Our Staff

Sandra Coulter, CEO bio

Sandra Coulter, CEO

I was born in Basingstoke to Geordie parents and moved with them to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1981 where I have lived since.  I graduated in 1999 with a degree in Sociology and began my working life with Procter & Gamble before moving to IBM.  I became a mum in 2004 and launched my own business.

I founded Silverline Memories in 2013 and brought together my business skills and knowledge with my personal experience of caring for family members with Lewy Body Dementia and Huntington’s Disease.   I knew first hand the lack of social opportunities available for people living with Dementia and support for family carers.  It is my privilege to work with so many amazing families, and to be supported by a passionate and committed team of Trustees and Volunteers.

I am married with two children and step son and in my spare time I am studying for a Masters in Strategic Leadership at Newcastle University Business School.  I enjoy reading, live music and theatre.

Our Trustees

Susan Carr, interim chairman bio

Susan Carr, Interim Chair

Several factors have motivated me to serve as a Trustee of Silverline Memories.

The most important is my personal experience with dementia and a desire to support what I believe is a vital service. I accompanied a very close relative through her dementia journey which spanned approximately 15 years. While appreciating that no two experiences are the same, I do think this has given me a good insight into the impact of dementia on the individual and their family, the challenging adjustments and transitions that must be negotiated and the often minimal input available from statutory services. Organisations such as Silverline provide an invaluable support to both the person with dementia and to their family network. For us, the most significant contribution was the opportunity to continue to enjoy social activities together when many of our previous options became unavailable or inaccessible.

My professional life in the higher education sector provides me with skills such as working on health and social care service developments, improvements and evaluations which I believe are transferable to supporting the organisation and development of Silverline Memories.

Ian Moses bio

Ian Moses, Treasurer

Since leaving full-time education Ian’s work experience has centred around banking in the private sector. However, for the last 7 years he have worked in the public sector in a variety of Performance and Planning management based roles. During this time Ian has successfully completed a degree in Business Management (with Finance).

Having observed with interest the impressive activities and charitable work of Silverline Memories, Ian became a Trustee in 2021.  Since joining the Board the tireless work, passion and commitment of the CEO, volunteers and  other Trustees who make a difference to so many lives across the region, fills Ian with a true sense of pride and he considers it an honour to be associated with the charity.

David, Silverline Memories Treasurer bio

David Coulter

I was born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, where I live with my wife and our family.  My career began at Northern Rock and I spent 17 years in the financial sector before moving to the Care Quality Commission in 2019.

I am a Business Intelligence Developer and began volunteering for Silverline Memories in 2018, utilising my skills in data analysis to redevelop the database.

I provide management reporting to the CEO and Board members to allow for the effective running of the charity, and any other adhoc reporting as and when required.

marion kimberley-ryan bio

Marion Kimberley-Ryan

I am Marion. I have had a rare form of dementia called PCA which affects my sight for the last 4 years.

I work part time for a finance company and have been with Silver Line Memories for around 4 years and have recently, and proudly, joined as a trustee.

Sandra has taken me under her wing and has been a great friend since we met and has really looked after me. I am very passionate to be part of the team.

Lee Briton Trustee bio

Lee Briton

I was happy to volunteer as a trustee after learning of the valuable work that Silverline does for dementia survivors and their carers. As a practising solicitor in England and Wales, I have an eye for detail, making sense of complex information and finding pragmatic solutions. I hope that my skills will complement the board and running of the charity. I am honoured to be able to give something back to the community.

I have a family history of dementia, which has given me an insight into the challenges faced by people with dementia and their carers.

I am employed as legal counsel for a higher education institution in the North East. I have worked in higher education for twenty years. Prior to that, I worked for Northumbria Police and Zurich Financial Services. I have a Master of Laws degree from the University of Law (Bloomsbury) and I recently completed a master of science in strategic senior leadership with Newcastle University Business School Executive Education Programme.

I live in Newcastle with my wife, son and three dogs. I am a keen amateur photographer in my spare time.