Community and Voluntary Sector Leadership

I’ve loved volunteering in my local community for as long as I can remember. From being a youth leader in the Girls’ Brigade as a teenager to chairing a national charity in my thirties, volunteer roles have helped me develop my management skills and hone my personal leadership style. Most importantly, I’ve expanded my understanding of the diverse human experience and learnt first hand how I can use my voice and skills to support communities, and support them to advocate for themselves.

Read more about my leadership roles in the community and voluntary sector below.

A white woman in her thirties with blonde hair and glasses smiles at the camera and holds up a sign that says "LGBT+ ally, I love that for you"

  • I served four years as a trustee of The Proud Trust, the UK’s leading organisation supporting LGBTQ+ young people and the adults supporting them. Initially co-opted as Governance Committee Chair, I later served as Co-chair of the Board for two terms. During my tenure, I supported staff, service users and external stakeholders through a period of organisational and political uncertainty. Key responsibilities included:

    • Engaging with the UK Government during a period of high-profile policy change, including responding to consultations, supporting engagement with politicians, and amplifying young LGBTQ+ people’s voices to policymakers

    • Navigating a change in senior leadership, including the recruitment and on-boarding of new trustees and the recruitment of a new Chief Executive

    • Supporting staff during this time of upheaval, leading in a visible and open manner, including facilitating regular Town Hall events and away days for staff

    • Overseeing the re-development and opening of The Proud Place, a LGBTQ+ community venue in Manchester city centre

    • As Governance Committee Chair, I oversaw a number of tasks to improve the organisation’s internal and external governance processes, including policy audits, risk register review, and implementing the Charity Commission’s Governance Code

  • I served as Vice President and Secretary of Manchester Women’s Institute, providing social, networking, and skills building opportunities for women across Greater Manchester. During my tenure, I helped increase membership from 80 to 150 women, with a renewed focus on membership engagement, community outreach, and undertaking actions to improve inclusivity and accessibility. I was also part of a national steering group on equality, diversity and inclusion, making recommendations to the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. We were even featured in the Christmas edition of The Guardian for reviving the WI with our “modern twist”!

  • Queen Bee Coaching is a volunteer-led coaching programme, providing leadership coaching and professional development for women from disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups

    I was also part of the committee organising monthly CPD sessions for coaches and clients, including facilitating peer networking and panel discussions

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