BOARD OF TRUSTEES

I am from County Kilkenny. Most of my working life was spent as an accountant in London. During my
spare time, I enjoyed chatting with people who were homeless as I helped with Soup Runs from the
Jesuit Church in Stamford Hill, and with the preparation of meals for the Homeless at the Catholic
Church in Stoke Newington. Later through the work of St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, I was privileged to
accompany some wonderful families who struggled stoically with disabilities and addictions.
I also helped with Catechesis, and obtained a degree in Pastoral Theology with a view to being a better Catchiest, but that led to a change of career from a 9 to 5 Accountant in London to a 24/7 Hospital Chaplain in Hertfordshire. About this time, following a pilgrimage to Poland and a number of God-Instances , I heard of this Polish Charity which was invited to London by the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to provide help with the many East Europeans who came looking for work, but ended up homeless on the streets. I had a house, and this Charity needed one, there began my association with Barka.
Contact: +447939634696, Email: bernadette.cassidy@zen.co.uk
Dagmara Szlandrowicz, Director, has been involved with Barka in Ireland since 2007.
Currently works at Barka headquarters in Poznan (Poland).
Contact: +48661726936,
Email: dagmara.szlandrowicz@barka.org.pl
Magdalena Chwarścianek, Director of Barka for Mutual Help Ireland and Managing Director of Barka Netherlands which employs 30 staff members.
Has been sharing her management expertise and knowledge with Barka in Ireland through her involvement with the Board of trustees.
Contact: +31646341843