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.

Gordon Mitchell

Governance Trustee

Gordon is married to Tanya with 2 grown up sons and has lived in Shotley Bridge for 33 years.

His career started in nursing leading to Principle Lecturer in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at Teesside University and Associate Dean looking after governance, clinical placements.

Brought up a Christian he was involved as part of the PCC of St. John’s Church at Snods Edge and chairman. He was also a member of St. John’s Hall and chairman until about 3 years ago.

Now retired Gordon currently helps at our local Trussell Trust food bank and volunteers in the kitchen at the local Willow Burn hospice.

Ruth Foreman

Fundraising Trustee

Ruth has lived and worked locally most of her life. She is happily married with 2 grown up girls and 2 grandchildren.

Her professional background, prior to retirement, was working with children and families within health and education.

She has always been involved in community events and love to encourage and help people to achieve their own goals.

Her faith is an integral part of her life and she is excited with the opportunities ahead in her Trustee role. Ruth believes everyone should be able to have a home, a place of belonging and to feel loved and valued.

Ruth enjoys spending time on her new allotment and love to travel.

David Stewart

NEW Finance Trustee

I was fortunate to be born into a loving Christian home. My 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 my life to Jesus at an early age I have always attended Church and helped lead youth work while at Church in Stockton when studying at Durham Uni.

I worked at Deloitte in Cambridge where I continued youth work & lead home group meetings, and assist in the Church treasury.

My wife Chloe & I married in 2022 and moved to Hexham last year, happy to be back up North.

Dean Titterton

NEW 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!

Nicki Diamond

Empowerment Worker

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

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

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

My faith is an integral part of my life; I am on the pastoral team within the County Durham Christian Life Centre (CDCLC) Church.

Eileen Martin

Empowerment Worker

I am 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.  I have always lived and worked locally and am married with two grown-up children and 2 teenage grandchildren.   

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

I am most content when surrounded by nature and love spending time watching our native animals and birds.