Beeston-based West Yorkshire homelessness charity Turning Lives Around is looking ahead to a bright future after an AGM which included the election of a new Chair plus five new trustees and the publication of its first Impact Report.
HEART at Headingley was packed for the AGM which saw Martin Ford step down as both Chairman and trustee and the election of Liz O’Connor in his stead. Five new trustees – Director of Housing & Estates for St Anne’s Community Services Shaun Finegan, Founder of Inclusive Minds UK Ria Jackson, digital marketing specialist Ben Wadsworth, NHS Manager Satti Saggu and experienced social housing professional Kim Long – were also voted on to the Board.
Turning Lives Around (TLA) CEO Steve Hoey thanked Martin Ford for his nine years of dedicated and inspiring service and welcomed incoming Chair Liz O’Connor who has worked in social housing and regeneration at all levels from engagement officer to director level, for some 30 years.
“Liz is a valuable addition to our Board of Trustees bringing with her a strong understanding of the social housing sector plus a wealth of experience. We are also delighted to welcome our five new trustees with their diverse set of skills, knowledge and experience,” said Steve.
The AGM also saw the publication of TLA’s first impact report which gives an insight into the scale of homelessness in the UK and West Yorkshire and what TLA is doing to innovatively combat urgent issues and influence nationally.
Steve said: “Last year TLA supported some 1090 vulnerable people who were either homeless or at risk of homelessness and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We are experiencing a homelessness crisis that has seen a 41% increase in rough sleeping in Leeds and 374 families living in temporary accommodation. Our clients – people with complex and multiple disadvantages – generally fare the worse and we have a never-ending waiting list for our services.
“We hope our Impact Report will inspire and engage new supporters and donors and start conversations. At TLA we can and do make a difference to the lives of those in need and by working together with new partners and additional funding, we can do more.”
This post is based on a press release issued by Turning Lives Around
Photo: Steve Hoey, CEO of Turning Lives Around, (left) with incoming Chair Liz O’Connor and outgoing Chairman Martin Ford (right)
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