A fond farewell and a warm welcome
After ten years as our Community Buildings Advisor, Kathryn Chapman has retired. We will miss her warmth and dedication to building up our amazing Community Buildings Network. The baton has now passed to two new Development Officers and we thought it would be a good time to introduce them to you as we announce the new round of Community Buildings Network meetings.
What is the Community Buildings Network?
Community buildings, whether they are village halls, sports pavilions or community centres, are very often at the heart of a rural community. They provide a place to meet, plan, and socialise.
The maintenance and smooth running of community buildings can at times be challenging and Community First Yorkshire aims to provide support to the people managing the those buildings. By facilitating community buildings networks in each district of North Yorkshire, we aim to bring the people involved in running rural community buildings together. They are able to share their knowledge and experiences, hear about new resources and policy developments and explore topics of interest. Anyone can join – simply contact our new Development Officers below.
Leah Furniss [pictured right], Development Officer
leah.furniss@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk
What is your role in Community First Yorkshire?
I’m a development officer supporting community groups across North Yorkshire and am most closely involved with volunteering and the Community Building networks.
Why do you do what you do?
I fell into this type of work by accident working for heritage organisations after completing my history degree – then stayed because I enjoy the stories – how the people you work with make a difference and how powerful that can be, it’s very addictive!
How do you think the Voluntary Sector impacts communities?
Volunteering is the community. Coming together, making a different to where you live, whether that is on a very local level or on an international one – and I honestly feel that the majority of this is not ‘formal’ volunteering but unseen and every day. I think the sector’s role going forward should be to make sure that the people who need to be are heard, and are heard in the right places.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Still deciding – it has changed LOTS! Dancer, pilot and teacher where some of them. I did a project on Odette Churchill when I was 10 and for a long time after that I wanted to be a spy.
Tell us a fact about yourself that people would not know?
I really am a spy – my work at Community First Yorkshire and the person you know as Leah, is just an elaborate cover.
Joanne Abbott [pictured left], Development Officer
joanne.abbott@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk
What is your role in Community First Yorkshire?
As a development officer with Community First Yorkshire my role is to offer advice to the many and varied voluntary and community groups across North Yorkshire. That advice can cover any of the many different aspects of running a successful organisation. Including finance and funding, planning and people and compliance and constitution.
Being part of a team of development workers means that we can work together to deliver the best advice possible to the groups that are looking for help.
Why do you do what you do?
I became a development officer with Community First Yorkshire because I strongly believe in the valuable work done by the voluntary and community sector. I am keen to use my experience of working and volunteering in the sector to benefit the groups that are looking for support.
The people I meet running these groups are usually volunteers and are passionate about their cause – they are inspiring people to work with.
How do you think the Voluntary Sector impacts communities?
The voluntary sector at a local level is best placed to understand the needs of the local communities. It is usually run by local people for local people. It is therefore able to deliver services most closely tailored to meet the needs of those communities.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was at primary school I wanted to be a Blue Peter presenter! I would watch the presenters visiting exotic locations, trying out new activities and making amazing things. I hoped that one day I would be able to do what they were doing!
Tell us a fact about yourself that people would not know?
I am a volunteer community pedaller with Cycling Without Age York. Cycling Without Age is an international movement that started in Copenhagen in 2012 and has now spread to 41 countries around the world.
With the help of a special electric-assist bike with a passenger cab for two on the front, we offer rides to older, less mobile people in York who may not get out as often as they’d like.
Cycling Without Age connects generations to each other, the outdoors and the local community, on a bicycle ride.