Tell us a bit about yourself
I have been CEO of Isle of Wight Youth Trust since 2021. The Youth Trust provides counselling, wellbeing and practical support to young islanders aged 5-25. With over 30 years’ experience within the VCSE sector and 20-years as a CEO, I have led transformational change in all roles. Whether working with children, young people, families and older people, I focus on connecting with communities to achieve the best outcomes for all. My strengths are vision and strategy, service design, co-production, influencing and transformational change, creating alignment with local and national Health and Care strategic and policy initiatives.
Outside of work, my family and I love living on the Isle of Wight and the real sense of community living on an island brings. People genuinely care about each other. We have two amazing dogs so enjoy long coastal walks and exploring the beauty of the island.
What are you passionate about?
Work-wise, having had lived family experience of children and young people’s mental health, I’m passionate about ensuring that there are amazing services and other community activities to help prevent and address the causes and outcomes of poor mental health. I’m also passionate about ensuring that the VCSE is recognised, supported and celebrated as a vital element of our system. We are often ‘the glue’ that holds everything together and enables those we serve to live well in their community.
Why did you want to be on the HIVCA Leadership Committee?
In such financially challenging times, the VCSE risks being ‘sidelined’, as most available resources are spent on statutory, crisis response.
I feel my skills and experiences of the VCSE, developed over almost 30 years, will make a positive contribution to the work of the committee; utilising community intelligence to influence policy, building VCSE capacity to deliver effectively, and ensure our collective voice is heard to influence the strategic landscape within the ICS.
I am known and respected within the Isle of Wight Health and Care system, so can contribute positively to the creation of dialogue between the ICS, HIVCA leadership committee and local VCSE organisations, ensuring all voices that want to be, are heard, to address health inequality.
I can evidence my commitment to prevention, early help and addressing health inequalities through on-going transformation of our own charity. We have led by example to invest in developing preventative, wellbeing activity.
Finally, I bring my passion for building a better future for all members of our community, but particularly young people experiencing mental health challenges; one where they can be partners in creating their own solutions and fulfill their potential.
Written By: HIVCA
