Resume

Dynamic and creative community and youth work professional, a PRINCE2 project manager. I have more than 30 years experience including: regeneration, enterprise, community development, arts initiatives, children and young people’s services, highly successful track record in project and programe based fund raising from a wide variety of sources.

A lucid and strategic thinker, with a strong professional commitment to the effective implementation of social inclusion policy, linked to real time evaluation, at the cutting edge of service provision.

Here are some highlights from the last decade of my work with and for local people, groups, and organizations addressing the needs and aspirations of local communities…

Jan 2015 – current: Freelance Consultant
Current initiatives include capacity building, community development, and fundraising for Loughborough Women’s Group – with a view to establishing an effective and meaningful package of services for entrepreneurial and enterprising women; and Loughborough Creatives – pursuing our ambition of an annual place making festival of community arts and culture.

As a self-published author and artist, I am promoting my book ‘EVOLUTION – a collection of paintings poetry and prose’, including the development of interactive workshops, discussion groups, presentations, exhibitions, and performances.

I am involved with delivering, licensing and accrediting my training course ‘The Well Connected Cycle of Community Engagement’, and finding a platform for my numerous learning tools and resources, intended to develop and improve the professional practice of those working with third sector groups and organizations.

Oct 2011 – Dec 2014: Community Development Manager
Implemented, established and developed the Building Communities in Coldharbour Foundation (BCC) Initiative, a high value J. P. Morgan corporate and public sector investment programme focused on economic and social development primarily in the Loughborough Junction area of Coldharbour ward. I championed and supported asset based community development of local facilities and people by collaborating with local stakeholders and resident led organizations, driving the BCC strategic agenda, engaging local stakeholders in the grant making process, drafting and reviewing governance documents for groups and local partnerships. BCC was voted Runner Up in the 2014 Directory of Social Change Great Giving Funders Award.

May 2010 – Sep 2011: Freelance and Voluntary Consultant
Developing and promoting a detailed modular curriculum for (i) Team Around the Child and (ii) Teams Within Organizations training programmes and business management models. I was involved in consultation initiatives with Angell Town Estate Management Board and Community Project, and from January 2011, a strategic fundraising and project development consultancy with The Brick Box Community Interest Company, and Fresh media Productions. I am also engaged pro bono and ad hoc in similar work with other arts related projects and enterprises.

Feb 2010 – May 2010: Extended Schools Cluster Consultant
In consultation with Extended Schools, Wandsworth Children and Young People’s Service, Children’s Trust Partners, voluntary sector organisations, I worked on the development of the Extended Services Core Offer. The role involved producing and revising Cluster grant funding, bid forms and procedures, advising on recruitment and workforce development, and reviewing business processes.

Jan 2009 – Jan 2010: Freelance and Voluntary Consultant
Short-term projects including: a programme review for Lambeth Council December 2008 – February 2009; community consultation with Angell Town Estate Management Board and Community Project; and a communications development and quality assurance initiative with Springboard Southwark.

May 2006 – Dec 2008: Extended Services Area Coordinator
Collaborated with head teachers, key stakeholders and other business units, along with consultants and locally based service providers to achieve a Higher Delivery Standard for the Extended Services Core Offer with a lead responsibility for Swift and Easy Access to support services, and a developed focus on young people involved in risky behaviour, and children with disabilities and special educational needs. Identified development priorities, produced project plans and area profiles based on an extensive audit and mapping process, also submitted reports and proposals which increased service provision, created new service delivery partnerships, which were pivotal in securing an additional £210k funding from the Department for Children Schools and Families for the Accelerating Extended Schools Project.

Apr 2005 – Mar 2006: Vassall Neighbourhood Coordinator
Responsible for drafting the Vassall Neighbourhood Action Plan in consultation with locally based housing organisations, the voluntary sector and social enterprises, and providing capacity building support to Vassall Area Regeneration Group including organising the AGM. Working in partnership with external providers, resident led organisations and colleagues in Community Safety, completed the application forms and bid process – including monitoring, evaluation and reporting, securing an additional £82k for intermediate safety works and a summer holiday project on Myatts Field North Estate, offering young people structured activities and targeted support.