Forum Central Boards
Forum Central is delivered in partnership by two organisations: Volition and Leeds Older People’s Forum (both Registered Charities).
There are three Boards of Trustees which meet regularly to ensure the smooth running of the organisations and partnership:
Details of who is a Trustee on each of the boards is below.
Forums Partnership Board
The Forums Partnership Board comprises of trustees, including the chairs, from each of the trustee boards of Volition and Leeds Older People’s Forum, which in partnership form Forum Central. The role of Chairperson at the Forum Partnership meeting alternates, with each of the boards taking it in turn.
| Trustee | Organisation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Harington | Leeds Older People’s Forum | Chair |
| Tricia Gradys | Leeds Older People’s Forum | |
| Neil Franklin | Volition | |
| Ruth Kettle | Inspire North | |
| Zoe Bawn | Aspire Community Benefit Society |
Leeds Older People’s Forum
Leeds Older People’s Forum is made up of older people and managers, chief executives and project workers from some of the forum’s member organisations – all of which work with older people.
| Trustee | Organisation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Harington* | Individual | Chair |
| John O’Dwyer | Caring Together in Woodhouse & Little London | Vice Chair |
| Bill Rollinson M.B.E.* | Individual | Acting Treasurer |
| Carole Gosden* | Individual | |
| Bronwen Holden* | Leeds Hospital Alert | |
| Margaret Bell* | Individual | |
| Cath Mahoney* | Individual | |
| Ruth Cornelissen | Care & Repair Leeds | |
| Tricia Gradys* | Individual | |
| Corrina Lawrence | Feel Good Factor Leeds | |
| John Welham* | Individual | |
| Satwant Rait* | Individual | |
| Gabrielle Hamilton | Leeds Museums & Galleries | |
| Rachel Koivunen | People in Action | |
| Susan Chesters* | Relatives and Residents Association | |
| Susan Phillips* | Individual | |
| David Smith* | Individual | |
| Cllr. Fiona Venner | Leeds City Council | |
| Julia Badon | Swarthmore |
*Older Person. A minimum of 75% of the charity trustees must be older people (an older person is defined by Leeds Older People’s Forum as a person aged 60 years of age and over).
Volition
The Volition Board of Trustees is the governing body providing leadership and direction for the organisation. The Board is drawn from Volition member organisations, all of which are third sector and offer services to people with learning disabilities, physical and sensory impairments or mental health problems.
The Volition Board will be recruiting new Trustees shortly. Anyone who wishes to express their interest in joining the board is welcome to email us at hello@forumcentral.org.uk. We will be particularly looking to fill skills and experience gaps on the Board.
The Volition Board will be recruiting new Trustees shortly. Anyone who wishes to express their interest in joining the board is welcome to email us at hello@forumcentral.org.uk. We will be particularly looking to fill skills and experience gaps on the Board.
Mark LawChair
Ruth Kettle
Ruth joined as a Trustee in 2015, passionate about the third sector’s vital impact in mental health in Leeds.
She champions the sector’s unique contribution and works to ensure it’s a true partner in shaping services and solving challenges.
Ruth also balances leading a large charity with raising two children, and enjoys exercise and Leeds’ open spaces.
Adrian Curtis
Adrian joined the Volition Board in 2020, bringing almost 20 years of trustee experience.
Working for Groundwork, he champions the environment’s critical role in health and wellbeing. He aims to use this insight to help Volition influence health partners, particularly regarding fuel and food poverty and access to green spaces.
Outside of work, Adrian enjoys gardening, family travel, and cycling.
James Hill
James, Director of Pyramid, has over 30 years’ experience empowering people with learning disabilities through the arts.
He deeply values Volition’s partnership approach, seeing it as key to overcoming barriers. As a Trustee, James prioritises cross-sector collaboration to tackle inequality of opportunity for people with learning disabilities in Leeds’ health and care system.
In his spare time, he enjoys music and walking, and loves The Cardigan Arms for its welcoming atmosphere.
Pam Bhupal
Pam works with the West Yorkshire ICS and Calderdale Council, ensuring the Local Authority voice is heard in health partnerships.
With 13 years’ experience, she tackles health inequalities, leading Calderdale’s BAME Covid-19 action plan. Pam will elevate the VCSE sector’s voice in Leeds, especially for underrepresented BAME communities, aiming for better outcomes. She’s also a health lead for Sikh Alliance Yorkshire and a trustee for Northern Broadsides.
A proud Leeds native, Pam enjoys the city’s outdoors and social scene.
Zoe Bawn
Zoe is Chief Executive of Aspire Community Benefit Society, providing care for adults with learning disabilities in Leeds.
With over 15 years in the not-for-profit sector, she brings extensive experience in supporting individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. A former trustee for Dark Horse Theatre and Tenfold, Zoe is now on the Forum Central Partnership Board.
Outside work, she’s a mum of two and enjoys weightlifting.
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Rob Wilson
Rob founded and coordinates Angels of Freedom, an LGBT+ community safety and support organisation in Leeds.
He brings extensive community development experience, including work with Leeds City Council LGBT+ Hub, Yorkshire MESMAC, and establishing local LGBT+ sports groups.
In his role at Leeds City Council, Rob focuses on staff voice, EDI projects, and internal communications. He’s keen to bring this learning and his connections to the board, supporting a truly intersectional approach to health and wellbeing in Leeds.
Steve Hoey
Steve is CEO at Turning Lives Around (TLA), which houses and supports over 1200 homeless people annually across Leeds and Wakefield.
He also chairs the Homelessness Prevention Forum in Leeds. Previously, Steve was Director at the UN award-winning Canopy Housing, leading community-led housing.
With a career in housing and leadership since 1993, his roles span from volunteer to CEO. Outside work, he enjoys family time, climbing, running, and learning.