Crina Morteanu
Charity Manager
crina@lutonromatrust.org.uk
Crina has a background in Law and Human Rights, as well as extensive experience collaborating with national and international NGOs, advocating for the Roma rights.
In 2016, Crina held the position of Human Rights Counselor of the Romanian Minister of Justice; she managed the portfolio of the Romanian penitentiary system as well as contributed, inter alia, to the implementation of some of the activities within the Romanian Roma Strategy 2015-2020.
Assen Slavchev
Support and Empowerment Officer
assen@lutonromatrust.org.uk
Assen supports the Roma community of Luton with their requests to official bodies and structures since 2015. He fluently speaks in Bulragian, Romanes and English languages. Assen has more than 20 years of Community Development experience within the Roma community, in Bulgaria and throughout Eastern Europe.
He has managed the Roma-Lom foundation in Bulgaria for 10 years, a local Roma Community-led organisation that empowers the Roma people in Bulgaria.
Paul Sayers
Roma Education Champion
paul@lutonromatrust.org.uk
Paul is the Education Champion at Luton Roma Trust. Daily, he helps Roma children in Luton to engage in the schooling process.
Before joining our team, Paul with his wife lived in the Romanian capital Bucharest for 6 years, where he learned Romanian language and familiarized himself with Roma culture.
During this time they volunteered with a church that was working with Roma families, assisting them to register their children into school, and helping the children with their homework. They acted as intermediaries between families and the school their children attended.
Liliana Neamtu
Roma Woman Champion
liliana@lutonromatrust.org.uk
Liliana’s entire professional journey has been focused on helping people with diverse needs.
In Romania Liliana worked as a teacher of religion and a social worker. A large part of her time as a social worker was focused on working with women and children: at a Maternal Centre with young mothers who were victims of domestic violence; as part of a multi-professional team preventing child abandonment in Bacau Hospital’s Maternity Department where she supported the reintegration of young mothers with their families, obtained identification for women without documents, and ensured the proper functioning of the department. A significant portion of the individuals she worked with were from the Roma community.
Liliana decided to move to the UK in 2013 and began working with the elderly in care homes. We were pleased to welcome her to the team in July 2023
Mioara Manea
Support Officer
mioara@lutonromatrust.org.uk
Mioara has been living in England for the last eight years, during this time her primary focus has been working with children helping them acquire essential educational and life skills. She is currently studying at the University Luton School of Science & Technology and Bridgwater and Taunton College, with a specific emphasis on counseling.
In Romania, Mioara worked in Education, Sales and the Health & Beauty industry. She brings this variety of experience, along with a capacity to engage with people and emphasize positive interactions, to the team after joining in July 2023.
Louise Kuka
Financial Officer
louise@lutonromatrust.org.uk
Louise joined in July 2021 to provide administrative support for the team. She brings strong organisational skills and has extensive administrative experience having worked for a range of organisations and charities, as well as working as an Early Years keyworker & LSA. Her working life has also been intermingled with periods of volunteering for various charities & NGOs both here in the UK and overseas.
Louise strongly believes that everyone should have the same opportunities to thrive and welcomes the chance to support the Roma community.
Rob Burton
Compliance Officer
rob@lutonromatrust.org.uk
Rob joined Luton Roma Trust in January 2024 as a Compliance Officer. Rob has a background of work and volunteering in the Voluntary Community Sector in Luton & Bedfore and before this was involved in setting up and developing a youth project for disadvantaged young people in Nottingham. Rob brings with him strong skills in project and contract management, and partnerships and has experience working with diverse minority communities across Bedfordshire. He sees his work at Luton Roma Trust as an exciting opportunity to make a difference.
Rob strongly believes in the power of equality, diversity, and inclusion as a force for good and has a strong commitment to empowering people and enabling them to have a voice.
Ashleigh Benfield
Charity Administrator
ashleigh@lutonromatrust.org.uk
Ashleigh recently joined Luton Roma Trust in November 2023 to provide administrative support for the team. Ashleigh has a degree in Trend Forecasting and possesses a wealth of administrative, organisational and digital skills.
Ashleigh strongly believes everyone should have a voice, be treated with respect, have equal opportunities to thrive, and be part of the local community. She is excited to be part of the team and work with the Roma community.
Luton Roma Trust 