Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
Partnership
Closed for new delivery partnersParticipants
Open for new participantsLocation
York and North YorkshireAudience
Economically inactive individuals, or individuals in work experiencing significant barriers to progressionDeadline
31st March 2026What is Rise2Thrive Trailblazer?
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Mayoral Combined Authority through the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, Rise2Thrive and Trailblazer are two complementary employability support programmes delivered through a unified, collaborative partnership.
These partnership programmes are designed for adults in York and North Yorkshire who are economically inactive and facing barriers to engaging with employment and training opportunities, or those in employment and facing significant barriers to career progression.
Through the programmes, individuals receive tailored 1-2-1 advice, mentoring and employability support, and have access to specific interventions designed to help tackle their barriers.
This combination of support is designed to improve people’s health, confidence, skills, circumstances and ultimately their employability, moving them closer towards a position where they are thriving in their life and in work.
Whilst the Rise2Thrive focuses on supporting those both inside and outside of work, the Trailblazer exclusively offers enhanced support to key cohorts of economically inactive people, with a specific focus on supporting:
- 16-24yr olds
- 50-64yr olds
- Individuals experiencing long term sickness
- Rural and coastal inactive communities
Rise2Thrive and Trailblazer run from May 2025 through until March 2026.
How does it work?
Rise2Thrive Trailblazer is delivered through a partnership of 35 hyper-local voluntary and community sector organisations, all with different specialisms, based across the breadth of York and North Yorkshire.
The projects utilise our tried and tested Keyworker and Intervention model. Interested participants initially arrange to meet with a Keyworker who discusses the project and checks eligibility and suitability. If the project is suitable, the Keyworker signs the participant up and becomes their main project mentor, providing them with tailored 1-2-1 support and mentoring for the whole time they remain on the programme. If specific barriers are identified, then Keyworkers can refer participants to access project interventions. Interventions cover a range of areas including; therapy and counselling, debt advice and financial support, housing support, wellbeing activities, basic skills and vocational training.
The programmes don’t have a defined length of support. On average, participants are supported for between 3-6 months, but this can be extended if required and appropriate.
Check Out The Launch Below!
If you have any questions about Rise2Thrive Trailblazer or want to make a referral, call us on 01423 795300 or email us at programmes@betterconnect.org.uk.
News and Updates
Connecting Work, Health and Skills Through Local Linking Events
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Rise2Thrive & Trailblazer
Join Us For Local Linking Events This July This July, we’re bringing together different stakeholders, partners, and organisations who make a real impact on the lives of local people across York and North Yorkshire. Throughout the month, we’ll be hosting a series of local linking events across our current delivery districts. These events are
A New Chapter: Launching Rise2Thrive & Trailblazer
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Impact
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Rise2Thrive & Trailblazer
We’re Excited to Announce the Launch of Rise2Thrive and Trailblazer! On the 13th of May, we officially launched Rise2Thrive and Trailblazer — our two newest partnership programmes designed to unlock potential and expand opportunities for adults across York and North Yorkshire. Joined by our partnership of locally rooted community organisations, the Mayor of York
Launches, Awards & Life Changing Transformation: Celebrating a Year in Programmes
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Impact
multiply
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Rise2Thrive
SHINE
It’s been a busy year for programmes at Better Connect. Last March, we kicked off the last year of Multiply delivery (year 3 of 3) with a bang, commissioning two cases studies with Inspired Youth, and in May, excitedly welcomed Rise2Thrive and SHINE to our programme offer. Over the past 12 months, we’ve
Life in Colour – Impact Event
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Impact
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Rise2Thrive
SHINE
On Friday 31st January, we held an event at Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate to celebrate the impact of our programmes and partnerships across Yorkshire. This was our largest event ever with 150 people booked on, our partners, participants, friends and key people from across Yorkshire. The theme of the event was ‘Life in
Partnerships in Action – Rural Arts & Thrive Outside
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Impact
Mental Health
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Rise2Thrive
In September, our team spent an inspiring morning capturing some of the support taking place on the Rise2Thrive [R2T] programme with two of our delivery partners, Thirsk based charity Rural Arts, and York based Thrive Outside – a nature-based CIC combining their love of green spaces with outdoor crafts. Part of an ongoing collaboration
Rise2Thrive – Meet St Giles
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Impact
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Rise2Thrive
We’ve recently launched a new programme for the people of York and North Yorkshire – have you heard? Following the success of our RISE programme, Rise2Thrive (R2T) is the new iteration, with new partners and a mission to support individuals at all stages of their employment journey. 30 partners strong, we’ve collaborated with many of our
Upcycling, Furniture Restoration & Community Engagement – Meet Futureworks
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Impact
Mental Health
multiply
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Rise2Thrive
Our Impact team recently spent the day in Scarborough visiting Futureworks, before heading down to Mindful Photography UK’s exhibition at The Street. Having worked with us over many years and multiple programmes, it’s clear the positive impact that Futureworks have on the Scarborough community, and it’s a pleasure to have the team as part of
Reflections & New Connections – Orb’s Ways to Wellbeing Group
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Impact
Mental Health
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Rise2Thrive
Wellbeing Resources
A couple of weeks ago, our impact team had the opportunity to sit in on a session with Orb Community Arts (one of our brilliant R2T and Multiply partners) and to speak with some of their service users about a course they’d taken part in with the arts-based charity. Meeting Gemma and Barbara amidst
Mindful Photography UK – New Rise2Thrive Partner
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Rise2Thrive
We’ve recently launched a new programme for the people of York and North Yorkshire – have you heard? Following the success of our RISE programme, Rise2Thrive (R2T) is the new iteration, with new partners and a mission to support individuals at all stages of their employment journey to boot. 33 partners strong, we’ve collaborated
Harrogate Skills For Living – Meet one of our R2T Partners!
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Disability
Impact
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Rise2Thrive
Thriving at Work
We’ve recently launched a new programme for the people of York and North Yorkshire – have you heard? Following the success of our RISE programme, Rise2Thrive (R2T) is the new iteration, with new partners and a mission to support individuals at all stages of their employment journey to boot. 33 partners strong, we’ve collaborated
Meet Our RT2 Partners – Training For Employment
Blog
Impact
news item
Rise2Thrive
We’ve recently launched a new programme for the people of York and North Yorkshire – have you heard? Following the success of our RISE programme, Rise2Thrive (R2T) is the new iteration, with new partners and a mission to support individuals at all stages of their employment journey to boot. 33 partners strong, we’ve collaborated
A Final Look- Celebrating The Impact of RISE
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Impact
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Research & Reports
RISE
Rise2Thrive
At the end of April, delivery officially finished for our yearlong RISE programme, a programme headed by a partnership of 21 community-based organisations across York and North Yorkshire, and led by Better Connect. Lately, we’ve spoken a lot about qualitative impact- of the lives the programme has supported and, in some cases, transformed. We’ve
Luke’s Story on RISE
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Impact
Mental Health
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RISE
Rise2Thrive
As part of our RISE celebration series and as we conclude the programme, today the focus is on Luke’s journey with RISE partner Foundation UK, and dedicated Selby & Harrogate based Keyworker, Joanna (Jo). Based across the North of England, Foundation UK have been working with care leavers, domestic abuse victims,
Launching Rise2Thrive
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Impact
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RISE
Rise2Thrive
Thriving at Work
We are excited to share with you that we have been successful at securing a new partnership programme across York and North Yorkshire, Rise2Thrive! Rise2Thrive is funded through the governments UKSPF fund, and distributed across North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council. What is Rise2Thrive? Building off the success from our previous programmes,
The Team
Alex Kelley
Programmes Director
01423 795309 or ext 2001akelley@betterconnect.org.uk
Community Anchor Impact Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Alex
Alex’s is the Programmes Director at Better Connect, overseeing the amazing programmes that we manage across the organisation. Leading and supporting the Programmes and Impact Team, Alex’s role has a strong focus on development. This includes developing staff, systems, processes and relationships with delivery partners, funders and stakeholders. All to ensure that Better Connect programmes are successful, achieve their aims and ultimately transform people’s lives. Alex is also an Executive Director and member of the Board, contributing to the strategic direction of the company. The best bit of his job is seeing the life-changing impact that Better Connect programmes have on those involved.
“We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them.”
— Kahlil Gibran
The Official Bit
Alex has a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology, a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management and a PTLLS teaching qualification. Alex began his career in customer service, moved to work in banking and then joined Better Connect following University in 2012. He felt a strong connection to the values and work within the community sector and has developed his career within the Better Connect, progressing from an Assistant to his current role as Programmes Director. Along the way, Alex has worked across almost every aspect of the company. For Alex, the most important part of work is feeling as though it is meaningful and that it is making a positive difference to society.
Fun Fact
Becomes overly competitive when playing sport or games
Piece of Advice
Count your blessings, every day.
Christine Brass
Relationship Manager
01423 795306 or ext 2014cbrass@betterconnect.org.uk
Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Christine
Christine’s role as a Relationship Manager sees her manage the relationships and collaboration with our partner organisations across each of our programmes.
Her primary objective, is to support effective partnerships through working together to share best practice, build relationships and champion our partnership approach – enabling us to deliver successful and meaningful programmes.
Her key focus is to provide proactive management support for the partnership and the funders.
“What worries you, masters you - John Locke”
The Official Bit
Christine developed her skills whilst working for many years in the Financial Sector in Customer Services and Marketing. There she established a keen eye for detail, negotiating skills, and creative thinking. Gaining skills in organisation, people management and leadership, in particular.
She joined Better Connect in 2020, when she was at a crossroads and realised that working in the voluntary and community sector would be more meaningful and rewarding than being driven by profit. Working for and with people who value people and who operate inclusively without discrimination is a reward every day.
Fun Fact
I’m a mean painter and decorator
Piece of Advice
Don’t stress over things you cannot control, it’s a waste of your precious energy
Favourite Place
The Pembrokeshire Coast – beautifully unspoilt
Emily Lain
Finance and Audit Coordinator
01423 795300elain@betterconnect.org.uk
Community Anchor Finance Team Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Emily
Emily is one of the Finance and Audit Co-ordinators for Better Connect. She started this role in January 2022 after finishing her time on her Kickstart role . Her responsibilities now include checking financial claims, audit work, elements of book keeping, and maintaining partner relationships. For Emily, the best parts about the job are the welcoming environment created by everyone, and knowing that the work she’s doing is helping to make a difference in people’s lives.
“Get busy living or get busy dying”
— Stephen King
The Official Bit
Emily has a BA (Hons) in Equestrian Management and Development from Myerscough College. She previously worked at Subway and has experience working in the equine industry. Working in an organisation like Better Connect is a first for Emily and she has enjoyed the progression from Kickstart Assistant, to a fulltime member of the finance team.
Emily is excited to learn more about the workings of the voluntary sector and how she can be a part of it. She’s passionate about getting involved with promotional activities for Better Connects’ programmes, reading people’s experiences, and supporting the network of partners across the projects.
Fun Fact
I knew how to ride a horse before I knew how to ride a bike
Favourite Place
The lake/ponds local to where I live
Hannah Prole
Head of Impact
01423 795304 or ext 2010HProle@betterconnect.org.uk
Community Anchor Impact Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Hannah
Hannah is our Head of Impact at Better Connect. Her role is to show the impact that Better Connect, our programmes and partnerships are making in many different ways such as through case studies, social media, our website, networking, events and presentations. Hannah is passionate about creating positive environments that people feel safe to be themselves in, especially at work.
Hannah loves meeting new people and hearing their stories, really getting to know why people are the way they are and why they do what they do.
Hannah loves being creative and getting into ‘flow’ with her work. She loves making things and being involved in the creative process. Hannah loves working for Better Connect because she gets to have variety in her role and appreciates the positive culture and focus on wellbeing.
“The truest, most beautiful life never promised to be an easy one. We need to let go of the lie that it’s all supposed to be easy.
”
— Glennon Doyle
The Official Bit
Hannah has a BA (Hons) in Theatre, specialising in working with and supporting Young People with learning difficulties and mental health issues to gain confidence and feel safe in positive spaces. She thrives in a creative environment and tries to bring those skills into everything she does at Better Connect.
Hannah began her career at 16, working in customer facing roles until the age of 23. She will always be grateful for the experience she gained in these roles and feel that they helped her to engage with partners and stakeholders. After finishing University, Hannah worked at York Theatre Royal as a Research and Evaluation Graduate Intern. Whilst at the Theatre, Hannah learnt about the voluntary sector and began volunteering with various community groups in York delivering theatre-style workshops to vulnerable people.
Hannah has worked at Better Connect since 2017, starting in the Programmes Team as an Assistant. Since then, she has worked across various funding streams and programmes, working her way up to becoming a Programme Manager in 2020. Now our Head of Impact, Hannah is inspired every day by the amazing work that partners do in their communities and loves that she can have a role that helps highlight the impact both Better Connect and our partners are making. She loves being part of an organisation that wants to make a positive difference in the world.
Hannah is also a Trustee for a charity based in Leeds called Purple Patch Arts. Purple Patch Arts exists to provide innovative, inclusive, creative learning opportunities that improve the lives of learning-disabled and autistic adults by expanding their understanding of, and engagement with, the world.
Fun Fact
Obsessed with TV Chef, Rick Stein (and cooking programmes/food in general!)
Things I love
Dogs! I have my own dog called Boba, who is named after the bounty hunter in Star Wars Boba Fett!
Jacky Wendon
Programme Finance and Data Manager
01423 795307 or ext 2015JWendon@betterconnect.org.uk
Finance Team Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Jacky
Jacky is our Finance and Data Manager and is responsible for data collation, research, compliance, analysis and reporting for our projects as well as undertaking Internal Audits and supporting and coaching the Finance team.
Jacky really enjoys Analytical work and likes to think she has an eye for detail! She is a natural organiser and feels lucky to be part of a team where people are valued and listened to. Better Connect is a supportive and welcoming environment and everyone is so friendly.
The Official Bit
Jacky has a background in the Commercial and Financial industry and over the last 17 years she has worked in roles where she has done a mixture of Business Support, Audits, Finance, HR, Research, Data, Analysis and Systems support. Here at Better Connect, Jacky feels that she can use the skills she has gained throughout her career to thrive in her role at a company where she truly believed in their values.
Jacky started at Better Connect in November 2020 as a Finance and Audit Co-ordinator responsible for checking financial claims and undertaking Audit work. Since then, she progressed into becoming the Finance and Data Manager in 2022 where she feels she is able to utilise her Analytical, Organisational, Finance and Management skills further which she thoroughly enjoys.
Jacky really enjoys working alongside amazing people who support and encourage each other and being part of an organization who really care about each other and help make a difference in transforming people’s lives.
Fun Fact
I love older music, particularly 60s Music!
Piece of Advice
It’s nice to be nice, so treat people how you would like to be treated.
Favourite Place
Madeira – It’s so beautiful, dramatic and inspiring
Joe McKenzie
Relationship Manager
01423 795319 or ext 2012jmckenzie@betterconnect.org.uk
Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Joe
Joe plays a key role in nurturing and strengthening our partnerships across all programmes. As Relationship Manager, he supports our partner organisations, ensuring every relationship is built on trust, shared learning, and a commitment to making a real difference.
His focus is on creating and sustaining effective, high-impact partnerships—bringing people together to share best practice, build strong connections, and champion our collaborative approach.
Working with Christine and Sybille, Joe supports partners to meet their goals and deliver high-quality, meaningful work.
What he finds most rewarding is seeing the incredible impact our partners have in their communities, and celebrating the stories that emerge from their work.
“The most important thing you can do in life is to seek truth and surrender to it”
— Gloria Gaynor
The Official Bit
Joe has a BA in Philosophy and is also mental health first aid trained.
Previously Joe worked in a Leeds school as a literacy tutor and then briefly at an insurance firm as an administrative assistant. He then joined Better Connect in 2017, as a programme coordinator: assisting partners and ensuring all their paperwork and claims were correct. He then became a manager, steering ATI towards success.
He also contributes to Better Connect’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as our EDI champion.
This work matters to Joe because it creates tangible positive results for so many people – from improved mental health to giving people employment opportunities. He loves that the programmes unlock people’s full potential.
Fun Fact
Is an amateur DJ
Favourite Place
Thailand
Peice of Advice
Be kind to others, and to yourself
Jonah Potter
Finance and Audit Coordinator
01423 795314 or ext 2013JPotter@betterconnect.org.uk
Finance Team Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Jonah
Jonah is one of the Finance and Audit Coordinator at Better Connect. Internally, he assists staff in finance functions through auditing. Externally, he assists our partners across our partnership programmes. The best part of his job is constantly learning and being challenged as well as the amazing team he works within.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
”
— Mahatma Gandhi
The Official Bit
Jonah started his career in a multinational financial technology company and progressed to Better Connect in 2019. He originally started out as a Programmes Coordinator and has since moved into a more finance focused role.
Jonah believes that the third sector is a vital part of creating a kinder and more inclusive society.
Favourite Place
St Andrews Golf Course
Favourite Book
The Lord of the Rings
Julie Geraghty
Head of Programme Finance and Audit
01423 795317 or ext 2004JGeraghty@betterconnect.org.uk
Finance Team Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Julie
Julie is Head of Programme Finance and audit, so is responsible for ensuring the programme operates compliantly within all the funding regulations. She particularly loves the nitty gritty detail and finding solutions to help smooth out any issues. The best thing about working here is the fabulous team of people and the genuine culture of nurture and support.
“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
”
— Henry Van Dyke
The Official Bit
Julie has a BA (Hons) in Urban Geography and a Certificate in Management from Leeds University. She began her career piloting and running projects within the Chamber of Commerce and then later with the then Training and Enterprise Council. She took a career break whilst bringing up her children and worked part-time in a call centre for a well-known bank where she gained valuable experience of frontline customer service. Following redundancy, Julie set up her own business which she ran for several years until being drawn back into programme management, ultimately leading her to Better Connect in 2018.
Julie is a strong believer in the provision of opportunities for everyone and this runs through the core of Better Connect.
Piece of Advice
Be a mindful spender – Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves
Favourite Place
Nidd Gorge and the stunning wooded walks
Laura Sandiford
Impact Manager
01423 795303 or ext 2016lsandiford@betterconnect.org.uk
Community Anchor Impact Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Laura
A keen storyteller & collaborator, Laura works as the Impact Manager together with our Head of Impact, Hannah, where she measures and highlights the impact of Better Connect across the business, programmes and partnerships.
She does so by working with a range of partners, participants and externals to gather information and stories, which she then translates into a range of engaging content across Better Connect’s channels. Ensuring the ‘Better Connect’ story is woven throughout all communications is a large part of Laura’s role, as is demonstrating the ripple effect across our programmes, partnerships, and sector-advocacy.
Laura’s favourite part of the role is connecting with the faces behind the case studies and giving voice to their experiences.
“I can resist everything except temptation”
— Oscar Wilde
The Official Bit
Laura formerly spent 2 years working as a Participant Experience Coordinator on one of Better Connects’ ESF & Lottery funded projects, Action Towards Inclusion. She is a huge advocate for sustainable social change, and believes this begins with supporting and empowering individuals, and championing social inclusion.
Within this role, she managed the collaboration between partners, keyworkers, and participants on an administrative and ESF/National Lottery compliant scale. She also tracked the ‘Participant Journey’ from start to finish, following participant engagement across the programme.
Laura has a first-class BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature from the University of Sheffield.
Favourite Place
Sheffield / Mwnt (Wales)
Fun Fact
Was in an amateur production at Harrogate Theatre
Natasha Babar-Evans
Chief Executive Officer
07725447623nbabarevans@betterconnect.org.uk
Community Anchor Finance Team Impact Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Natasha
Natasha is the Chief Executive Officer at Better Connect. Natasha is proud to be leading this amazing team at Better Connect who are helping to make Yorkshire a place where every person can thrive in life and work. Better Connect has a great track record of delivery, partnership working and an incredibly committed team which are helping to transform lives. Natasha joined in May 2022 and instantly connected with the team and our vision. Natasha is focused on empowering the team and our partners to do more and be more. She absolutely loves being part of a team who are so full of purpose, thrive on autonomy and are experts in what we do. But it’s not just about the impact we are making and achieving our goals for Natasha, it’s about how we do it and having loads of fun along the way.
““Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible””
— Dalai Lama
The Official Bit
Natasha has always enjoyed working in roles which are focused on enabling people and businesses to thrive in the North.
Before joining Better Connect as CEO, Natasha worked at Relate Bradford & Leeds helping people to develop and sustain healthy relationships and improve their mental health and wellbeing. She has been an entrepreneur and COO of Wizu Workspace a flexible workspace provider supporting the growth of businesses in Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield.
Natasha completed an MBA at Leeds University in 2016, where she is now a leader in residence. She then went on to be Regional Entrepreneur Director for NatWest supporting and helping to coach hundreds of entrepreneurs in accelerators across the North to start, scale and succeed. Natasha has both a banking and legal background. She worked as a banking lawyer at Walker Morris following which she joined Regional Lloyds Bank team as the Regional Sales Director and Client Services Director.
Natasha was appointed as a board member and trustee in 2021 for Trust Leeds, she has been on LEP investment steering groups, she has recently been appointed as an independent panel member at AFC(H) and is completing a NED insights programme shadowing NHS boards.
Fun Fact
I love grass roots football! I play for Leeds City Lasses and help coach under 8 and 9 girls football. (I love playing sports…I might be just a little bit competitive!)
Piece of advice
Outside of your comfort zone is where the magic happens
Sybille Sullivan
Programmes Coordinator
01423 795315ssullivan@betterconnect.org.uk
Rise2Thrive Trailblazer
About Sybille
Sybille is our Programmes Coordinator across our programmes, and works alongside Relationship Managers, Joe and Christine, to support partner relationships, programme administration and the ins and outs of partnership collaboration.
She was formerly one of the Finance and Audit Co-ordinators, and has been with us since March 2022.
“Not all of us can do great things. But all of us can do small things with great love ”
— Mother Teresa
The Official Bit
I was born in Heidelberg in Germany where I lived until the age of 25 before moving to Yorkshire with my family. I studied psychology, anatomy and physiology and initially worked with people of all ages with hearing loss and hearing difficulty.
Having worked in healthcare, private sector and the NHS for several years in various roles, I feel very privileged to learn about the voluntary sector and the lifechanging difference this makes for so many individuals and even more privileged to be a part of a warm, dedicated and enthusiastic team.
Fun fact
I love anything creative and am always making something
Piece of advice
Act as if what you do makes a difference, it does - William James