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About Us

Meet the Team

Between us we have experience and knowledge in all areas of group support, community engagement, service delivery training, building management, marketing, social media amongst other things! We liaise with Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, and have strong working links with the NHS and the CCGs.

Importantly, we also have staff who have fantastic working relationships with community workers on all levels in Mansfield and district, as well as residents and neighbourhood groups teams. We know our area and are committed to making the communities of Mansfield safe, strong and successful.

The MCVS Team

Vanessa Whitton

Chief Executive Officer
I came back to work for MCVS as the Performance & Strategic Manager after working for Groundwork. I then went on to become the Operations Manager and promoted to CEO on 1 July 2022.

The purpose of my role is to ensure that as an organisation we are effectively delivering on all of the many projects we are involved in. It is also my role to make sure that these projects align with MCVS’s Strategic Plan, as this is where we can really bring about a positive change to the community we serve.

Lesley Watkins

Project Lead
I have been part of the MCVS team since 2006. I previously worked as a Community Development Worker for Vision West Notts. I am passionate about the benefits of lifelong learning and enjoy working with community groups and individuals.

Stephen Cooper

Project Lead
I am the Project Lead for We are Undefeatable – Mansfield, Safer Streets, One Step at a Time, and the Walk & Talk projects. I also deliver disability equality training and am currently mapping disability services throughout Notts.

Emma Musgrove

Project Lead
I am the Project Manager for Building Better Opportunities, employability project, POV volunteering for the arts project and Y volunteer project. I enjoy the challenges and tasks within my role and strive to be the best I can be in all areas of my role. I have extensive experience in the community and voluntary sector and previously worked in the training and education sector. I live in the Mansfield area and it is rewarding to work for an organisation that gives back to their community.

Joanne Wakefield

Communications & Marketing Manager
I have extensive experience of working with both the local and national media and also working with many partners, businesses, community members and organisations. My personal life mainly revolves around animals and music!

Max Burrows

Comms & Marketing Volunteer
After my employment as a Work Coach ended, I was really keen to get involved and learn more about Marketing and Comms and am volunteering one day per week. In my spare time I enjoy reading and practice meditation.

Kelly Thackray

Finance Assistant
My name is Kelly and I have worked at Mansfield CVS for 6 years. I am now the Finance Assistant after working as the volunteer coordinator. I have also worked on various projects including Walk and Talk and One Step at a Time. I enjoy the variety of my role and working with fab colleagues.

Kelly Wall

Butterfly EOLC Liaison Officer
I have previously worked in supportive roles with young people and families. I am now looking forward to working on the Butterfly project and providing practical and emotional support to patients and families who are at end of life care.

Our Board Members

Veronica Cooper (Chair)

I have a background in education after being both a teacher and headteacher which I retired from 5 years ago. I still work part time as an exam invigilator and volunteer 2 days a week in a charity shop. I moved to Mansfield 4 years ago after living on a narrowboat for 15 years. I enjoy reading, films, travelling and like to get involved in helping. I hate doing nothing!

Craig Whitby

I am a district councillor for Manor ward in Mansfield Woodhouse, where I live with my wife and our four kids. I’ve been a software developer for over 20 years and work in Mansfield. I was elected as a councillor for Mansfield District Council in 2019 and hold the roles of Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Corporate and Finance. I am the council appointed board member to MVCS and have taken an active role, particularly with the Community Champions project and supporting the community during the pandemic. My main aim as a board member is to strengthen links with the council and promote the work of MCVS in and around the community.

Peter Clarke

On leaving school at 15 I joined the Army, training as a surveyor, spent 27 years in a variety of roles. On leaving the Army I settled in Mansfield in 1995. From 1995 until I retired in 2018 I have worked in the community and voluntary sector, as a Community Development Worker and Community Development Manager. For my last two years at work, I had the privilege of being the lead officer at Mansfield CVS.

View our latest activities

Voluntary and Community Sector Forum Launches

Applications for grants from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) are now open.

How can I get involved?

Training Event Form

We will promote your training event via our website training diary, social media, newsletter and database.

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