Staff Profiles

Meet our staff team


Sheila Smith - Director

I have worked for UNA Exchange for around 20 years, so I’ve seen massive changes and developments over this time; although with the same values and goals, it really is a different organisation today. I am hugely proud to work for such a positive and dynamic organisation, supporting literally hundreds of young people each year to take up opportunities which, in many cases, really do changes lives.

I have volunteered in several countries myself – China, Vietnam, Wales, the USA and Germany – and personally gained so much from those varied experiences. I’ve met some truly inspirational people from all corners of the globe and widened my own horizons every time. I get the most satisfaction seeing the effects of our work on Welsh communities and on young people local to our own work across Wales – this is where I think UNA Exchange has the greatest impact.

With Scottish parents, having grown up in England and lived in Wales for nearly 30 years I am technically British but I belong in Wales now. Working for an international organisation, and constantly looking towards the rest of the world, enables me to feel connected to the bigger picture at the same time as the pleasure of living in one of the most beautiful parts of it.

 

 

Helen Wales - Volunteering in Wales Manager

I’ve been involved in UNA Exchange for many years now, as an overseas volunteer, as a leader, as a trainer and now as a member of staff. I’ve taken part in projects in Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Quebec, Botswana and Wales, of course! I’ve led a UNA Exchange environmental project in Port Talbot and a playscheme project in the Rhondda Valley.

I used to be a teacher and spent 2008 volunteering at a school in Lesotho with the charity Dolen Cymru. I returned to Lesotho in 2010 as an EVS volunteer. My work included mentoring a group of Welsh teachers volunteering in the country and developing ways of linking schools in Wales and Lesotho.

I grew up in Wrexham and believe that it’s really important to make links between Wales and other countries. I really enjoy supporting projects in different parts of Wales and helping to create opportunities for international volunteers to learn about Welsh communities. 

 

Ali Dunn - Exchange Coordinator

I joined UNA Exchange in July this year after returning from Uganda. I am very interested in social development and global citizenship and since leaving university have spent almost two years in East Africa. Whilst there I was involved in various projects from animal husbandry to setting up a radio show and am currently helping to develop a Ugandan community-based organisation.

I have also previously volunteered with children with mild learning difficulties in Cardiff schools but this is the first time I have been employed by a British charity.

 
Kara Schmieder  - Administrator

I've been involved in UNA Exchanges since 2001 when I was sent abroad on an international volunteer project in Italy.  Since then I've been involved in other international volunteer projects in Wales, Spain, the Slovak Republic and Morocco, both as a leader and a participant.

Before starting as the Administrator at UNA, I'd also been involved in the organisation as a trainer, office volunteer, logistics team member, training support team member and have helped out with fundraising activities for UNA - so I know UNA Exchange's work quite well!  I've had so many brilliant experiences with UNA and am really happy to now be working for the charity, helping other people to get involved.

 

Anna Mortimer - Supported Volunteering Coordinator

I joined UNA Exchange at the beginning of December 2010.  I have a degree in Social Anthropology and before working here I had been working in various administrative roles in universities, the most recent being Programme Officer in CMCI at King’s College London. 

After finishing university I took part in the ‘Global Xchange’ programme and spent 3 months volunteering in a centre for physically and mentally disabled young people in Egypt, and then 3 months volunteering with the youth service in South London.  Since then I have taken part in UNA Exchange’s Leaders Training 2010, led a 2 week environmental project in Wales, taken part in the Training for Trainers and am now part of the Leaders Training training team for 2011.