Our people
Anna Hope
Civic Scholar
Based at the University of the West of England, Anna’s PhD research explores and reinterprets the concepts of ‘community’ and ‘benefit’ within the context of community-led housing.
Alice Lemkes
Civic Scholar
Alice studies multiple disadvantage and is interested in critical, participatory, transformative research approaches, as an ESRC-funded PhD scholar at Leeds University.
Steve Donkin
Community Advisory Board
After 25 years working in the utilities business, Steve went on to develop and deliver learning programmes in the public and private sectors, and is now a self-employed VCS Consultant in Sunderland, providing critical support at board and operational levels in the BME Community.
Ryan McKay
Community Advisory Board
A youth worker and intergenerational practitioner with a background in community education, Ryan is based at the Citadel Youth Centre in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Ranjit Dhillon
Community Advisory Board
Chief Executive of a local community-based organisation, Ranjit has lived in the London borough of Richmond for 34 years and is a trustee of a local infrastructure support organisation.
Louise McLaughlin-Borlace
Community Advisory Board
Louise is keen to represent peoples’ views from Co. Fermanagh and exchange skills and best practice, identifying projects that may help develop the community sector within Northern Ireland.
Kevin Dixon
Community Advisory Board
The Chair of Healthwatch Torbay and the Torbay Patient Participation Group Network, Kevin has a particular interest in health, social care and community responses to poverty.
Islam Jalaita
Community Advisory Board
Islam brings 15 years’ experience, knowledge, understanding and strategic thinking, working with diverse communities to empower people to lead and nurture resilient communities.
Esmee Wilcox
Community Advisory Board
Esmee works in strategic innovation within social purpose organisations. She has her own company – Socially Adept – and previously spent 11 years leading complex change initiatives within the public sector, working with charities and social enterprises. She’s also worked across central government, including on the 2005 cross-government disability strategy.
Baldev Singh Bains
Community Advisory Board
Supporting places of Sikh worship develop better governance structures and approaches to serving others, Baldev seeks to bring social change to convey the message that we all are global citizens living together on planet earth.
Andrea Kemp
Community Advisory Board
Andrea is keen to connect with people and help influence policymakers and commissioners to invest in and understand what really matters to people for the long term.
Alison Macklin
Community Advisory Board
Alison uses her skills and knowledge to represent the rural communities she’s connected to, sharing their insights and concerns with those holding influence to make significant change.
