At the heart of GenR8 is a fantastic group of committed volunteers who give up their time to take a Christian message into primary schools. We are so thankful for their energy and enthusiasm without which we would be lost! Thank you!
GenR8 also employs one full-time director and a number of part-time staff to facilitate and run the day-to-day work of the charity.
Staff and Admin Team
Siân Thorne. Director
Siân became Director in March 2023, having spent the previous four years working with GenR8 as Inspire Prayer Spaces Director. She grew up in Cambridgeshire and has known about GenR8 for a long time, watching many assemblies in her previous role as a primary school teacher. Siân loves sharing the good news of Jesus with children and using creative ways of talking to God through prayer. She is part of an evangelical church in Cambridge.
Ruth Gabe. Administrator & Assembly Bookings Coordinator
Ruth has been a primary school teacher for the last 30 years (with an 8-year break to be a stay-at-home mum) and has seen many GenR8 assemblies and witnessed how much the children (and staff) enjoyed them. She was looking for a change of direction and the opportunity to take on the role of administrator came up at just the right time. She is married to Julian, also a teacher, and has two grown-up children.
Paul Brown. Bookkeeper
Paul first joined a GenR8 assembly team in 2010 while he was pastor of Trinity Life Church. He took a few years break to train and work as a Maths teacher but rejoined the team in 2017. He really enjoys the opportunity to be very silly in public whilst taking part in GenR8 assemblies. He took on the role of bookkeeper in 2020.
Kathryn Gee. Assembly Bookings Coordinator
Kathryn is married to Simon has two children and has been involved in children’s ministry at her local Baptist Church for many years. She returned to GenR8 in 2009 after several years’ absence. She has an extensive supply of props and dressing up clothes, courtesy of her children and particularly enjoys being part of the fantastic GenR8 team.
Helen Tobiss. Communications Coordinator and Assembly Bookings Coordinator
Married and with three grown-up children, Helen works part-time for GenR8 in communications, however being part of a lovely assembly team that visits local schools is what she enjoys most about being involved with GenR8.
Dianne Conway. Assembly Bookings Coordinator
A key organiser within the GenR8 set up, Dianne is a calming influence on any GenR8 team she is part of. As an ex-teacher Dianne is in a good position to offer insight and advice in the realm of school. She also knows everybody in the Sawston area!
Bev Thomas. Assembly Bookings Coordinator
After living in the North West for 26 years Bev and her husband Andy moved to the Cambridge area in 2015. A keen cyclist and gardener Bev is enjoying the sunnier weather in Cambridgeshire! Previously a teaching assistant she has enjoyed being back in school working with the GenR8 assemblies team and helping with Cool Choices.
Assemblies Team
Gillian Overitt
Gillian has three grown-up children and six grandchildren. Gillian enjoys writing for children, her first book was published in 2012. She is excited to be involved in GenR8 and the opportunity to take the Christian message to children in such a fun way.
Carol Thorndike
Carol is married to Bob and they have 3 children. Some years ago they established a charity working to help local disadvantaged adults and children; part of this work involves organising and taking children away on holiday where they will encounter new things, including experiencing God’s love for them. GenR8 is another way local children hear of His love, and Carol is excited and privileged to be part of this work.
David Newton
David has been involved with GenR8 from the start. In his early days he discovered his alter ego in the form of Gordon the puppet. In his spare time he enjoys almost anything which is outdoors and away from computers and phones!
Jan Newton
Jan has seen what teams do from the “other side” as a supply teacher. Having seen the enjoyment and excitement of children (and staff) when GenR8 appear, the opportunity to get involved was too good to miss! Jan is married to Mark and they have two children. When not teaching, she enjoys cooking and gardening and various types of music.
Tony Daggianti
Katalin Kovacs
Linda Hardy
Gillian Cowen
Sarah Reynolds
Gail Featherstone
Peter Reason
Jackie Reason
Jo Watson
Jane Farewell
Gemma Harvey
Sarah Thorne
Petal White
Petal re-joined GenR8 in 2010 after training at All Nations Christian College on the one year Arts Pathway course. Petal thoroughly enjoys her involvement with GenR8, describing GenR8 as a ‘wonderful set of people to work with’. She finds a joy communicating such profound messages from the Bible through the channel of acting, puppetry and song while sharing about Jesus.
Mike Sweetlove
Mike, and his wife Pat, live in Baldock from where they help run ‘Friends of Smile Charity Uganda (UK)’, raising funds through craft fairs, car boot sales and the like. When not doing that they are often found walking. They have walked the paths in Corsica, completed the Coast to Coast in England (1 3/4 times), and sections of the GR5 through Europe. Mike also helps out at Food Shed in Stevenage and Make Lunch in Royston. He took early retirement in 2018 and joined the Royston Team after Paul Brown suggested he ‘give it a go’. Still doing that…!
Siân Thorne (Director)
Steve Whyatt (Co-Founder)
John Hardwick (Co-Founder)
Kathryn Gee (Booking Coordinator)
Helen Tobiss (Communications Coordinator)
Paul Brown (Bookkeeper)
Bev Thomas (Booking Coordinator)
Inspire Prayer Space Team
Becky Campbell
Becky is married to Errol and has two children. She works as a Teaching and ICT assistant at Great Chesterford Primary Academy and worships at C3 in Cambridge. She loves reading, eating out and spending quality time with people. She is very passionate about Prayer Spaces in schools and connecting with her local community.
Alex Gullon
Janet King
After a long career in primary schools, which included watching quite a few GenR8 assemblies, Janet wanted to continue working with children. An Inspire training day back in 2013 showed her how to combine this desire with her passion for colour and fairy lights! She also works in schools abroad through SVN and Mission Direct and is a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Swavesey.
Peter Rootham-Smith
Siân Thorne (GenR8 Director)
It’s Your Move Team
Two enthusiastic young people made up the It's Your Move team in 2024. Thanks go to them for their participation in this programme. The team was led by Siân Thorne.
Cool Choices Team
Paul Brown (also Assemblies)
Liz Jenkin (also Trustee)
David Newton (also Assemblies)
Cheryl Titmus
Bev Thomas (also Assemblies)
Siân Thorne (GenR8 Director)
Steve Whyatt (Co-Founder)
Weekend Team
Various team members share about GenR8's ministry with local churches.
Xcellr8 Team
Core Team
Nick Cairns
Ros Cairns
Libby Dear – Young Team Representative
Eliane Hamaia – Bookings
Susan Meah – Minutes
Andrew Staplehurst
Siân Thorne
Issy Vetoshkina
Connie Wilson – Young Team Representative
Main Team
Barbara Ashton
Mark Ashton
Ruth Barry
Alison Brock – Head Caterer
Sam Cairns
Jason Dear
Callum Dickerson
Elinor Everitt
Lara Hagger
Matthew May
Bradley McMahon
Rebecca Morgan
David Newton
Caroline North
Tim North
Stas Vetoshkin
Young Team
Anna Cairns
Anna Cottenden
John Dear
Marcus Everitt
Matilda Gloag
Anna Lock
Daniel May
Elizabeth Meeks
Previous GenR8 Team Members
