2012 VCS Advocate election - results
Vote results | Voting terms and conditions | List of VCS Advocate nominations | Personal statements from nominees |
VCS Advocate election result
Following the vote these people have been elected:
VCS Advocate to the Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board (two Positions)
VCS Advocate to the Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board
VCS Advocate to the Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
VCS Advocate to the North Area Partnership Executive Group
VCS Advocate to the South Area Partnership Executive Group
VCS Advocate to the Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group
VCS Advocate to the Health and Wellbeing Board
VCS Advocate to the Safer Bristol Partnership
VCS Advocate to the Reducing Re-offending board
*Judith Davis was elected to two positions but has chosen to be the VCS Advocate to Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group. Graham England who came second in the election will fill this position.
- We requested that each short personal statements from the VCS Advocate nominees was read before votes were cast.
- Voluntary and Community Sector organisations based, or working, in Bristol were eligible to vote.
- Each organisation could cast one vote for each VCS Advocate positions listed.
- Each organisation could vote for people nominated from their organisation.
- Voting took place between Monday 23 January – Tuesday 7 February 2012
Click here for more information about VCS Advocates or contact Matthew Symonds by email: matthew@voscur.org or call (0117) 909 9949
List of VCS Advocate nominations
Please navigate your way from the menu below to see the nominations for each VCS Advocate position or click here to download a PDF of all the VCS Advocate nominees (in alphabetical order) the positions they were nominated for and their personal statements.
Nominations for the Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board
Nominations for the Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board
Nominations for the Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
Nominations for the North Area Partnership Executive Group
Nominations for the South Area Partnership Executive Group
Nominations for the Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group
Nominations for the Health and Wellbeing Board
Nominations for the Safer Bristol Partnership
Nominations for the Reducing Re-offending board
Dom Wood (1625 Independent People)
Frances Fox (The Bridge Foundation)
Joanna Holmes (Barton Hill Settlement)
Kate Oliver (The Care Forum)
Poku Pipim Osei (Babbasa Youth Empowerment Projects (BYEP))
Quentin St.Clair (Help! Counselling)
Sandra Meadows (PEYTU)
Steve Smith (Young Bristol)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
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Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board
David Glossop (The Wheels Project)
Gemma Timons (Envision)
Poku Pipim Osei (Babbasa Youth Empowerment Projects (BYEP))
Quentin St.Clair (Help! Counselling)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
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Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
Cezara Nanu (Platform 51)
Frances Fox (The Bridge Foundation)
Joanna Holmes (Barton Hill Settlement)
Judith Davis (Full Circle Youth and Family Project)
Poku Pipim Osei (Babbasa Youth Empowerment Projects (BYEP))
Quentin St.Clair (Help! Counselling)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
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North Area Partnership Executive Group
Amanda Boyd-McLaughlin (Cherry D)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
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South Area Partnership Executive Group
Ali Hender (Brislington Neighbourhood Centre)
Cezara Nanu (Platform 51)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
Vicki Morris (Knowle West Health Park)
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Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group
Frances Fox (The Bridge Foundation)
Jonquil Richards (Barton Hill Settlement)
Judith Davis (Full Circle Youth and Family Project)
Quentin St.Clair (Help! Counselling)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
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Cezara Nanu (Platform 51)
Danny Hames (The Stroke Association)
Keith Sinclair (The Carers' Support Centre)
Peter Walker (Addiction Recovery Agency)
Sophia Ali (Kwads - Supporting Drug & Alcohol Affected Families)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
Vicki Morris (Knowle West Health Park)
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Alex Raikes (Support Against Racist Incidents)
Howard Symonds (1625 Independent People)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
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Graham England (Addiction Recovery Agency (ARA))
Judith Davis (Full Circle Youth and Family Project)
Sue Kelly (The Princes Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
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Personal statements from nominees
Name: Alex Raikes
Organisation: Support Against Racist Incidents (SARI)
Role in organisation: Assistant Director
Nominated for:
Safer Bristol Partnership - ELECTED
Personal Statement:
Alex Raikes mbe, ideally placed to be the Safer Bristol Partnership VCS Advocate because:
- 20 years dedicated to advocating for human rights as Assistant Director for S.A.R.I., instrumental in making it the successful, high profile charity that it is today.
- S.A.R.I.’s core business is community advocacy and safety for victims of race hate crime!
- Specialist knowledge re: hate crime, crime reduction, community safety, equalities and critical role of the VCS!
- Committed and active Voscur rep since 2006, for EAG, Safer Bristol Partnership, Community Safety Joint Commissioning Group!
- Track record for overcoming challenges faced by sector and influencing!
- Had significant impact on Local Strategic Partnership, especially Safer Bristol Board by raising profile of Voscur and VCS as valuable, mainstream partners!
- Passionate about empowering community focussed VCS groups, known locally for this and often called upon to achieve results for the sector.
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Name: Ali Hender
Organisation: Brislington Neighbourhood Centre / Brislington Community Partnership
Role in organisation: Charity Manager/ Voluntary Vice Chair
Nominated for:
South Area Partnership Executive Group
Personal Statement:
I have been the voluntary sector rep to the South 3 board locality executive group (through Care Forum). I understand the difference between being an elected representative or an advocate and am happy to put myself forward as a community sector advocate to contribute to the South Area multiagency partnership.
I work in the voluntary sector, managing a small charity which runs after school clubs and holiday playschemes for 4-11 year olds and older peoples lunch clubs. We also provide volunteering opportunities and community development capacity to the area. In previous roles over the last 10 years in community work, I have been a youth worker with 10-18 year olds in 2 areas of deprivation in Bristol and have been Chair of Governors for a primary school for 6 years and involved in Community Associations.
I am well networked with faith groups in south Bristol and have an understanding of the capacity and diversity of 4 of the Christian denominations in south Bristol.
I have sat on many multiagency panels before and understand the potential and the limitations of these groups. As well as the Education locality executive rep, in the past I sat on the multiagency regeneration board for New Deal for communities, now I sit on the Children’s Centre Advisory board as the voluntary sector rep and attend Neighbourhood Partnership meetings.
To have a greater understanding of other voluntary sector organisations in the area in which I work, I volunteered to be vice chair of the Brislington Community Partnership, this has been a very informative network.
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Name: Amanda Boyd-McLaughlin
Organisation: Cherry D
Role in organisation: Chief Executive/Project Manager
Nominated for:
North Area Partnership Executive Group
Personal Statement:
Cherry D was set up as a development resource for the Bristol VCS. In the current climate of policy development we see one aspect of this is to be involved and influential with public and private sector initiatives.
I believe that my skills and experience would be a useful and relevant match for the Partnership Executive Group and that I would be able to constructively input into the work. I would bring a proven knowledge, expertise and contacts with the Bristol VCS across a broad range of sector groups and a spread of issues. As part of my main role I try to keep up to date with relevant issues affecting the VCS in Bristol. I have wide experience of working in a meeting environment and I would fully commit to reporting back.
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Name: Cezara Nanu
Organisation: Platform 51
Role in organisation: Centre Manager
Nominated for:
Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
South Area Partnership Executive Group
Health and Wellbeing Board
Personal Statement:
I am a very active, enthusiastic individual with a passion for human rights and social justice. I the past year, I have been actively involved in the South Area Partnership Executive Board and would like to continue doing that so that I can further reflect our work with other VSOs from South Bristol in the Board and vice versa.
Platform 51 have also been actively involved in the city wide consultation on mental health in Bristol and advocate for improved access to health services for women, migrants, ethnic minorities and other groups. Being an advocate on the Health and Wellbeing Board will allow me to engage more in this process and work closer together with other VSOs and statutory agencies.
Similarly my work over the past year on a Department of Health funded project to provide early intervention support to women with peri-natal depression means that I have spent a lot of time learning gaps and service provision for children and families. I could make a significant contribution to the group.
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Name: Danny Hames
Organisation: The Stroke Association
Role in organisation: Regional Head of Operations
Nominated for:
Health and Wellbeing Board
Personal Statement:
I have worked in the community and voluntary sector for the last 12 years, working in the drug and alcohol field as a practitioner, and then a manager for 9 years, and now work with the Stroke Association in Bristol. I have a post graduate certificate in the Voluntary Sector, and I am currently studying to achieve my Masters in this subject area.
I have had the fortune to work as a practitioner and as a senior manager in the sector. I am used to working with a wide variety of organisations and people, and representing and advocating their views to senior statutory decision makers in health and social care. Through experience, and my studies, I have grown used to understanding and interpreting policy to many audiences. I would welcome and value the opportunity to use these skills on behalf of the VCS on the health and wellbeing board.
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Name: David Glossop
Organisation: The Wheels Project
Role in organisation: General Manager (Director)
Nominated for:
Children & Young People's Outcome Board (2 places)
Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board
Personal Statement:
I have been running The Wheels Project for 20 years, delivering successful outcomes in attainment and progression for disadvantaged young people aged 13-24 in the greater Bristol area.
I am a former Probation Officer and Maths teacher. I have an extensive local and regional network of contacts in alternative and further education and the criminal justice system. These include, schools, Pupil Referral Units, Youth Inclusion projects, Learning Partnership West, Offender Management and Youth Offending Teams.
I am fully conversant with the Children and Young People’s plan, how it fits with Bristol’s 20:20 plan, national strategies; and the importance of involving families in the overall wellbeing of children and young people.
I am a keen advocate of a child and family centred approach to attainment and the needs of voluntary sector organisations working throughout Bristol to improve the attainment and progression of our young people.
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Name: Dom Wood
Organisation: 1625 Independent People
Role in organisation: Chief Executive
Nominated for:
Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board - ELECTED
Personal Statement:
I have worked in various roles in the VCS in Bristol since 1990 and led both Priority Youth Housing and Independent People over the last 7 years. I have fulfilled many rep roles for the VCS and for Housing Providers including places on the following:
- Prevention and Early Intervention Workstream
- Homes4Bristol Exec
- Bristol Housing Partnership
I have been involved in outcomes commissioning both as a provider of services and as a VCS rep in BCC commissioning. I understand the needs of the sector and commissioners and how to marry these up.
I am used to advocating for all size groups in the VCS and understand the need to report back issues as well as influence strategy. I also recognise the need for both hard and soft outcomes when measuring impact of services for children and young people.
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Name: Frances Fox
Organisation: The Bridge Foundation
Role in organisation: Director
Nominated for:
Children & Young People's Outcome Board
Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group
Personal Statement:
I have worked in the voluntary sector for 28 years as a social worker and psychotherapist in family centre and other community settings, with a particular focus on early intervention services for children and families.
I believe the voluntary sector has a vital role in providing effective and innovative services for vulnerable children and families. My interests include child & family preventative emotional health services which are accessible for all communities.
I would also stress the importance of developing good partnership working across all agencies. I bring many years experience of collaborative work and leadership skills.
I have previously served as a VCS rep on the Prevention & Early Intervention Board.
Iam currently a temporary VCS Rep on East Central Area Partnership – where I have extensive knowledge of relevant services and partners - and bring my particular expertise to the Emotional Health and Wellbeing task group.
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Name: Gemma Timons
Organisation: Envision
Role in organisation: Regional Manager
Nominated for:
Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board
Personal Statement:
Through extensive networking, partnership working and by attending many council, school and VCS meetings, I have a good understanding of the needs of the VCS community and the challenges we face.
As well as working closely with other VCS organisations, as the regional manager for Envision, I have direct experience of coordinating youth programmes in schools across Bristol. I am passionate about not only improving the attainment and aspirations of young people in Bristol, but also making sure that all organisations are working together to get the best outcomes for these young people. In a time when many organisations are facing funding cuts, it is more important than ever that the VCS community comes together and is represented in a fair and representative way. I believe I can give the VCS community a fair, transparent and confident voice if elected and would enjoy rising to the challenges of this role.
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Name: Graham England
Organisation: Addiction Recovery Agency (ARA)
Role in organisation: Director of Development
Nominated for:
Reducing Re-offending board
Personal Statement:
I have 15 years experience working in the voluntary sector at senior manger level, working for both national and Bristol based organisations.
I have a further 7 years experience working for local authorities and the NHS as a provider of services and at a strategic level.
These experiences have given me a real and practical understanding of the position and status that the voluntary community sector occupy in the delivery of services, the pressures and imbalance of power the sector faces, but most importantly the key role, vital services, skills and drive that the voluntary community sector brings to society.
Skill base includes:-
Developmental and change management
Strategic management
Operational management
Budgetary management
Contract management
Personal attributes:-
Political astuteness
Tenaciousness
Analytical
A win-win philosophy
Working in the substance misuse field gives me a great grounding for the Reducing Reoffending Board
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Name: Howard Symonds
Organisation: 1625 Independent People
Role in organisation: Operations Director
Nominated for:
Safer Bristol Partnership
Personal Statement:
I have been working with vulnerable 16-25 year olds in a supported housing setting for 10 years.
Our organisation manages accommodation in the community and I have been involved in working with Anti Social Behaviour, in multi agency partnerships, including Safer Bristol Partnership. Including problem solving for community safety issues and reducing ASB.
I represent our organisation at various multi agency meetings and am used to feeding back information to other groups.
I have very good written and oral communication skills.
I am used to working with partner Housing Associations that work in our communities in Bristol e.g. Knightstone, Places for People, BCC etc... and have established named contacts who deal with community safety issues and ASB.
I also have a strong commitment to helping create inclusive communities and feel that young people are a particular group that are under and mis represented.
I am happy to set aside time in my schedule to be an effective Advocate.
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Name: Joanna Holmes
Organisation: Barton Hill Settlement
Role in organisation: Chief Executive Officer
Nominated for:
Children & Young People's Outcome Board
Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
Personal Statement:
I have been a representative on the Prevention and Early Intervention Group for over a year and have learnt how to intervene appropriately and manage the paperwork, distillation of information etc. I think there is always more to learn. It has been very useful doing this work closely with another VCS rep as this helps develop understanding of the relevant issues. I am putting myself forward for both these groups but am only able to stand for one of them so will see how the voting goes and whether people making the selection want me to serve on either / or. I am also Chair of Locality and have developed a knowledge of policy, negotiating and dealing with 'the bigger picture'. I see the CYPS roles as vital to supporting the future of the Voluntary Sector in Bristol.
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Name: Jonquil Richards
Organisation: Barton Hill Settlement
Role in organisation: Services Manager
Nominated for:
Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group - ELECTED
Personal Statement:
I bring my skills and expertise as a senior manager of a large VCS multi-purpose organisation with the responsibility for a Family Support Centre, Youth & Play services a Drug & Alcohol Project and other community services.
I have a strong commitment and understanding of the value of partnership working in the VCS and through and work in partnership with other VCS organisations to provide services to children and families I have a good understanding of issues facing VCS agencies.
Through attendance at local and citywide meetings I consider that I have the links with many VCS agencies in the Central and East area and an understanding of the demographics and needs in this area.
My role at the Settlement is also the Child Protection Lead so I have experience of need for effective communication with statutory and VCS organisations to coordinate responses and to resolve issues.
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Name: Judith Davis
Organisation: Full Circle Youth and Family Project
Role in organisation: Member of Board of Directors
Nominated for:
Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group - ELECTED
Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group
Reducing Re-offending board
Personal Statement:
I have a wealth of experience in youth and community work for over 15 years. I settings both paid and unpaid. I am committed and passionate and have a sound Knowledge of effect of social economic, marginalized disadvantage on Young people and families with in communities. This has been demonstrable by me receiving the most Active Resident Award in 2007 by St. Paul’s Unlimited. Doing this work has helped me to develop a wide range of relevant skills of being Skilled in engaging with communities and young people .Excellent background in developing and implementing projects Ability to problem solve ,innovate, plan ‘organize, overcome barriers and implement solutions effectively.
I have a can do approach to working on behalf of other people, to make a real tangible difference to communities at a grass roots levels.
Some of the training I have been on over the years:
- Introduction to youth work
- Gang awareness training
- Neighbourhood wardens training scheme
- Making your time count
- Presentation skills workshop
- Creative ways of working with groups
- Motivating the unmotivated
- Working with young drug users
- Personal development Model
- Cycle Management training
- Risk assessment training
- The drugs economy: aspiration and opportunity
- Working With Black and Minority ethnic Young people
- Assertiveness training
- Active listening and communication
- The role of your tenants group
- Leadership training
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Name: Kate Oliver
Organisation: The Care Forum
Role in organisation: Voluntary Sector Services Manager
Nominated for:
Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board
Personal Statement:
I would advocate for: outcomes-led commissioning in which local voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) can participate; the needs of CYP from different equalities communities; health and wellbeing outcomes including the need for informal play and integrated family and carer support. I would seek VCS’s views and communicate the board’s work to the VCS.
Relevant expertise: manager of support services for VCS health and social care providers (adults and CYP); voluntary sector rep on the workforce development strategy group and Children’s Trust Board in Bristol (and previously on two CYP partnership boards); strategic planning, commissioning and service delivery as director of a Children’s Fund, including innovative engagement of CYP and measurement of emotional resilience; research officer for Save the Children; set up and co-ordinated Birmingham early years partnership with devolved local networks; ex-school governor; foster carer for young unaccompanied asylum seekers; trustee of a local charity; director of a social enterprise.
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Name: Keith Sinclair
Organisation: The Carers’ Support Centre
Role in organisation: Chief Executive
Nominated for:
Health and Wellbeing Board
Personal Statement:
I have over 15 years experience at a senor level in VCS organisations, the last 7 of which have been spent in Bristol.
Currently I am the Chief Executive of the Carers’ Support Centre, which provides emotional and practical support to adult and young carers (children) in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Previously I have worked at a senior level for both Age Concern and Citizens Advice.
My current role requires me to have an understanding of, and relationships with Bristol NHS, Social Care and Children and Young Peoples services.
From my existing role of VCS representative on the Compact Partners group and through my current and previous work, I have a good understanding of the issues facing the voluntary sector and the challenges ahead.
I am committed to ensuring that the voice of the VCS is heard by decision makers and promoting the value and diversity of the sector.
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Name: Peter Walker
Organisation: Addiction Recovery Agency
Role in organisation: Chief Executive
Nominated for:
Health and Wellbeing Board - ELECTED
Personal Statement:
I have worked in public services in Bristol and the surrounding areas for 30 years. Most of that time has been spent in the voluntary sector (20 years) and an equal amount in the not for profit sector ( 5 years ) and the statutory sector ( Bristol City Council and the NHS) (5 years).
I have been the Chief Executive of the Addiction Recovery Agency (ARA) for almost 15 years providing a wide range of advice, information, support and treatment services for people with drug and alcohol problems focussed on delivering integration and recovery.
I have substantial experience of public sector policy, commissioning and funding and believe the new Health and Wellbeing Boards provide and important opportunity for the voluntary sector to shape the future based on its own experience of service delivering, by advocating for holistic, joined up inclusive services.
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Name: Poku Pipim Osei
Organisation: Babbasa Youth Empowerment Projects (BYEP)
Role in organisation: Founder & Projects Coordinator
Nominated for:
Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board
Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board - ELECTED
Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
Personal Statement:
As a founder and projects coordinator of BYEP, Poku has developed award winning youth projects in enterprise and employability, targeting young people from predominantly BME and deprived communities. Poku’s graduate academic background in Psychology with Political science, and PGCert in Business Administration underpins his practical approach to prevalent youth issues. Poku also developed the unique community cohesion annual concert - Gloryfest, together with his volunteers, which brought over 700 people from diverse background together at the Colston Hall, Bristol in September. Poku’s skill-set which makes him suitable as a nominee include his:
- ability to understand and provide pragmatic solutions to youth related issues
- strategic leadership qualities, including building and managing networks and relationships at all levels; from staff to boards
excellent communication skills with the ability to understand that events are more often the product of complex systems of individual, structural, local, national & international forces
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Name: Quentin St.Clair
Organisation: Help! Counselling
Role in organisation: Case Manager and Counsellor / Therapist
Nominated for:
Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board
Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board
Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group
Personal Statement:
I have been a counsellor for Help! Counselling, a voluntary sector organisation providing counselling for young people aged 6-25 yrs old for nearly 3 years and their case manager, assessing new clients and allocating them to counsellors, for six months. I have previous experience as a VCS rep for Bristol South and have been involved in the consultation process for Modernising Mental Health. I have also been a trustee and director for a national charity, Institute of Transactional Analysis, for nearly 3 years. I work in private practice as a counsellor and hypnotherapist in Bristol.
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Name: Sandra Meadows
Organisation: PEYTU
Role in organisation: Chief Executive
Nominated for:
Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board - ELECTED
Personal Statement:
I am the Chief Executive Officer at PEYTU, a local charity providing professional development for the Children & Young People’s workforce. I have worked within the Bristol VCS for around 15 years, 10 of these at PEYTU. I am also VCS joint-rep to the Bristol Safeguarding Children’s Board (elected in 2009) and a Secondary school Governor.
My passion is to work collaboratively and creatively to ensure that;
- the needs of children and young people are addressed and supported through those who work with them
- the significant contribution of VCS service providers is recognised in all areas and
- that VCS issues or concerns are aired and considered
I believe that good, effective partnerships can make a real difference AND are key to ensuring that outcomes for the Children and Young People in Bristol continue to improve.
Thank you for your consideration.
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Name: Sophia Ali
Organisation: Kwads – Supporting Drug & Alcohol Affected Families
Role in organisation: Contracts & Communications Coordinator
Nominated for:
Health and Wellbeing Board
Personal Statement:
I have excellent skills that would allow me to be a valuable member of the Board. These include great communication skills and Board member experience - I currently sit as an advisor on the Bristol Safeguarding Childrens Board.
In my current role at Kwads, I have gained much local knowledge of the carer group we represent – the concerned others affected by their loved ones substance misuse and believe I can contribute towards assessing the needs of the local community and the development of strategic planning of local health and carers services. Also, a large aspect of my job involves developing and improving partnership working with other organisations. I have strong links with many local charities and organisations as I recognise the strength of working together to support a common cause and reach a mutual goal to build upon social capital and improve the health and well-being of our community.
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Name: Steve Smith
Organisation: Young Bristol
Role in organisation: Chief Executive
Nominated for:
Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board
Personal Statement:
I am the Chief Executive of Young Bristol, leading a staff team who provide positive activities to thousands of young people in our city every year.
Like other youth organisations in Bristol, Young Bristol is currently working towards commissioning for the Bristol Youth Link services, and I am leading on this work for the organisation. In this role, I routinely work with partners across the voluntary sector, and I am passionate about the sector working together for the benefit of young people, not individual organisations.
Outside my professional role, I work as a volunteer with Scouts, having previously managed around 300 volunteers providing scouting to over 1200 young people across north-west Bristol in the role of District Commissioner. I currently hold a voluntary role managing volunteers across the former Avon County. I am also a school governor at Blaise Primary and Nursery School in Henbury.
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Name: Sue Kelly
Organisation: The Prince's Trust, Fairbridge Bristol
Role in organisation: Manager of Fairbridge Bristol
Nominated for:
Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board
Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board
Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group
North Area Partnership Executive Group - ELECTED
South Area Partnership Executive Group
Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group
Health and Wellbeing Board
Safer Bristol Partnership
Reducing Re-offending board
Community Safety Joint Commissioning Group
Personal Statement:
I manage the Fairbridge Programme - providing holistic support for vulnerable young people; helping with their personal and social development and in building their resilience. Previously I worked as the Strategic lead for Youth services in North Somerset Council; Connexions Manager; Locality Leader; Services Manager for Shelter; Services Manager for Rethink.
I would be an effective VCS representative as I understand the complexity of statutory services and the interface with VCS; I have extensive knowledge of housing; mental health; social care; youth services; advice services; the NEET agenda.
With funding cuts to the VCS and public services, it’s crucial that there is holistic multi agency partnership working arrangements; that services are strategic relevant and can deliver positive outcomes within the Total Family and Total Place agenda. We all have to work together in bridging the gap between inequalities and in supporting the most vulnerable people in their health and wellbeing.
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Name: Vicki Morris
Organisation: Knowle West Health Park Company
Role in organisation: Chief Executive
Nominated for:
South Area Partnership Executive Group - ELECTED
Health and Wellbeing Board
Personal Statement:
I have worked in the Voluntary Sector for 20 years, in Rape Crisis, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services and now tackling health inequalities in South Bristol. I believe that locally driven, accountable initiatives can provide the best way for communities to overcome the challenges they face. I am saddened when small local groups perish because the commissioning of larger contracts favours larger national organisations. I want the local VCS to work together to get the best possible outcomes for local people, and ensure that money is well spent. I firmly believe that users must play an active part in defining, shaping and evaluating their own services, though I do not see committee meetings and form filling as the way to achieve this. I value services that evolve according to needs, this can only happen by being alive to the changing needs and priorities of local people. I would enthusiastically represent the needs of people here in South Bristol.
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