Sue Adams OBE, Chief Executive

Sue is the Chief Executive of Care & Repair England, a national charity established in 1986 to improve the housing and living conditions of older and disabled people. Prior to joining Care & Repair in 1987 she worked for London Pensioners Link and Citizens Advice.

As well as being at the forefront of developing front line help for older people living in poor housing, Sue has contributed to successive governments’ policies concerning housing and ageing, and was closely involved in the creation of the cross government strategy, Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods. She currently chairs the national Housing and Ageing Alliance and the Home Adaptations Consortium. She has served on a wide range of advisory committees including the Department of Health's Integration Partnership Board, MHCLG’s Housing Sounding Board, DWP's Age Action Alliance and DH Ministerial working party on the future of Adult Social Care. She is a fellow of the World Demographic Association and has written extensively about housing and older people.

She was awarded the OBE for services to older people’s housing in 2010 and given the British Society of Geronotology's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019.

Email: [email protected]

Elly Hopkins, Programme Manager

Elly is Head of Programmes for Care & Repair England. She is a qualified Occupational Therapist specialising in Older Adult Rehabilitation, with a previous background of working in the Voluntary Sector.

Through her experience in frontline services, Elly has worked to support the well-being of older adults in the community and has witnessed the impact that housing can have on an individual’s ability to live well with independence and dignity.

Elly has led on the development and delivery of groups and services for Older Adults within the Health Sector and has a wide range of experience in working in partnership with local Voluntary Organisations, Social Services, NHS providers and Housing Organisations.

Email: [email protected]

Catriona Saxton, Company Administrator

Catriona is the Company Administrator at Care & Repair England, she has worked in various administrative roles for the organisation for the past 29 years, and prior to that she worked for a local authority and a housing association.

It is Catriona’s role to provide administrative assistance to the Chief Executive, to undertake all tasks relating to the day to day administration of the charity, including tasks related to specific projects being undertaken by the charity (including finance, event management, website and communications) and to provide administrative assistance to the Board of Care & Repair England.

Catriona also provides administrative support to the Housing & Ageing Alliance, Home Adaptations Consortium and Older People’s Housing Champions Group.

Email: [email protected]

Emma Koivunen, Housing & Ageing Regional Officer North of England

Emma Koivunen, PhD, is the Housing and Ageing Regional Officer North of England.

Prior to working at Care and Repair England, Emma worked as a researcher in Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Leeds, and as a research consultant. Her background is in social anthropology and qualitative research, with a keen interest in the lived experiences of older adults.

Her work has focused on older people living in the community, including being a carer, living with long-term health conditions such as dementia, sensory issues or falls, engaging with care workers; as well as care homes; activities and community groups for older people; use of telecare and other technology to support independence and safety.

She has delivered numerous projects focusing on improving the quality of life for older people and people working with them working with local and national charities, voluntary groups, local authorities and health and social care.

Email:  [email protected]