Sam Wright
Policy Officer

Sam joined NCSN in July 2006, having been Research and Evaluation Manager for Nacro.

Sam first became interested in community safety when working on her PhD on domestic violence in Nottingham. This involved researching women’s experiences of help-seeking, whilst also examining the development of police policy on addressing domestic violence.

Following the completion of her PhD, Sam moved to Manchester and became a Research Fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University, researching illegal drug use, and in particular treatment services for amphetamine users. This work informed the DoH TaskForce to Review Services for Drug Users 1995-97. She also worked on projects focusing on parental drug use; drug use in the workforce; and education, training and employment opportunities for drug users.

In 1999 she took up a research post with the DfEE, focusing on basic skills for adults. However, after a brief stint (during which time she helped to establish workplace yoga classes for desk-bound civil servants) she left to join Nacro. At Nacro she worked on several Home Office funded projects: Crime Reduction in Secondary Schools (CRISS); Reducing Violence Against Women; the evaluation of Drug Testing within the CJS; an evaluation of housing support for drug users; and research into Khat use among Somali populations. She also evaluated more localised projects, including: Neighbourhood Community Safety in Leeds; Community Wardens in Salford; and Restorative Policing in Devon and Cornwall.

Sam lives in the Peak District and has two children, aged four years, and fifteen months. She is a keen (although fairly rubbish) gardener, and is currently psyching herself up to attempt paragliding.

Jan Pyne
Office Manager

Jan lives in Ellesmere Port. Prior to joining NCSN, she provided a full administrative service for an elderly person’s home, as Home Administrator. This included line managing ancillary staff and 60 volunteers. She has also had extensive administrative and financial experience with a range of other companies locally and further a field.

Jan is very excited about the prospect of helping to establish our new office and having lots of contact with members and directors. She is also looking forward to learning more about the exciting but complex world of community safety!

Jan has two young children and is a frequent visitor to her local gym.

Catherine Hammond
Administrator

Catherine joined the Network in July 2004 to assist and support the Chester Team until March 2005. Originally from Kent, she has lived in London, Birmingham and Berlin and moved to Chester with her husband Jim in 1981.

Prior to joining NCSN, Catherine has worked for Royal Mail, Cheshire County Council, Chester Motor Auctions, Typewriter Exchange and the Ministry of Defence.

Catherine enjoys working with people in a team environment and is an avid supporter of community work.  Consequently, she is keen to expand her knowledge in Community Safety and Crime Prevention and looks forward to dealing with members’ enquiries and issues.