Rodney Bates Email and Phone Number

With over 20 years of experience in the charity and local government sectors, I am a passionate and skilled professional in community development, governance, and employment issues. I currently manage Farnham Assist, a Christian charity in Surrey that addresses loneliness and isolation among older people through providing social activities, events and befriending. We currently support around 190 clients and manage around 70 local volunteers.I am also an independent remuneration panel member at Guildford and Waverley Borough Council, where I provide advice and recommendations on the allowances and expenses of councillors and co-opted members. In addition, I serve as a trustee for Frimley Fuel Allotments, a charity that grants financial support to individuals and groups in hardship or distress in Camberley. I have a particular interest in welfare and poverty issues and campaigning against inequality in all forms, which led me to be elected as a borough councillor in Surrey Heath for 20 years, and to set up the original Surrey Heath Youth Council. I have a BA (Hons) in Politics from the University of Exeter and various skills in community engagement, political campaigns, and community development.