and to have been supported and influenced by many people of great faith throughout my life.  She has always lived and worked locally and is married with two grown-up children and two teenage grandchildren.   

She began her working life working for the NHS before leaving to train to be a teacher.  Eileen retired from Headship in 2019 but continued to work in a variety of roles within a local Academy Trust.  Although she loved her work, she felt restless to serve God more fully and in 2024 was delighted to be appointed to serve God as an Empowerment Worker for Core Foundations, now becoming the Safeguarding Lead. 

Eileen is most content when surrounded by nature and loves spending time watching native animals and birds.