Meet The Team

Jane Birch

Smart Communities Manager

Strategy. Creativity. Lead. Enable.

Personality: Passionate

ILM (Institute of Leadership & Marketing)Level 5 Certificate in Social Enterprise Support
23 years of experience supporting community organisations, small businesses and social enterprises
Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management

Marie Fraser

Project Officer

Research. Marketing. Reporting. Administration.

Personality: Enquiring

Smart Communities lead in market research, delivering key research reports which have helped clients secure further funding for their projects
Experienced with communities, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and private companies
26 years previous experience in the university sector developing marketing strategy, new products and markets for postgraduate blended learning courses
She is also undertakes market research as an external consultant

Kate Burrough

Community Involvement Officer

Creative. Support. Innovative. Community.

Personality: Honest

Katherine Armstrong

Community Involvement Officer

Support. Involvement. Advice. Knowledge.

Personality: Resolute

25 years of supporting community groups and organisations and social enterprises
6 years managing and developing a charity – governance, finance, developing new and existing projects, strategic planning and influencing.
Experience of administration and decision making on numerous grants.
Experience of working with a wide range of local, regional and national partners.

Gail McCarthy

Business Development Officer

Strategic planning. Leadership. Facilitator. Consultation.

Personality: Energetic

Over 27 years working within Social & Healthcare settings in both the Statutory and Voluntary sectors
Master’s in Education & Development
Postgraduate in Leadership and Management
D32 and D33 external Assessor’s Qualification
A National Qualified Community & Youth Worker
Worked for the Department of Education & Health as an expert member of the panel for the National Child Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) service review
Worked with community drugs and alcohol services, homeless and employment / education / mentoring services
Worked as an independent advisor for the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) and has been self employed as a community consultant in the past.
Gail brings a wealth of experience in facilitation, training provision and is a strong advocate for people within minority groups ensuring their voice and views can be fully heard and considered

Kirsten Rushby

Community Advisor

Resilience. Strategic. Facilitator.

Personality: Genuine

Over 30 years of experience working with individuals and communities offering tailored solutions and infrastructure support.
Degree in Social Policy at Manchester University.
15 years of knowledge of Somerset’s local services, project development, funding, strategic planning, and facilitation..

Jinny Uppington

Project management, Bid writing, Monitorin.

Personality: Enthusiastic

12 years’ experience working in community sector
Extensive project management experience, ensuring work is delivered to a high standard, on time and exceeding expected outcomes
Significant experience of supporting equality communities and groups to flourish and thrive
Degree in Applied Human Communications
Level 5 ILM Management and Leadership

Expert CCS Colleagues

Nicola Greenslade

Communications Officer

Creative. Communicator. Resourceful. Innovative.

Personality: Driven

14 years delivering marketing & digital marketing materials – rebrands, project launches, project delivery from logo design to report summaries.
BA Hon’s in film/media and creative content delivery
Experienced in clear communication to both corporate and community-based clients

Michał Pużyński

BAME Community Engagement Officer

Community. Diversity. Engagement.

Personality: Determined

Master's degree (qualified to work in social assistance, social services agencies and institutions of social prevention).
Ten years of work experience for charitable organizations
Co-coordinator and founder of projects related to ethnic minority groups and immigrants

Sally Sargent

Community Buildings Advisor

Support. Advice. Networking. Communications.

Personality: Inquiring

15 years' experience working in research and community development in UK and overseas
MA in Geography
Chartered Institute of Marketing Post Graduate Diploma

Robert Horn