Advocate Spotlight

lauraodonovan2
49 minutes ago
2 min read

Meet Susan O’Donnell

Our team of professional advocates are here to help make your voice heard. Every member of our team brings a wealth of experience and compassion so through our new Advocate Spotlight series we’re proud to introduce you to the people behind the service – the skilled, dedicated advocates who work every day to support people who need them.

Susan O’Donnell joined us in September 2025 as an Independent Advocate and is currently undertaking her formal advocacy qualifications.

Susan has over 30 years’ experience working across the public and private sectors in the North East as a professionally qualified Risk Manager specialising in governance and safeguarding arrangements. She was Head of Governance at Northumbria University, where she was responsible for the Board of Governors and leading safeguarding and Prevent developments.

Susan has also worked as a freelance consultant, advising UK universities on safeguarding and has a long history of community-based voluntary work, including as a trained Samaritan and serving as a Non-Executive Director of South Tyneside Homes and School Governor in Newcastle.

Susan said:

“I’ve been interested in advocacy for a while – this role allows me to use my skills and experience in a way that directly supports people in the community. As an advocate within Your Voice Counts, I’m working with a great team of staff, all committed to helping people who struggle to have their voice heard and who might be sidelined as a result. It’s important work and makes a huge difference – people feel like they matter and can have a say in what happens to them.”

Sharon de Jesus, Head of Advocacy at Your Voice Counts, said:

“Susan is a fantastic example of how transferable skills from other job roles and sectors are relevant to a career in advocacy. Her background has given her great insight into supporting people, listening and partnership working – all essential qualities for an advocate.

"At Your Voice Counts we are committed to developing and supporting our people, and we are pleased to support Susan as she completes her formal advocacy qualifications. She is a real asset to our team and we’re delighted to have her on board.”

For more information about our advocacy services, visit www.ycv.org.uk/advocacy.