Working across Lancashire delivering the 9 priorities identified in the VCFSE (Voluntary, community, Faith & Social Enterprise) sector manifesto for Lancashire.1. Equality and Social Justice For All: Tackling Poverty in Lancashire2. VCFSE Sector as an Equal Partner3. Economic Model That Works For Lancashire4. Community Wellbeing and person & community-centred Public Service Models5. Green Communities6. Pioneer a Lancashire Social Prescribing Model7. A Safer Lancashire8. Helping People into Employment9. Adequate VCFSE Resources to play our full part in the futire of Lancashire

Acting as a connector and catalyst - The West Lancashire Food Partnership has emerged from the ongoing work across the West Lancashire geographical area, with members from across sectors in West Lancashire and a strong focus around the wider food sustainability system.A cross sector partnership where farmers and producers are taking an active role in the work happening across the area, we aim to build from the ground up, a healthy food culture and positively improve the food landscape in the local area and beyond.To foster a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable food economy, through sustainable farming, reducing food waste, and transforming catering, we are also committed to addressing the climate and nature emergency.

In April 2021 I started working within arts and culture which gave me the wonderful opportunity to learn about a new sector and really embrace my love of creativity. As Creative Community Activist I worked with residents and the Leftcoast team to deliver themed events and activities, including:o Curating Art Exhibitions in a variety of settings including in a community centre, where we couldn’t hang paintings on the walls so we innovatively used the chairs and tables as art stands to show that the art was an integral part of the local area and that extra-ordinary creativity is often in the most ordinary of places. o A film show viewed through the windows of a house on a social housing estate in Blackpool to showcase the story of the local area coming out of lockdowns and the power of community. In July 2022 I returned to working freelance with food support organisations on food poverty and holiday hunger in the local area including supporting projects addressing:• Children's holiday hunger• Researching the links between healthy eating, good food and mental wellbeing including looking at what more can be done in the city of Preston to bring good, healthy, affordable food from local farmers and producers direct to the local area

My journey in to community work started in 2013 when I attended the meeting of a group of local people who were planning to set up a foodbank to support residents struggling with food poverty. I immediately knew I wanted to be involved, although initially I managed all the administration; I enjoyed spending time with the people coming in to use the foodbank. I was also eager to do more, I organised cookery classes to help with cookery skills, budgeting & nutrition. I also developed and delivered a new scheme, where our foodbank was one of the first in the country to supply vouchers for fresh fruit and veg which could be redeemed at the local fruit & veg shopAfter working in a voluntary capacity with the foodbank, I moved to work with Sefton CVS in High Park in Southport as a Community Organiser, using Asset Based Community Development. I was responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of the project including managing the budget, outcomes, preparing evaluation materials, reports & case studies to evidence the work and positive impact in the local area. Building relationships with residents, as well as with local businesses and organisations from across the local area to support the project, as well as the planning & delivery of all events & activities. I am proud to say the local PCSO commented that she had never seen a project have “such a fantastic impact and level of engagement in the local area.”I later worked on a pilot social prescribing project, working as a Social Prescribing Link Worker supporting individuals from a variety of backgrounds, to explore what matters most to them & empower them to make positive changes to improve their health and wellbeing.