Forum Central Team
Forum Central is delivered in partnership by Leeds Older People’s Forum and Volition.
Forum Central team members are employed by the registered charities Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF) or Volition.
Partnership tree
The following image of the organisational and Forum Central partnership team structure can also be downloaded as a pdf.
Meet the teams
Jo VolpeCEO, Leeds Older People’s Forum
Jo joined Leeds Older People’s Forum in July 2022.
Jo brings years of experience working with third sector organisations to reduce inequalities amongst older people and communities.
Jo has worked on initiatives to encourage more community involvement in care homes; to establish social prescribing services; to establish groups to encourage physical activity and healthy eating amongst people in later life.
Jo is originally from West Cumbria and moved to Yorkshire in 1988.
Pip GoffDirector, Volition
Pip became Volition Director in XXXX.
Pip leads the Volition team on many aspects of Forum Central’s work. Pip represents and advocates on behalf of the health and care third sector at a number of senior meetings and boards.
Pip is committed to addressing health inequalities; building and developing relationships and asset-based approaches. She has extensive experience in partnership working, system change, and third sector innovation, with a strong understanding of funding, health outcomes, and social value.
Joanne AustinFinance and Governance Manager
Joanne joined Volition in XXXX.
Joanne takes good care of Volition’s finances by overseeing our annual budget and accounts. Joanne actively supports the team by managing our grants programmes and funding streams.
Joanne brings a wealth of previous third and private sector experience to the role.
Claire NixsonDevelopment Team Manager
Claire joined the team in January 2023. She has worked in the third sector for over 12 years and brings a wealth of strategic and business development experience to the team.
Claire manages the development workers who deliver on the Volition specialisms: Mental Health, Learning Disability, Physical and Sensory Impairment, Communities of Interest and Representation.
Karl WittyThird Sector Health and Care Development Officer
Karl supports the ongoing development of the Local Care Partnerships (LCPs), promoting a strong and effective presence from the third sector in each area.
Karl brings a broad range of skills and experience to the role, gained from working in Higher Education and the third sector.
Megan SwanOperations Manager
Megan joined the team in January 2022. She oversees the administration support team and is the lead for our admin functions including our team meetings, CRM and boards.
With a background in administration and recruitment, Megan puts her organisational and communication skills to great use in this role.
Jenny BullCommunications Manager
Jenny joined the team in January 2021.
She oversees Forum Central communications and influences how we engage with our members and partners.
Jenny is passionate about highlighting the fantastic work of the VCSE sector and is keen to contribute to promoting accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in Leeds. Jenny brings experience from both Voluntary Action Leeds and the private sector to the role.
Gabriella Obeng NyarkoMental Health Development Worker
Gabi’s role strengthens partnerships between our member organisations and statutory services in Leeds within Mental Health.
She gathers insights on the third sector’s strengths, assets, and challenges to ensure they’re reflected in mental health development plans.
Pritesh ParmarCommunications Manager
Pritesh oversees communications for Forum Central while Jenny is on leave. This includes our brand identity, website, email bulletins and social media. Be sure to follow us! (on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).
Pritesh has worked in the education sector, local authorities, arts and voluntary sector. Pritesh is a keen advocate for social enterprise.
Dominique BurleyLearning Disability Development Worker
Dominique is our Learning Disability Development Worker.
Before this she worked for CHANGE, an international and national human rights organisation for people with learning disabilities and The Advonet Group, an independent advocacy organisation, for people in Leeds.
Helen BrandPhysical and Sensory Impairments Development Worker
Helen joined the team in November 2022 and coordinates the Physical and Sensory Impairment network.
Before starting at Forum Central she was a Leeds Wellbeing Coordinator. Her career has involved working with people with both physical impairments and learning difficulties. She is a strong advocate for inclusive wellbeing in Leeds.
Mary HalseyCommunities of Interest Development Worker
Mary joined the team in July 2022.
She has worked in the third sector for over 10 years running networks linked with inequality and poverty, including the Leeds Food Aid Network, West Yorkshire Destitute Asylum Network and the Leeds Homeless Charter.
Mary has developed the citywide Communities of Interest Network, (COIN) that works to highlight and address the health needs and challenges faced by different communities, especially those at most significant risk of experiencing inequalities.
Damian DawtryMen’s Health Unlocked Coordinator
Damian coordinates Men’s Health Unlocked, a city-wide network that aims to connect, support, develop and celebrate the exciting work happening in Leeds to improve men’s health and wellbeing.
Damian has a wide range of experience in men’s health and community development, having worked for over 20 years for statutory and third sector organisations.
Sarah WilsonMental Health Transformation Worker
Sarah aims to ensure the health and care third sector is involved in the strategic planning and development of mental health services.
Sarah brings extensive experience of early intervention work to this role and a passion for the transformative power of the arts on wellbeing, the importance of co-production and the power of community action.
Joanne AustinFinance and Governance Manager
Joanne takes care of the money and governance.
Sheri GordonMembership and Admin Team Lead
Sheri joined the team in October 2023 and oversees our memberships and admin functions.
Sheri has a varied background in both the public and 3rd sectors, bringing with her an interest in social justice and reducing inequalities.
Aila MalikDevelopment Team Admin Coordinator
Aila joined the team in May 2024.
As Development Team Administration Coordinator, Aila supports the Development Team with administration for running the various health and care networks and key development projects within Forum Central.
