Team: Trustees

Joe said: "I am the Chair of Trustees at Cornwall VSF. I am also the Group Director of Innovation and Digital for the Priory Group of Companies. I have over 30 years experience working in Health and Social Care as a Health Care Assistant, Nurse, Manager and Leader, working at local, regional and national levels. I worked in the NHS in Cornwall between 2003 and 2013.

"I have also worked voluntarily for a number of charities since 1995, most recently for my local surf lifesaving club. A passionate advocate for the third sector, its role in levelling inequalities, its critical role in supporting local communities and providing access to services, it is a privilege to work alongside the team at Cornwall VSF. As a mental health nurse I am passionate about expanding support for people that widens access to help for people of all ages whatever their challenges might be."

Nick said: "I am privileged to be in a position to learn from all involved in Cornwall VSF and engaged in community based action across Cornwall.  I hope I can find ways of using learning from over 40 years in public services to support the work of the Charity and those it serves and supports."

Mel said: "I am a Social Sustainability Specialist working with Balfour Beatty in the South West. This means I get to devise inspiring legacy projects for the community, business and the environment.

"As a Cornish lass, I have worked in training, business and local government for over 30 years and have a wealth of strategic experience. I am inspired and excited by the work of the voluntary sector and sit as a Trustee on several boards – including the Aspire Multi Academy Trust and the Fowey Festival of Art and Literature. I am also a Cornish Ambassador promoting Cornwall to the rest of the UK and beyond. My passions are people, creativity and the environment & I believe in responsiveness, trust and open communication."

Sam said: "I am a volunteer manager with Macmillan Cancer Support, working across Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. I've been working in the voluntary sector for seven years, starting at Volunteer Cornwall in 2015. Prior to this, I was in education, studying and then working at Falmouth University. I am passionate about local and community volunteering, and at Macmillan I specialise in service development and user involvement.

"I grew up in Cornwall and live with my family just outside Newquay."

Leah said: "My roots are very much in Cornwall having been born and brought up in the beautiful village of Mevagissey.  I have an unwavering passion for improving outcomes for our local population and I am extremely proud to have been appointed as a Trustee for Cornwall VSF.

"I have an extensive 25 years experience working across children services, healthcare services and commissioning sector at a local, regional and national level.  I currently work for a provider of inpatient mental health services and work to ensure that we provide person centred care and support individuals to recover and integrate back in to their local communities.

"I am keen to continue to develop my personal and professional skills, competencies and experience by participating in both internal and external development opportunities alongside the Cornwall VSF members."

Andrew said: "I am a lead on NCVO’s Membership and enterprise activity, having joined in 2008, I am particularly interested in the development of cross sectoral relationships for the benefit of civil society. I lead growing the NCVO membership of over 16,000 members and am keen to develop partnerships with fellow membership bodies to help the voluntary sector thrive."

Nick has:

• built strong partnerships with Mind, ACRE, NUS, FSI and Rotary to name but a few
• developed a number of strategic business partnerships
• built a comprehensive and strong package for NCVO’s members
• been interested in helping voluntary sector organisations get the right level of appropriate support. It’s not always about best practice, often it’s about understanding what people need to make sure they are compliant.