|
 John Gelder - Director
John works in partnership with the Trustee Board to provide for the strategic development of the organisation and enable members of the Board to meet their responsibilities as charity trustees. He also develops, and provides overall management of, the activities and resources of Voluntary and Community Action and ensure the delivery of its strategic and operational objectives. He takes a leading role within the voluntary and community sector and in a range of local strategic partnerships; liaising with, representing and advocating on issues affecting the sector in Central Bedfordshire.
John has over 30 years' experience of working and volunteering within the voluntary and community sector; supporting, managing and delivering a range of volunteering, capacity building, community development and training initiatives. He first worked for a large national voluntary youth organisation, dealing with liaison and representation, public policy, partnership working and community development. He then worked as National Youth Officer for the Council for Environmental Education before deciding to work with voluntary organisations and community groups through local Councils for Voluntary Service, first in Luton and now at Voluntary and Community Action. John is also a qualified Youth and Community Development Worker with an MA in Community Education, and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
john@action-centralbeds.org.uk
 Rebecca Gooch - Volunteering Adviser
(Volunteer Brokerage)
Rebecca works in the Volunteer Centre and provides the day to day administration including dealing with enquiries and interviewing potential volunteers. Rebecca works with local volunteer-involving organisations to identify, expand and promote the range of volunteering opportunities on offer in the local area.
Previous to taking up the role of Volunteering Adviser Rebecca spent six months volunteering for our Improving Reach Project. During this time she gained a wide knowledge of the organisations operating within southern Bedfordshire, which makes her an invaluable asset to the team.
rebecca@action-centralbeds.org.uk
 Toby Johnston - Volunteering Adviser (Youth Volunteering)
Toby is part of the Volunteer Centre team and his role within this is specifically aimed at engaging and supporting young people to participate in volunteering opportunities. This can involve supporting individuals’ who are either already involved in volunteering or know what area they would like to contribute in, or it can take the form of supporting young people to deliver their own peer led volunteering opportunities. It is also part of Toby’s role to accredit and award individuals who take part in any volunteering.
Toby has been working with young people for the last 13 years both in a voluntary and professional capacity. In his professional role Toby has gained experience in delivering both short term and long term programmes to young people and has managed various youth centres. He has also been fortunate enough to have worked with young people from many areas of Bedfordshire and has experience of working in a wide variety of settings. Toby also has a BA (Hons) in Youth and Community Work (with applied theology).
toby@action-centralbeds.org.uk
 Kim Mead - Information and Resources Co-ordinator
Kim's role encompasses a wide variety including information services, finance, administration, premises and training administration. Kim keeps the financial accounts up to date, and deals with all the administrative duties that the organisation requires. The information role involves maintenance of the contacts and resource library databases ensuring the right information is to hand and keeping the voluntary organisations and community groups up to date with what is happening locally and nationally. She also keeps our information sheets, leaflets and website up to date. On the training side Kim organises and takes the bookings for each workshop, she also sets up the training rooms and produces all associated literature, leaflets and handouts.
Kim has over 30 years voluntary experience in Girlguiding UK and currently runs a local Brownie unit and also has a large role within the County's leadership scheme. In her past within Girlguiding UK she has been a district secretary, treasurer and Commissioner. Kim has recently completed a Diploma in Book-keeping and Accounts, she also holds a Diploma in Child Psychology.
kim@action-centralbeds.org.uk
Rizwana Zaman – Funding and Social Enterprise Adviser
Rizwana’s role is to provide information, support and advice to voluntary organisations and community groups on appropriate funding sources, help with the completion of grant application, tendering and bidding processes. As the Funding Adviser she has to keep abreast of all developments regarding sources of funding. Rizwana develops and maintains relationships with funders, attends appropriate meetings and conferences on local funding sources and sustainable funding activities. She assesses and advises local grant panels on grant applications and also provides advice and training on fundraising events and strategies.
Rizwana completed her MBA in Marketing from the University of Luton before working for a local voluntary organisation in various capacities for over two years. She has experience in fundraising, project and event management and has taught Marketing, International Business and Business Communication in a local college for two years. Rizwana also has three credits at level three on an Open College Network programme entitled Advising Voluntary and Community Groups on Funding Issues.
rizwana@action-centralbeds.org.uk
|
