Responsibility for the day-to-day running of the charity is devolved by trustees to the Senior Leadership Team, who are supported in their work by specialist project staff and a team of dedicated volunteers.
Senior LEADERSHIP Team
Clive Emmett – Chief Executive
Richard Corby – Operations Manager
Richard joined CVSU at the start of 2018. He works as our Operations Manager and has oversight of the Community Response Team. Prior to joining CVSU, Richard worked for 10 years at the Wilderness Foundation UK, as Operations and Finance Manager, but also involved with delivering projects that support vulnerable young people. In his corporate life Richard was an Accounts Manager for 15 years before moving into the non-profit sector.
Outside of work, Richard is a trustee of two local charities, and in his spare time is a writer and blogger.
Jacqui Davies – Business Manager
Jacqui joined CVSU in January 2006, so she is the longest serving member of staff. Joining as an Information Officer on a short term project, her role has changed across the years to fit the needs of the organisation. Her present role as Business Manager primarity encompasses HR responsibilities for both CVSU and WECAN, for a total of 21 staff.
Prior to joining CVSU she worked in the banking and public sectors, before moving to Germany for some years. Upon returning to the UK she set up her own Soft Furnishings business before deciding to move into the charity sector.
Project Staff & Volunteers
Lindsay Gordon – Community Responder North Uttlesford
Hi, my name is Lindsay and I started work for CVSU on the 1st of November 2021. My role is as a Community Responder, covering the North of Uttlesford. I support the community in numerous of ways, alongside Jake Mabey. This role is so varied and everyday is never the same. We have a number of projects that we look after as well as dealing with the impact of COVID-19.
Before joining CVSU I was a PA for a gentleman with learning disabilities and autism. In my spare time I am passionate in entering charity swimming events. My last event was a 10k open water swim along the river Dart, to raise money for children who have special needs, so they can have 1-2-1 swimming lessons.
Jake Mabey – Community Responder South Uttlesford
Jake joined CVSU in late 2020 and has worked on the community response team since then, looking after a number of projects and dealing with emerging needs and COVID containment within the community. Before working for CVSU Jake worked on an events team up and down the country, working on a number of major events after a career change as a youth worker taking young people away on residentials to the Lake District and Wales teaching valuable life skills.
Outside of work he enjoys outdoor activities such as walking and Paddling, as well as spending time with his wife and little boy and tries to make everyday an adventure and a chance to step outside of his comfort zone!
Matt Hume – Sheds Development Officer – Essex Shed Network
Matt has been with the Essex Shed Network since Feb 2019 as the project’s Development Officer and will often be the member of staff you will engage with first. As the Development Officer, Matt supports projects from their initial meeting right through to the opening of a fully functioning shed, with the role being incredibly varied and involved. Having worked previously in School SEN Departments and Community Engagement roles, Matt is very driven to help people within the community.
Christine Chester – United in Kind Coach Uttlesford (WECAN)
Christine has lived in Uttlesford for over 40 years, moving from Hull when she was a child. She worked in London for a time but missed the lovely countryside and the community of Uttlesford. She has worked in a large variety of roles as a Youth & Community worker for 30 years most recently as a Community Builder for Council for Voluntary Services(CVSU).
She has lots of experience around learning disabilities, unpaid caring and more recently, the older population of Uttlesford. Makaton signing to songs is one of her hobbies. She lists one of her main skill as ‘problem-solving’. Her aim in life is to empower people to live their best life possible by providing support, information and knowledge on all things to do with Wellbeing and living well.
Ali Firth – Digital Inclusion Lead (WECAN)
I am the Digital Lead for a new Digital Inclusion Project for WECAN, named Digital Share. I am passionate about supporting vulnerable adults in West Essex who have suffered through COVID and have been found themselves excluded digitally and need help, guidance and support. I have worked for the voluntary sector for the past 16 years and very much look forward to supporting the West Essex Community and helping individuals to become digitally included and enhance their health & wellbeing.
Sophie Davies – TEC Mates Coordinator (WECAN)
Sophie joined the team in November 2021 as Project Co-Ordinator for the TEC Mates project, which aims to support the use and uptake of digital technology by engaging with volunteers who themselves provide support to those who need it. The role is varied, ranging from networking with corporate organisations, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations and charities and support groups to raising awareness of the project through social media and marketing campaigns.
Since Covid, Sophie has also been supporting her local vaccination programme, both behind the scenes and on the vaccination days themselves.
James Pennington – TEC Mates Digital Advisor (WECAN)
Hello, my name is James and I am the Technical Advisor for the TEC Mates project. Having completed my A-levels, I am taking a break from education before I go on to university. As part of my role with TEC Mates, I will be hosting virtual presentations on various technology related topics and offering one-to-one support for TEC Learners that want to know more. For the past 2 years, I have been helping the local community with their technology as part of weekly drop in sessions. I was able to see first-hand the benefits that technology can bring to peoples’ lives, from being able to keep in touch with others using email or FaceTime to browsing the web to find information. These skills have become an essential part of our lives and, with more things moving online, it is becoming even more vital to increase digital confidence. That’s why I’m excited to share my passion for technology with others and unlock the range of possibilities it can bring.
Louise Gambardella – Living Smart Homes Coordinator (WECAN)
Louise joined WECAN as the Project Coordinator for the Living Smart Homes Project in August 2021. Before taking this post, she worked at The Essex Association of Local Councils for 4 years as their Grants Administrator and before that within the NHS and Investment Banking Sector.
Office Administrator
Kate Malden is the CVSU Administration Assistant, based in Great Dunmow. Kate looks after general office admin and social media, ensuring that CVSU has fresh, relevant contributions to its marketing and social media channels. She writes articles and profiles, monitors partnering and other organisations for progress and opportunities, and supports CVSU executives and project staff.
Before joining CVSU, Kate completed two Princes Trust programmes and was the first ASDAN graduate training with Enterprise East CIC in Saffron Walden. She also holds Level 3 PA, Secretarial, Data Protection and Customer Service diplomas.
Social Prescribers (Hosted by CVSU)
Kim Clark – North Uttlesford PCN
I work for the North Uttlesford PCN and cover four surgeries, Newport, Thaxted, Gold Street and the Crocus Medical Practice.
I work alongside clinical, social care, mental health colleagues and the Voluntary Sector. Spending time in the surgery and becoming part of the wider network team, including outreach when required to help manage patient demand by supporting them with non-medical needs such as Debt, Poor Housing, Physical Inactivity, Loneliness, Isolation, Grief, Caring Responsibilities, Unemployment and other Wellbeing issues, this is not an exhaustive list.
Beverly Pope – North Uttlesford PCN
Justine Gibbs – South Uttlesford PCN
Justine has a background in nursing, tutoring, employability, disabilities and psychotherapy. CVSU has been her platform since December 2019 covering South Uttlesford NHS GP surgeries offering a person centered, holistic and contemporary approach to social issues and complex situations for many patients. Justine works empathetically with families, single patients, children, collaborating with GP’s, nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, health and well being coaches, police, UDC as well as collaborating with schools, government bodies and charities referring to many different external agencies via Frontline. “No day is ever the same”. When Justine is not working full time she is with her young family, promoting British Sign Language use, venturing the country, walking her dogs and creating art.
Aaron Willis – South Uttlesford PCN
My name is Aaron and I am a Social Prescriber covering three GP surgeries in South Uttlesford. I help support service users with a range of issues which can affect their mental health & wellbeing, working to give them more control over their lives and allowing them to engage in the community through a variety of groups and services.
In my spare time I like going to the gym and keeping active, watching movies and listening to music.
VOLUNTEERS
- Chris Noakes – Office Admin
- Patrick Whittick – TEC Mates / Digital Buddies
- Sophie Wigan – Dunmow Dementia Cafe
- Ann Backhouse – Dunmow Dementia Cafe
- Val Wheatcroft – Dunmow Dementia Cafe
- Pat Overy – Dunmow Dementia Cafe
- Sarah Eley – Dunmow Dementia Cafe
Plus the many hundreds of individuals who support the Uttlesford Community Response Hub by delivering shopping and prescriptions across the district.
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