HOMESTART LEEDS - Key Persons
I joined Home-Start Leeds in 2013. I had recently retired, and my sister already volunteered down in Hampshire. She told me to check the charity out, she was sure it would be something I would enjoy.
Since completing the very intense but enjoyable Volunteer Preparation Course, becoming a Volunteer, and then being invited to join the Board of Trustees I am so proud to be part of Home-Start Leeds. I have supported families over those years - some extremely challenging, but always privileged to feel I helped and encouraged these families. Home-Start Volunteers are a wonderful group of people who visit families in their own homes.
Never judging but always a kind listening ear and helping with practically any sort of problem the families are facing. Being a Trustee, I now feel I can be part of a group of people that assist and advise on the actual running of the charity. I get involved with Safeguarding and I am also on the HR Committee - we certainly have brilliant hard working committed staff.
I joined Home-Start Leeds in 2022 after being incredibly inspired by one of the Volunteers I worked with in my day job.
I became a new mum in late 2019 and raising my baby through the pandemic lockdowns brought it home to me how incredibly important it is that parents have access to the emotional and practical support they need to be the best parents they can be, whatever the challenges. And Home-Start Leeds does amazing work.
I bring 18 years of corporate experience from the telecommunications and financial services sectors, and five years experience as a non-for-profit Board Director in the utilities sector. I've spent a lot of my career to date delivering business transformation programmes, with a particular passion for those with a regulatory compliance angle. I like making the complex simple so companies can get on with delivering their core mission.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Finance Committee / Chair of Safeguarding Committee
I have extensive senior management experience in the third sector, the NHS and International Development.
My most recent role prior to retiring in 2019 was as CEO at Age UK Leeds. I spent six years working for the World Health Organisation in Viet Nam, co-managing a £17 million HIV prevention project and three-years as a Voluntary Service Overseas volunteer working in a provincial hospital in Cambodia. Prior to this I was a senior manager in the NHS for nearly 20-years and my posts included managing services for Women and Children at the Leeds General Infirmary.
The best start in life provides important foundations for good health and wellbeing throughout life. The staff and volunteers at Home-Start Leeds provide an invaluable service supporting parents to give their children the best possible start in life and I am proud to be a member of the Trust Board.
I am a retired Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Senior Project and Programme Manager with over forty years' experience in managing high profile multi-million-pound public and private sector projects across the NHS, Central and Local Government, the Ministry of Defence and the private sector
I have hands on experience of delivering successful transformational business change programmes through service re-design, business planning and real estate and facilities management, both at a strategic and operational level.
I joined Home-Start Leeds in 2022 and I am very proud to be a Trustee for the charity. Home-Start plays an incredibly valuable role supporting Leeds families through challenging times, and it's an honour to be able to work as part of our board to help the charity continue this work.
My background is in arts education, having worked previously as a teacher in secondary schools in Leeds. I currently work as a Relationship Manager at Arts Council England, where I manage funding relationships with a range of organisations working in the cultural education sector. I'm passionate about ensuring that children and young people have fantastic opportunities, whatever their circumstances. The best possible start in life is the beginning of this journey and its inspiring seeing the work that Home- Start Leeds' Staff and Volunteers providing support and care to families in order to ensure this.
I commenced my role at Home Start Leeds in September 2021.
I bring to Home Start Leeds over 25 years' experience of senior leadership in the Public and Voluntary Sectors. During my career I have held senior roles at several leading organisations and have worked in the areas of Learning Disabilities, Therapeutic Counselling, Mental Health, Alzheimer's and Debt & Housing Advice; and I spent 16 years as a Local Authority Councillor where I sat on range of regional, national and international boards and committees.
Job Titles:
- Chairman HR & Goverance Committee / Volunteer Lead
I am retired but started quite a few years ago as Volunteer Trustee whilst working for the Leeds Early Years services (as it was then known), I was asked to represent them on the Home Start Leeds board
My initial years of volunteering were very diverse and interesting, which led me, when I retired to stay on as a Volunteer. I have always admired the ethos and dedication of the organisation. During my time on the Board I have servicd as chair and enjoyed the challenge.
I find my background in working with families and young children has been really helpful. In my spare time I am an avid traveller and also enjoy cooking!