Six organisations in the County (Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service (formerly Herefordshire Voluntary Action), Community First, Community Voluntary Action–Ledbury and District, Kairos Partnership, Herefordshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services and Age Concern –Herefordshire & Worcestershire), who were already actively providing community support services across the whole County, recognised this need and are now running the three year REACH project.
Meet the team on the ground
Vicky (HVOSS) joined Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service in January 2010 as the Information Officer and Volunteer Support Worker for the REACH project. Vicky then moved on to the role of Community Development Coordinator for the REACH Project in February 2012. If you would like more details about REACH please contact her on 07827 775700 or on vhamilton@herefordshireva.org.
Angela Dunning (HVOSS) joined Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service in May 2012 as the Information Officer and Volunteer Support Worker for the REACH project. She provides general support for the project as a whole and a volunteer outreach service in the Golden Valley on a Thursday, in Bromyard on a Tuesday and in Kington on a Wednesday. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more details please contact her on 07827 775926 or on adunning@herefordshireva.org
Elizabeth (CVA Ledbury) joined Ledbury CVA in January 2009, and is the Community Development Worker for Ledbury and the parishes to the west of the town. Her background is in heritage and teaching of teenagers and adults, and she has worked on many community projects and with volunteers for museums, archaeology and for the National Trust. Elizabeth has set up several voluntary groups from scratch as a committee member and applied for funding for them, and is also a part-time Community Heritage Officer with Herefordshire Heritage Services. Born and brought up in Herefordshire, she lives in the village of Tarrington.
Abbie (CVA Ledbury & Bromyard, HVOSS Golden Valley North) joined the team in May 2011. She has worked in and with the voluntary sector throughout her career, working closely with existing and new communities in both urban and rural settings. Also trained in guidance and confidence building, Abbie enjoys working with people to help them identify and improve their skills and achieve their goals. Abbie lives with her husband in the Golden Valley, and is a part-time Arabic Dance tutor and performer. Contact Abbie at Golden Valley: amason@herefordshireva.org or Bromyard/Ledbury: abbie@voluntaryactionledbury.org.uk
Helen (HVOSS) joined the REACH Project as a Community Development Worker for Kington and area in January 2012. Her previous background has been within the NHS in Herefordshire. Helen has lived in the Kington area all her life and understands both the pleasures and difficulties in living in such a rural area. Helen is based at MAP in Kington and can be contacted at hyeomans@herefordshireva.org or 07827 775701.
Joy (Kairos) – Joy James is the Kairos project officer and the South Golden Valley community development officer. Joy has successfully run community projects, including a community coffee shop which she and a colleague set up. She has also run her own childcare business. Joy has lived in Herefordshire all her life and is a Baptist Pastor. She works for Kairos for 2 days a week covering rural Herefordshire (not the City of Hereford) and one day a week in the South Golden Valley.