Our Trustee Board is made up of representatives from the local community organisations and supporters of VAL. They are normally elected or co-opted at our AGM in November each year and usually serve for three years:

If you would like to know more about ways you could support VAL or about becoming a Trustee please contact Everton Blake or E-mail: everton.blake@valuton.org.uk

Who We are:

• Andy Calvert - Chairman

Representing the Luton & Bedfordshire Youth Association

• Bashir Ul Hafeez - Vice Chairman

Representing the Asian Welfare Association - joined VAL in 2004.

• Pauline Simpson - Treasurer

Representing the Butely Road Pre-School.

• Peter Blanking

• Rashid Chaudry

I was born in India and arrived in the UK in the mid 50’s. I have been working in various industrial fields including Atomic Power Constructions and Nuclear Measurements as head of the department of Quality Control and Inspectorate for several years.

In the last decade I have worked in the community sector working for Luton Health and Training centre in Bury Park as centre manager.  I am the Chairperson for HEAD UK (Health and Education Development UK). I have been on the board of trustees for Voluntary Action Luton for four years. I represent Luton town BGOP (Better Government for Older People).

I have been a member of Luton Assembly and I am on the panel for the Health and Care Forum both based at VAL. I am on the sub committee of VAL building maintenance.

I try to serve my community with my humble capacity wherever I can.

• Rose Davis

Rose is active as a representative from African Caribbean Arena and Aswad Arts and is well known as a promoter of Black History Month and as a Representative for Luton Assembly.

• Mr Geoffrey Dillingham

I was born in Luton in the 17th May 1928, educated at Maidenhall and Beech Hill Schools in Luton. I worked at Adamante Works in Dallow Road as a clerk and at Dunstable College as a Technician.

I have been a member of the committee of the Conservative Club, Hitchin Road for 50 years and I am now the president of the club.I was a member of the Luton Borough Council from 1976 for the Stopsley Ward until 1991. I became the Deputy Mayor in 1986/87 and resigned from the council in 1991.

I have been the chairman of the Luton Society for the Welfare of the Elderly since July 1981, and I have been a member of various voluntary bodies in Luton.

• Ian Feekins

'I'm on the board of trustees as an individual rather than representing an organisation and have been a trustee in that capacity for the last 5 years +. I currently work for the Learning and Skills Council managing the planning and funding of Adult and Community Learning in Bedfordshire and Luton working closely with the local LEAs. I'm also accredited Investors in People Assessor. I'm married with two grown up daughters both in higher education and I have a background in education, planning, public sector and learning and development - experience of which I try to bring to my work as a trustee.'

• Cecil Harrison

Represents Luton Committee for Racial Harmony

• Mobeen Qureshi

I was born in Delhi India in June 1932. I have lived and worked in Luton for the last 40 years. In that time I have been involved with various voluntary, health and welfare groups. I am a retired social worker and former journalist.

I am currently the General Secretary of Khidmat (Services to the Asian Communities), which he founded eight years ago; it is based in one of the most deprived areas of Luton, Bury Park.

I pioneered the very first ‘pre-nursing’ course for Asian family carers, who look after their own disabled relatives in their own homes. The course was run in partnership with Barnfield College.

I also helped Bedfordshire Health in creating and establishing the ‘Ethnic Minority Health Panel’ in the 1980’s to promote health among ethnic minorities.

I also serve in a number of local committees