Discover the Team behind Hartlepool Community Trust
Every community and voluntary sector group in the town can benefit from free advice & assistance to set up, level up and connect to the vibrant and supportive network that is the Hartlepool Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector. The team works on many projects around Hartlepool, click the link below to discover more about what we do!
Julian Penton
VCS Co-lead Officer
I’ve worked in and for the voluntary & community sector for much of my working life – beginning back in Leicester in the mid-1980’s – including as a self-employed facilitator, various roles within local government, as a Programme Manager for a regeneration partnership and now in the role of Development Officer with the charity Hartlepool Community Trust.
A second strand to working life has been as a counsellor/therapist and teacher.
With my fellow Community Trust Development Officer, Juli Simons, our roles are to champion & support Hartlepool’s voluntary & community sector. This includes convening networking forums (e.g. the twice monthly Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector Connector meetings), sharing information & opportunities, assisting the formation & development of new charities and social enterprises (e.g. Play Out Hartlepool), facilitating training for the VCSE (e.g. Funding Bid Writing and Governance) and encouraging collaboration.
Juli Simons
VCS Co-lead Officer
When asked about my history with the voluntary sector in Hartlepool I start with saying I've been there, wore the T-shirt.
My progression has been as project beneficiary, volunteer, trainee, project worker and co-ordinator for some great town based organisations before moving into starting my own community business. I live in the town and still volunteer as a primary school governor and charity trustee.
Our role is helping to establish and support Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise groups, small businesses and social enterprises with development support, funding advice and governance.
We have worked hard to connect organisations in Hartlepool to each other and to the public sectors to help improve relationships - explore more partnership working and understanding of each other and how we fit together with the complex picture of communities in our town.
James Irvin
Project Support Officer
I have experience in the voluntary sector as a volunteer for 4 years, working to develop confidence in people with additional needs through online media.
My role involves identifying gaps around projects the rest of the team are involved in and assisting in whatever way possible. I also help promote Hartlepower Community Trust and other charitable organisations through social media alongside my colleague Ciara.
Rachel Wanley
Victoria Ward Engagement Officer
I hope to work closely with people, services and community organisations attached to the Victoria Ward area to help strengthen community bonds.
I would like to meet with families in particular, to explore how they live their lives in the area, with a view to connecting them with others and to encourage new activities if something is wanted/needed.
My email is:RachelWanley@hartlepoolcommunitytrust.org.uk
You can call me on:07984 330 784
Dawn Robinson
Victoria Ward Engagement Officer
I hope to work closely with people, services and community organisations attached to the Victoria Ward area to help strengthen community bonds.
I would like to meet with older residents in particular, to explore how they live their lives in the area, with a view to connecting them with others and to encourage new activities if something is wanted/needed.
My email is: DawnRobinson@hartlepoolcommunitytrust.org.uk
You can call me on: 07984 330 783
Adam Guy
Hartlepool Food Partnership - Coordinator
My background has almost always been linked to the food sector in some shape or form. I was born and bred on a dairy, beef and sheep farm before having several years in academic food-production research. I then ran my own food-production business for seven years (dressings and balsamic vinegars) and I have three young kids and so I understand the challenges parents have in getting them to eat what you want them to.
My role with the Partnership initially focussed largely on Food Mapping and Procurement work found HERE; this aims to help improve connections between local food producers and buyers, increase access to healthy and local food, benefit the local economy and reduce food miles.
More recently my role has gradually broadened to further areas as the Co-ordinator for the Food Partnership.
I would love to hear from anyone interested in our work. My email is:
Our Board of Trustees
Our board features a range of individuals from Hartlepool and the surrounding area who's backgrounds and experience spread across industry, academia, finance, infrastructure and the voluntary sector.
