Our Trustees

AMANDA STRONG – ACTING SECRETARY

I am delighted to be appointed a Trustee of Children First Derby.

My passion for this local charity began a number of years ago and in 2019 I chose Children First Derby to be one of the five charities to receive £5,000 from the Mercia Image Print ‘30 days of giving’ challenge – which raised £30k in 30 days for local charities.

After recently stepping down as owner and Managing Director of Mercia Image Print after 32 years, I am looking to utilise my passion to succeed, business skills, and contacts to help raise awareness and further support this incredible charity.

I am committee member of Derbys Finest – a group which encourages and supports women in business. And I have three children, now young adults.

I understand the challenges of bringing up three children under difficult circumstances and I am passionate about being able to help the charity support vulnerable children, young people, and families across Derbyshire.

I am excited to be part of this vital local charity and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Amanda joined the board of trustees in November 2021 and we’re sure she’ll be a huge asset to the Children First Derby team.

MAURA TEAGER MBE – TRUSTEE

I am a nurse by profession and have gained extensive experience throughout my NHS career across Primary Care, Acute and Community Hospitals, Mental Health and Children & Young People Services mainly across Derbyshire.

I have previously held posts on NHS Trust Boards in Executive and Non Executive roles and as Deputy Chair of a Local Authority Safeguarding Board.

Post retirement I have continued to be active in a range of volunteer roles in the public sector including Derbyshire Criminal and Family Courts and as Lead Governor at the University Hospitals of Derby & Burton. Across these roles I have retained my passion and commitment in reaching out to and advocating for some of our most vulnerable communities including children and young people.

My professional and personal networks enable me to continue to explore and influence strategy at a local and regional level. I am honoured and delighted to be invited to support this worthwhile and amazing charity in this way.

I am married with one adult son, enjoy walking our beautiful countryside, and love volunteering at the Derbyshire Children’s Hospital tea bar which is one of my reality checks on what can truly matter!

JASON COUPLAND – TREASURER

I grew up in Derby city centre and now live in the city with my wife and our two grown up children. Derby is in my heart, and I fondly remember my childhood, but as a parent I became acutely aware that not all families have the same opportunities and needs. I am really proud to be a member of the charity team and feel that being part of a community based charity like Children First Derby means that we can help support some of our families and young children that are most in need.

It has been a privilege to have a had career in supporting schools for the past 20 years. I have been able to experience how day to day decisions can directly impact the opportunities and experiences for young people.

I have been supporting schools as part of the Local Authority finance team, working directly in Primary and Secondary schools and more recently I have been working as a Chief Finance Officer at a school in Derby.

I have over a decade of experience of being a trustee on the governing board at a number of Derby schools. I quickly discovered that trustees can make a huge difference, and with the right support, they can help the young people get the most from their opportunities. I have tried to use this as the focus in my support and have helped to a number of schools, some of which have are in the most deprived areas of the city and have faced extremely challenging issues.

I pride myself on building positive relationships so we are able to work together as a community to ensure that the young people have the best possible life chances.