Meet the team

I am Daniel. I came to the UK in 2005. I am involved in helping others from 2006 first as a trade union shop steward and a staff representative. I had the pleasure of working and studying for the Trade Union Congress as Academy Organiser. That was the time I had the opportunity to meet many charities, organisations from the sector. One organisation, the Sunderland Polish Community Organisation wanted to dissolve so my friends and I decided that it would be a good idea to take it over and form a new place for all the migrants. Now our charity is growing and we are able to help more people than ever.

My name is Michal and I have been involved in ICOS since August 2009. I directly manage several projects, including Back in Control and Shared Sunderland, as well as lead on funding and  development, ensuring that ICOS can continue to support our clients and grow. I speak Slovak and can get by in Czech. On behalf of ICOS, I am a member of the Input and Design (advisory) Team at Lloyds Bank Foundation. I am also a member of the Racial Justice Network at People’s Powerhouse.
I am passionate about making a long-lasting positive impact on the lives of minority ethnic people in Sunderland and the North East. I was born in Poland and have lived in the North East of England since moving to the UK in 2006.

Hello, I’m Julia and I came from Poland to live in the UK in 2006 when I was only 9 years old. After graduating from Durham University in 2017, I started working for ICOS as an Outreach worker for the Healthy Steps Project and I became very passionate about supporting the BME community in Sunderland.
Since 2017, I was involved in many different projects at ICOS, my position is now of a Community Development Officer and I am also a coach on the Wise Steps Programme.  My work mostly involves working with clients on one-to-one basis and supporting them with various problems and difficulties from employability, education, housing, welfare, health and wellbeing support to issues with domestic abuse, hate crime and discrimination.
I am very passionate about supporting and working with women, I currently run two women’s only projects at ICOS: Women’s Support Project and Positive Connections, we have women’s meetings on a regular basis and we engage in various fun and creative wellbeing activities.

My name is Agnieszka Cielecka. I joined ICOS in January 2022 as a Project Worker. I have been involved with ICOS as a volunteer since I came to the UK. With my new role, I am committed to supporting and empowering our clients by giving them the information and guidance they need. I am passionate about creating a positive impact, and I believe that bringing people together strengthens the community and improves our lives.

Hi, I’m Sam, I joined ICOS in January 2025 after deciding to switch careers to follow my passion. I enjoy working with people from different backgrounds and cultures, learning from new experiences, and teaching those who want to learn. My biggest hobby in life is Karate, I’ve trained for 15 years and I’m always eager to teach.

Joining ICOS as an intern is an exciting opportunity to advocate and develop practical solutions to bridge social and cultural divides. As a current student in Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University I look forward to making a difference and helping clients achieve their goals. I have a strong belief in community driven change and having previous experience working with vulnerable communities and I look forward to empowering individuals.

Hello, I’m Sylvester Fernando joined ICOS team in Aug’ 2024 as a Finance and Administration Assistant

I am a Qualified Chartered Management Accountant from the Institute of CIMA-UK, with over two decades of experience in the fields of finance, accounting, taxation, and consulting. A well-organized individual used to work under pressure and enjoys work with wide range of people. Ambitious, enthusiastic and ready to undertake challenging task in the field of accountancy and finance.

In ICOS I play a critical role in managing financial records accurately while supporting the organization’s mission.

I joined the wonderful ICOS team in August 2024 as a Project Worker supporting employability. I work to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve sustainable employment. With a focus on vulnerable clients, I deliver tailored one-on-one coaching, and CV preparation to enhance job readiness and build confidence. I collaborate closely with local businesses, partners, and support services across various sectors offering and delivering support to often vulnerable individuals to create pathways into work for my clients. My approach is holistic, addressing barriers including but not limited to language skills, digital literacy, and cultural adaptation, ensuring clients can navigate the job market and secure meaningful employment.

Hello. My name is Ewa. I have been living in the UK since 2016. I joined ICOS in May 2023 as “Back in Control” Project Worker. I am passionate about changing people’s lives for the better. Working with clients to reach their goals brings me a lot of satisfaction. In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors with my son.

Hello, my name is Swzan Akel. I have been in the UK since 2011. I am currently doing a PhD in psychology. This is because I am always eager to learn and help others. I joined ICOS recently. My aim is to help provide supportive, caring environment. In my free time, I like to bake and be creative with food.