Councillor Catherine Donovan

I grew up in First Street and still live in Bensham. I was a pupil at Corpus Christi Primary School and then attended the Sacred Heart Grammar School in Fenham.

I am proud that I worked for the NHS for 27 years. I qualified as a Nurse, Midwife and Health Visitor and have now retired. As a Health Visitor, I worked for 17 years in Gateshead visiting families in their homes in most wards in the borough, including Lobley Hill and Bensham.

I believe that the knowledge that I gained as a Health Visitor has been invaluable in my role as a councillor, providing me with sound local knowledge.

I was elected as a councillor in Bensham ward in 2002, and have represented Lobley Hill and Bensham since the ward boundary changes in 2004. I am proud and privileged to represent the area where I grew up and still live.

I have been a Cabinet member since 2004 and have held the portfolios for Community Safety, Children and Young People, Housing, and Health and Wellbeing.

In 2016, I became Deputy Leader of the Council.

I have been a member of the Labour Party for 40 years.

I am passionate about Gateshead and the people who live here. As a borough we face many challenges but I am committed to working tirelessly to improve the lives of our citizens.