Forum Central is a partnership of Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF) and Volition.
Members of the team are employed by either Leeds Older People’s Forum or Volition.
The image of the Forum Central team tree below can also be dowloaded as a pdf: Forum Central Team Tree October 23 (pdf)

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.

As a freelance contractor, for the last ten years, Francesca has worked nationally, regionally and locally on strategic development to create new services and programmes.

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.

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Jenny is passionate about contributing to the work happening in Leeds to promote diversity, inclusion and address inequalities. She previously worked at Voluntary Action Leeds.

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.

His work includes tasks like setting up meetings, writing emails and contacting people from other third sector organisations.
Robert has links to third sector organisations as a service user. He receives support from People Matters at one of their social groups.
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.

The Trauma Informed Programme exists to raise awareness of trauma informed working and to embed trauma informed approaches into services. Sally’s work focuses on ways to reduce the impact of trauma on children and young people. Through prevention measures and improving support for those lived experience of trauma.
Sally has a wide range of experience of working with communities and young people with over 15 years experience in education and the arts.

The Community Champions project, delivered in partnership with Voluntary Action Leeds, aims to reduce health inequalities in the city. Volunteers promote health and wellbeing and are a vital link between communities and services.

Max’s role is split between the Admin Team, where he supports various meetings. And the Communications Team, where Max creates content for the Forum Central website, e-bulletin and Twitter.
Sheri has a varied background in both the public and 3rd sectors, bringing with her an interest in social justice and reducing inequalities.