Forum Central is delivered in partnership by Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF) and Volition.
Members of the Forum Central team are employed by either Leeds Older People’s Forum or Volition.
The following image of the Forum Central team tree can also be dowloaded as a pdf: Forum Central Team Tree October 24 (pdf 336KB)
Jo brings years of experience and has a particular interest in working with third sector organisations to reduce inequalities amongst older people and communities.
Jo has worked on initiatives to encourage more community involvement in care homes; to establish social prescribing services; to establish groups to encourage physical activity and healthy eating amongst people in later life.
Jo is originally from West Cumbria and moved to Yorkshire in 1988.
Pip is committed to addressing health inequalities; building and developing relationships and asset-based approaches. She has extensive experience of partnership working, system change and third sector innovation and a strong understanding of funding, health outcomes and social value.
Claire leads the development team, managing the development workers who deliver on the Volition specialisms: Mental Health, Learning Disability, Physical and Sensory Impairment, Communities of Interest and Representation.
Karl brings a broad range of skills and experience to the role, gained many years working in Higher Education, and more recently working in the third sector.
With a background in administration and recruitment, Megan puts her organisational and communication skills to great use in this role.
Jenny is passionate about highlighting the fantastic work that happens in the VCSE sector, and in turn, helping ensure it is valued. Jenny is keen to contribute to the work happening in Leeds to promote accessibility, diversity, inclusion and address inequalities. She has experience working at Voluntary Action Leeds and continues to work closely with them, and brings experience from the private sector to the role.
Pritesh has worked in the education sector, local authorities, arts and voluntary sector. Pritesh is a keen advocate for social enterprise.
Gabriella brings experience from Public Health where she focused on prevention, data and commissioning. Gabriella is passionate about addressing health inequalities and has interests in politics, music and the environment.
Before this she worked for CHANGE, an international and national human rights organisation for people with learning disabilities and The Advonet Group, an independent advocacy organisation, for people in Leeds.
Her earlier career has involved working with people with both physical impairments and learning difficulties. She is a strong advocate for inclusive wellbeing in Leeds.
Mary has developed the citywide Communities of Interest Network, (COIN) that works to highlight and address the health needs and challenges faced by different communities, especially those at most significant risk of experiencing inequalities.
Damian has a wide range of experience in men’s health and community development, having worked for over 20 years for statutory and third sector organisations.
Sarah brings extensive experience of early intervention work to this role and a passion for the transformative power of the arts on wellbeing, the importance of co-production and the power of community action.
As Development Team Administration Coordinator Aila supports the Development Team with admin for running the various health and care networks and key developing projects within Forum Central.
