New Community Development Worker at St Paul's

Hello, my name is Claire Evans. I recently joined the team at St Paul's as a Community Development Worker. From the moment I stepped through the door for the interview I was made to feel so welcome that when I was offered the role I didn't hesitate to accept it. I'm excited as well as this is a new role for St Paul's with the intention of supporting life in and around St Paul's and its parish through community connections.

My journey into community development started in 2019 when I became the ABCD Community Builder for Horsforth, working for a charity called Hft which supports people with learning disabilities. ABCD stands for Asset Based Community Development and is all about people-led change in communities, rather than a top down approach. Asset-based principles look at the strengths of a community, utilising people's skills and interests to start new community groups and projects. Some of the projects I have supported over the years include Horsforth Community Garden, Sunflowers for Ukraine, Autism Friendly Board Games and the Bee Friends Social Group.

During the pandemic a number of local community leaders came together to form a new partnership organisation called Horsforth Community Assets Project (HCAP) which I managed, alongside the ABCD Community Builder role, under the employment of St Margaret's Church - so I am no stranger to working with the local church community. This work started with a community response to accessing food and essentials during the pandemic but has led to establishing a Community Pantry as well as delivering Welcome Spaces, Household Support Fund and a Listening Project.

On a personal note, I am married with two children, who both attend local schools. We have lived in Horsforth for almost 20 years. We love our community and I am very much looking forward to broadening my knowledge of our neighbouring parish and meeting new people.

As you might imagine, community connections are my bread and butter and it usually starts with a cup of tea and a chat! I would like to extend an invitation to have a 'Cuppa with Claire' so that I can start to get to know you all and find out what is important to you about your community.

You can email me at: claire.evans@stpaulsirelandwood.org