LEARNING COMMUNITY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Community Development Officer
My name is Carolynn Ogden and I am the Community Development Officer here at The Learning Community. My role is to work alongside Karen the Chief Executive by supporting delivery of projects, networking and project need identification.
I have a few volunteering roles in the local community which involve being a Criminal Justice Champion for Victim Support, Parent governor at a local school, I have been a Parish Councillor for 3 years and I also run Wales and Kiveton Uniform Exchange.
I enjoy spending time with my family as a Mum of 4, walking and learning new skills but most of all I really thrive on helping others.
My name is Ian Bruce, I work as a Community Support Worker for The Learning Community. When I started in this role it was the first time I had done any support work, as I had always been in full-time work within the construction industry doing a job which I really enjoyed doing, but unfortunately, I've had to pack it in due to ill-health, mobility issues, and then a family loss which caused me a lot of grief, which subsequently on top of my mobility and lack of work issues, caused me to suffer from depression.
Then one day my partner suggested that I could do some community support work as a volunteer, which would help me to cope with my own issues whilst helping others. The support work I do varies to suit individuals or small group's needs, from one-to-one companionship walking to photography group walks, which also include a photo editing session afterwards. Although I really enjoy walking as one of my passions.
I also love the great outdoors and enjoy photography as a hobby, mostly birds and any wildlife, so the photography walks are a great way to do something that I enjoy, whilst helping others to realise the benefits of walking and making the most of the natural beauty which we are surrounded by, and is always there to help us with our own personal mental or physical well being, and it can simply be tailored to suit our own individual needs and comfort zone.
I also like to do drone photography and I am a qualified drone pilot, I hold a commercial license so I enjoy doing aerial videos of local monuments, rivers and landscapes, I am currently doing a GCSE maths course, night class at Rotherham College which is also something I enjoy doing, and then hopefully, fingers crossed, if I pass that, then I'll pursue a teaching qualification so I can teach it at foundation level to adult groups or individual learners with learning difficulties or who just need a bit of help.
My name is Karen Shaw and I came to work at The Learning Community as Business Development Manager for 6 months in January 2014. And I am STILL here and CEO! That is because I strongly believe in everything that we do and everyone that we support. Supporting those who need a helping hand sometimes is the best job and I relish every day doing it. I love the fact that some people come to us and engage with our services which results in positive change to their lives.
It doesn't matter how old you are, you are never too old to learn new skills!
My background of multiple jobs includes 12 years as Contract Account and 15 years working in Project Management before taking up the role of CEO of The Learning Community. Both of which have given me a thorough insight and skills needed to manage a Community Hub.
Inclusivity is in the heart of everything we do here at The Learning Community and everyone is welcome to access our range of services.
Creating fruitful and productive partner relations is what I do best and never before have we needed to work in collaboration as we do at present.
I am a Trustee/Director on a number of Boards focussing on Women In Business, Children's Education, Homelessness Families and Young People, taking pride in my contribution to good causes and service pathways.
My favourite past time (when I get any) is spent with my wonderful family, walking and drinking very milky tea.
Job Titles:
- Digital Inclusion Officer
My name is Sam Shaw and I am the Digital Inclusion Officer at The Learning Community.