Steve Slack

Commitee Member

Steve was born in the Midlands and came to study in Sheffield in the 1980s. He sees himself as an adopted Sheffielder and loves living in Yorkshire. Steve originally trained as a social worker and his first job was in Barnsley at the beginning of the miners' strike. Witnessing the decimation of the villages and peoples' lives and livelihood have influenced his politics ever since. Within the NHS, Steve now works as an HIV prevention and sexual health promotion manager. For six years he sat on the government advisory group advising on national HIV and sexual health policy. Steve has actively campaigned around equality issues and is excited at the thought of seeing Edward Carpenter's life and work commemorated in Sheffield. He relaxes by gardening, vegetarian cooking or walking in Derbyshire. He loves going to the theatre, is addicted to charity shops and tries to keep fit by going to the gym (but not as often as he should).

Kate Flannery

Commitee Member

Kate grew up in Sheffield and has experience of working in local government, the voluntary sector and trade union movement. This has involved her in organising many political and public awareness campaigns and events. As an activist Kate was involved in numerous campaigns including Women Against Pit Closures, she was Chair of the Sheffield TUC women’s committee and Secretary of Sheffield Campaign Against Racism. She has worked to promote and develop Domestic Abuse services in the city and has had roles in local government promoting and advising on equality and diversity particularly in relation to Women and LGBT issues. Kate's love of music, theatre and literature, and her belief that they are a force for social change, influenced her in initiating this project. She wants to ensure that as a significant artistic and political figure in Sheffield, Edward Carpenter is given the public profile he deserves. "This exciting new project gives us the opportunity to celebrate Carpenter's life and achievements and ensures a lasting tribute to a person who has influenced our lives and paved the way for the freedom of others."

Mark Scott

Commitee Member

Mark divides his time between working as a self-employed coach and consultant and various activities in the arts. He is a part-time author of children's / YA literature and poetry. Mark also promotes a number of local concerts and loves attending live music events - from Madonna to Metallica, from Kylie to Kiss. He recently completed an MSc in Coaching and Mentoring. For his dissertation he looked at the potential for LGBT Mentoring, specifically with respect to coming-out in work or in other institutions like university or college. He has developed a passionate interest in diversity, equality and inclusivity and how this is achieved in organisations (and thinks Carpenter would approve). He is passionate about establishing the memorial for Carpenter. "Having a public, permanent memorial for such an amazing man is so important. We need to ensure our role models and icons are both celebrated and recognised. This memorial provides a way for us all - and by that I mean a worldwide community - to connect with someone from history who has greatly influenced and inspired us. It may also provide the catalyst for some to discover Edward Carpenter for the first time."