Huddersfield Mission is a faith based, social action project and community centre based in the heart of Huddersfield.

Supporting and representing the voluntary and community sector in Kirklees

It has been my privilege to be a trustee of Healthwatch Kirklees and Calderdale, and Chair of the Board since September 2014.Healthwatches are local independent organisations that act as the patient champion in health and social care. In Kirklees and Calderdale our approach was to produce high-quality reports based on systematic evidence that highlighted the voice of people. Our aim was to ensure health and care services worked for local people, and that where necessary we aimed to make change happen, but normally working as a constructive and critical friend.During my time at Healthwatch, we have worked on too many different themes for me to list but I am particularly pleased to have been associated with the reports that highlight the needs and voice of people who are often unheard, such as the report on health needs of people with multiple and complex needs, at a local and national level.

Locality is the leading nationwide network of settlements, development trusts, social action centres and community enterprises.We believe that every community is a place of possibility.We help people to set up locally owned and led organisations. We support existing organisations to work effectively through peer-to-peer exchange of knowledge and best practice on community asset ownership, collaboration, commissioning support, social enterprise, community voice and advocacy.Locality also works to influence government and others at national and local level to build support and investment for the movement.Locality was formed in April 2011 by the merger of bassac and the Development Trusts Association, two leading networks of community owned and led organisations.As a development officer I work with members and partners across Yorkshire and wider afield. I provide support around assets, enterprise and social action as well as looking to build the movement.