Who We Are

I am Head of Operations for Gloucestershire VCS Alliance. One of my key responsibilities is building the relationship between the VCSE sector and the organisations that make up One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System. In this role I attend the VCSE Strategic Partnership meetings and currently act as Chairperson. I have a strong interest in enabling people to take up leadership roles and am a trustee of Thera, a national support provider which is co-led by people with a learning disability. Outside of work I am learning to photograph wildlife; this helps me relax and stay connected with the natural world.

I am a charity founder and CEO of Disabled People’s Organisation Inclusion Gloucestershire, working to ensure that people facing disabling barriers are valued, respected and included every day and in every way. I have worked in Gloucestershire’s voluntary sector for over 10 years and am also an Associate Non Executive Director of Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, working to represent the voice of communities and foster partnership working with the VCS. As a disabled woman, I am passionate about coproduction, partnership working to remove disabling barriers and working alongside groups who are seldom heard.

I am CEO of Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) where I advocate for volunteering and community action throughout the Forest of Dean and beyond. I have 13 years’ experience in leadership roles within the VCSE sector, from managing two Children’s Centres to acting as a Director of a Social Care organisation that helps people with disabilities and complex reputations to live better lives. I am a Safeguarding Trainer and regularly lecture at universities on Community Development and safeguarding within the VCSE sector. I am a Rising Leaders Fellow with the Aspen Institute, a Town Councillor, Music Festival Chair and passionate community organiser.

I am CEO of Active Gloucestershire and a member of the counties Enabling Active Communities and Individuals committee and Gloucestershire’s Healthier Communities Together Stewardship Group. I sit on the Integrated Care Partnership as a representative for the VCSE Strategic Alliance. My areas of interest are systems leadership and strength and asset-based approaches to preventative health.

In my day job as CEO at Barnwood Trust I am responsible for ensuring that we deliver the overall vision and strategy that the Trustees have agreed and achieve the goals they have set. In different ways, I have been a passionate advocate for social change related to disability throughout my working life – my driving values have been fairness, equity, opportunity and creating space for un-listened to voices to be heard. And I have learned that change is best made at grass roots – that’s where the opportunity to make a difference really lies.

I am the founder and Director of Create Gloucestershire, a community led movement to make arts, culture and creativity everyday for everyone. I live and work in Gloucestershire and have done for the last 30 years. I am a Trustee of Barnwood Trust and previously a member of the Arts Council South West Board. I have always worked in the VCSE sector with roles in housing, youth work and regeneration. I am passionate about social justice and working out how we achieve this in Gloucestershire in a way that is sustainable for both humans and the planet.

I am the Chief Officer of the Gloucestershire VCS Alliance. I attend the Integrated Care Partnership as a representative of the sector, and am also a member of Enabling Active Communities and a director of the LEP. I am passionate about the work and value of the VCSE sector and am committed to ensuring that the sector is seen and treated as an equal partner with our public sector colleagues. Outside of work I enjoy going for walks in our beautiful Gloucestershire countryside.

I’m Lucy, and am delighted to have recently joined the VCSE Strategic Partnership. I have worked in Gloucestershire charities for the past ten years, beginning my career in Museums and Galleries before moving to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust as Community Action Manager in 2023. My focus is on using a community organising approach to give people the tools and skills to make change on their doorstep. At home I enjoy geocaching and baking with my two children and running through the countryside near my house.