I am wrapping up today at TSL Kirklees with mixed emotions. We’ve achieved a great deal for communities across Kirklees but there is so much more to do. It’s been a challenging year, but I’ve learnt a huge amount, both about myself, about the reality of place based working, the potential for real change in local areas (aswell as the barriers) and the disconnect between local & national conversations.
I’ve worked with some amazing groups and individuals in the voluntary, community, statutory & further education sectors. We have established strong relationships through genuinely listening & understanding where we are each coming from. I said in a recent speech that we have everything we need here to really start to reverse the inequalities in our communities. I strongly believe this & leave feeling hopeful that we will get better at recognising the strengths of what we all offer in this shared endeavour. I know that the brilliant & vital work of the community sector is grasped by key allies in our statutory systems.
I am excited to be joining https://lnkd.in/eUD-jJ5p for the next year in a part- time role to support collaboration across organisations in the new economy movement. I have alot to learn but am hopeful that my experience even over the last year will be of value.
With the rest of my time? I’m not sure & waiting to see what emerges. I’d like to do more exec coaching (contact me if interested), hope to do some consultancy (strategy development, evaluation, research), fancy some more study, would like to think more about how change happens, and am chatting about a potential podcast with a friend & colleague. I’m really looking forward to a bit more time to run in the hills, read, and write…or at least for the next few weeks!
Thanks again to all those amazing people who have been such a joy to work with over the last year.