John Fitzgerald

Chairman

John is the Chair of The Fix It Group 23 and brings decades of experience in both management and community service. A resident of Mountsorrel for over 37 years, he spent 20 years working for Royal Mail in various roles including Postman, Manager, Supervisor, and Health and Safety Officer, followed by five years in the pharmaceutical industry as a Facilities and Health and Safety Manager. After taking semi-retirement, he continued serving the local area by working part-time for Mountsorrel Parish Council, where he was responsible for maintaining the parks and inspecting play equipment as an RPII-certified inspector. He fully retired in 2022 and now also volunteers as a Health and Safety Governor at Long Whatton Primary School. Outside of his leadership role with The Fix It Group 23, John enjoys woodworking, badminton, spending time in Cumbria and with his family, and living life to the full.

Paul Worth

Treasurer

Paul is the Treasurer of The Fix It Group 23 and a chartered engineer who has been repairing and creating for as long as he can remember—starting with building his own Scalextric track extensions as a child. Over the years, he’s fixed toys for his children, helped friends with their repairs, and most recently has been restoring 70s and 80s hi-fi equipment. Much of his working life has been spent fixing and inventing, and he brings that same hands-on approach to the Repair Café, where he volunteers at every event as an electrical repairer in addition to his committee role. Paul is passionate about saving things from landfill, but always makes safety a priority—he’s careful never to pass on a repair that could pose a risk. He’s proud to be part of The Fix It Group 23 and hopes to make a difference to as many local people as possible through the power of repair.

Joanne Liversidge

Secretary / Events & Publicity Manager

Joanne serves as the Secretary and Events & Publicity Manager for The Fix It Group 23, drawing on her background in chemical engineering and environmental management. She spent 15 years working in the power industry, where she held roles as an environmental compliance officer and offshore energy projects developer. After the birth of her daughter, Jo stepped back from corporate life to focus on family, eventually starting her own facepainting business—a creative venture she continues to run around family commitments. She is also an active member of her daughter’s school PTA, which led to her first connection with The Fix It Group 23. Inspired after seeing the café in action one Sunday, she joined the team and now plays a key role in organising events and spreading the word about the group’s work. Jo enjoys the balance of creativity, community, and purpose that volunteering brings.

Chris Ward

Assistant Secretary

Chris is the Assistant Secretary of The Fix It Group 23 and brings a strong background in both hospitality and education. He began his career in hospitality management before moving into work-based learning, where he assessed and developed employee skills across various industries. In 2019, he transitioned into teaching business management and leadership at Rotherham and North Notts College, and now works with a private training provider, supporting clients in their leadership development. Chris has a passion for lifelong learning and brings a thoughtful, organised approach to his role in the group. In his spare time, he enjoys reading novels, walking, and challenging himself—having completed a 50km charity trek along the Jurassic Coast for Mental Health UK, with a 100km trek already in his sights.