East Lancashire Place Co-ordinator
Lisa Ross, Place Co-ordinator East Lancashire
Contact: lisa.ross@bprcvs.co.uk
Lisa has come to LACVS after working with BPRCVS since 2018 coordinating several projects including, volunteering, employment support, being part of the group support team as well as supporting on data gathering projects like ‘1000 voices’. She has helped in making BPRCVS a nationally accredited VCQA volunteer hub and understands the priorities and nuances in creating best practice around volunteering, group support and the third sector.
Lisa is active in her community running a volunteer led creative arts group, chairing committees and being part of meaningful conversations to improve cohesion. Lisa has volunteered in her community since her early 20s and always felt it was her true love.
Whilst at BPRCVS she has become a trainer with the Royal Society for Public Health and an Associate of RSPH, plus associate with the Chartered Managers Institute. She has a role with NAVCA assessing volunteer centres to achieve the VCQA accreditation.
Coming to BPRCVS off the back of an MA [distinction] and First-Class Honours degree from UClan which focused on engaging communities, and the psychology of emotional space in communities for positive engagement, utilising that learning in her daily practice.
She has had a varied career, starting as a textile designer for Marks and Spencer to running a design room for branded sportwear such as Nike, Reebok and Umbro; she went into senior retail management and then into industry as general manager, before taking a step into the vocation her heart always led her, She started working in rural communities in Ayrshire developing gaps in provision, setting up charities, CICs and small community groups, helping them apply for funding and creating opportunities for them to grow and develop, to serve their community.
Lisa will be working on the LOCAL team part time and continuing to work on the LACVS Volunteering for Health project as the Lead for Lancashire 12. A role which will sit alongside her work for LOCAL and support it. Lisa is very excited to be joining the team and adding to the experience around the table. Her passion for the third sector and experience from place to national level on the VCQA agenda help to bring a new dimension to the work being undertaken.