Welcome to your Diabetes UK Northern Ireland team!
Tina McCrossan - National Director
"I started working in Diabetes UK NI in February 2020. I'm delighted to be back leading the Northern Ireland team again after spending a year working with teams across Diabetes UK. I'm very excited about our plans for 2025 and, in particular, our focus on challenging the many inequalities that people with diabetes
experience. Alongside our focus on influencing, we will work with and through organisations and communities to reach and support more people. And there's no doubt our Diabetes UK NI Conference for healthcare professionals in May will be a highlight for this year.
"I'm a social worker by background and have chosen to work within the charity sector for most of the last 30 years - being able to work with others to make a difference is really important to me. Something else I really value is being able to create opportunities for people to tell their own story and to take action on their own behalf and on behalf of others.
"Outside work, I enjoy making things with my hands - baking (and eating!), gardening and more recently, teaching myself to crochet with the help of YouTube tutorials. They say it's never too late to learn a new skill!"
Suzy Hull – Healthcare Engagement Manager
“I have been working for Diabetes UK since November 2021. Prior to working at Diabetes UK, I worked for 10 years in health and social care, working mainly in mental health services through charity organisations.
“My role involves working with our local healthcare professionals and their networks to understand their role, support them and their development and work together in the design and delivery of services for people living with diabetes. I’m passionate about understanding how we can best work together to support and influence diabetes care and services, involving our healthcare professionals and people using the services throughout.
“I have loved getting to know some of our amazing local diabetes healthcare professionals and the work that they do and look forward to meeting many more and introducing them to the work that we carry out at Diabetes UK.
"Outside of work, I love to do a bit of travelling and see parts of the world, but I’m definitely a home bird and love coming back again. I love music and will regularly be caught with country music on, possibly line dancing at the same time (I’m sure most of the office are glad that headphones exist and that I contain my desire to sing out loud)!"
Heather Causer – Engaging Communities and Volunteering Manager
"I joined Diabetes UK NI back in May 2011. My role as Engaging Communities and Volunteer Manager is to provide leadership for our community engagement, volunteering and youth work teams. The Engaging Communities team work with people living and at risk of diabetes, building relationships with communities and organisations to raise awareness, influence change and support people affected by diabetes to live well and access better care. The Together Type 1 team provides invaluable support to young people living with type 1 diabetes, we are excited that the project has secured funding for a further four years. I am thrilled to be part of an inspiring team and all the work planned to support and reach people living with diabetes across Northern Ireland.
"I have worked in the charity sector for over 12 years and am passionate about working with people and growing relationships. During my many years at Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, I have been able to work with fantastic volunteers and people living with diabetes – this inspires me to continue to work hard in my role.
"Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy going to the gym and cold water swimming, but also love a good Netflix night."
Chris Eisenstadt - Policy and Public Affairs Manager
"I joined Diabetes UK in January 2025. Before that, I worked in the charity sector and local politics for most of my career. My focus was on families, children, and young people and I also have type 1 diabetes myself.
"My role involves monitoring, advising, and delivering on our strategy for policy and public affairs in Northern Ireland. This means building strong relationships with the key decision makers who decide how the government and statutory agencies will support and care for people living with diabetes.
"I also work to ensure that people who deliver this care and make laws that affect the lives of people living with diabetes are informed and make those choices with the most up to date research, based in science and lived experience.
"Outside of work I am a major history nerd - you'll often catch me reading a history novel on the train to work. I also love video games and Dungeons & Dragons, but most of all spending time with my wife and son."
Sian McAdams – Interim Youth Co-ordinator for the Together Type 1 NI Project
“I am Sian, I am a youth worker at Diabetes UK Northern Ireland. I am involved in the Together Type 1 youth programme. This project connects young people living with type 1 diabetes by supporting them to build a peer support network, influence the way healthcare services are provided for young people and support with confidence and emotional wellbeing! It is a great project to be part of!
"I studied psychology as my undergraduate degree at Queens University Belfast and further went on to complete my master’s degree in autism spectrum disorders. I have always worked with young people and really enjoy hearing and learning from their experiences!
"I am also a type 1 diabetic, I was diagnosed at the age of 4. Diabetes UK has been so important in supporting me and I am excited to be a part of the team that provides such a vital service.
In my spare time I love to read, cook and go for long walks with my very energetic dog!"
Fiona Harte – Engaging Communities and Volunteer Officer
“I have been working in the community and voluntary sector for over 10 years, so community development and engagement is a huge passion of mine. Since starting in November our team have been working on establishing and embedding the Live Well Hubs in Bangor, Ballymena and East / South Belfast.
"This exciting new programme is a one-stop-shop which provides information, support and advice to improve the health and wellbeing of the community. Allowing those living with diabetes to access the information and support they need.
“I’ve been given the opportunity to meet and learn from our wonderful volunteers and participants seeing first-hand how this project can make a positive difference.
"In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and taking my dog for walks along the beach or in the mountains. I also like travelling and Pilates."
Elaine Hanna – Diabetes Engagement Officer
"I have worked with the community and voluntary sector for over 15 years, mainly in a family support and community engagement role. I joined the engaging communities and volunteering team in January.
"I have enjoyed getting out to the Live Well Hubs and seeing first-hand how they support people in the local community and how vital they are in helping individuals with diabetes access peer support.
"I am excited about my new role as Diabetes Engagement Officer and look forward to continuing with community engagement, to help support people and increase their understanding of diabetes, enabling them to make healthier choices to improve how they live well with diabetes.
"I am Mum to five children and have two dogs. We love to spend time chilling out at our caravan and doing some kayaking or going for walks in the lovely Mourne mountains."
Christopher Henry – Interim Engaging Communities & Volunteer Officer
"I joined Diabetes UK Northern Ireland in August 2023. I am thrilled to work for an organisation that is held in such high regard for the incredible work they do for the diabetes community. My background and previous line of work was in the dietetic service. I was an accredited educator in the Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP) and the type 2 diabetes education programme DESMOND.
"In the Engaging Communities and Volunteering Team I work closely with people living with or at risk of diabetes and their carers - providing the information and support they need to improve their wellbeing and put them in more control of their lives. A huge part of my role is contributing to our Tackling Inequality Breakthrough Programme. I also work with our network of volunteers, groups, community organisation and local partners to help connect more people to the information, support and key services they need to improve their overall quality of care and support.
"Outside of work I am a massive sports enthusiast! I love nothing more than packing up the car with my young family and travelling around following all things GAA and rugby."
Victoria Bennett – Office Manager / Executive Assistant
"I am the most recent member to the team in Diabetes UK and just started in January 2024. I worked for Local Government for over 20 years so I am very excited to join a charity organisation who are all so passionate in reaching and engaging more people living with diabetes.
"My role involves the effective running of the office on a daily basis. I am the first point of contact for people who need advice help and support by giving them valuable resources and information. I’m looking forward to working closely with the Northern Ireland team and providing support to them as we all work hard to deliver the NI Plan for 2024. I also provide an Executive Assistant service to the National Director.
"Outside my work, I enjoy eating out, going on holidays with my husband and two teenage children and spending time with family. I am a Leader of a Youth group in my local church and also run a Ladies group. I love baking, walking and meeting up with friends for coffee."
Naomi Breen – Community Fundraising Manager – Northern Ireland & Scotland
"I joined the Fundraising team in July 2008 and currently manage the Scotland community fundraising team as well as looking after local fundraising activities in Northern Ireland. After nearly 15 years at Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, I have met and supported some of the most incredible fundraisers and have had a lot of fun at events along the way.
"My role is to grow income through supporting local community groups, corporates and individuals in organising their own events. I am passionate in building successful relationships with fundraisers, bringing together a community through fundraising. Fundraising is important to me as it has the potential to transform people’s lives through cutting-edge research and ultimately bringing us closer to a cure.
"I am a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising in Northern Ireland for almost 10 years and currently hold the treasurer role. This group champions excellence in fundraising and we organise events for other fundraisers from other charities to attend, to share learn from each other.
"Outside of work, I love spending time with my two young children who keep me very busy with all their activities. I come from a farming background, so enjoy getting back to the farm at the weekends and have long walks across the fields with my children, seeing the animals. Inside my home, I enjoy good coffee, playing the piano and a great show to watch on Netflix! I also have a very large and naughty Bernese Mountain Dog called Rocky, who takes me for a walk, not the other way around!"
Keep in touch
If you would like to get in touch with our team you can email n.ireland@diabetes.org.uk or call 028 906 66646.
