Our year 2015

our year 2015Devon Community Foundation

inside giving more locally

summary of last audited accounts 2014-15

But the need is still great, over the year we received 453 funding requests for a total of £2,452,432, just over five times what we had available to give. Our funding tackles disadvantage and deprivation, from families in need to people struggling to keep a home. Thanks to the hundreds of voluntary and community groups we support, over 53,000 people have been helped this year.

This is why we have bold ambitions for the Foundation going forward, we are proud of what we have achieved so far but it’s not enough. Our current strategic goal is to distribute a minimum of £1,000,000 every year. That means we must continue to demonstrate the value of supporting local communities to attract more donors and partners, helping us to build our permanent and immediate funds.

Devon is our home and we all want it to be the best it can be – full of inclusive, resilient, vibrant and caring communities. Thank you to my fellow Trustees, staff, our amazing volunteers and most especially the generous donors that make the Foundation’s work possible: together we create the magic we see every day.

Steve Hindley CBE DL Chairman

In 2015 giving through Devon Community Foundation continued to grow, with individuals, families, businesses and charitable trusts all choosing to give through the Foundation to help support local people and communities.

“Our funding tackles disadvantage and deprivation, from families in need to people struggling to keep a home. Thanks to the hundreds of voluntary and community groups we support, over 53,000 people have been helped this year.”

Devon Community Foundation | annual review 2015

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1 giving more locally

2 the difference we make

3 philanthropic services

4 our programmes

5 for example...

6 assist families in need

8 encourage safety and resilience

10 bring people together

12 promote access to arts, culture and nature

14 enable disabled people

16 provide access to services in rural areas

18 help people to find and keep a home

20 develop life skills

22 offer training and work opportunities

24 keep people safe and well

26 m on a mission

28 our people

Summary of Accounts

Total Grant Making £504,528

Total Income £2,953,803

Endowment at 31st March 2015* £6,743,442

Grants Awarded 2014-15 236

Income Grants Programmes £345,206

Income Other £2,608,597

Cost of generating voluntary income £117,073

Administration of grant making and governance £104,673

If you would like to request a full set of accounts, please call us on 01884 235887 or email [email protected] or visit www.devoncf.com

*Consolidated accounts including other assets

We exist to encourage ‘Giving More Locally’, and the following pages tell just some stories of those who choose to give back to their communities through us.

For instance, we can help Trusts that have decided to wind up their charitable affairs because they are no longer able to pursue their charitable objectives, their income is not sufficient to continue grant making, or their Trustees are considering retirement. In fact, the Charity Commission has published revised guidance on setting up and registering a charity. It hopes that this will encourage people to think carefully about alternatives, such as setting up a named donor fund with a Community Foundation. It is vital that we make any existing or dormant charitable funds work as hard as possible in these austere times.

Over the last year we have also supported a number of new fund holders to help them develop a plan for their giving. Through a series of project visits, discussions, and research we have supported these donors to make informed decisions about their giving, secure in the knowledge they are meeting local needs.

£ endowment

the difference we make

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The outside section shows the amount given to each theme and the inside section shows the number of beneficiaries.

philanthropic servicesDevon Community Foundation is a catalyst for local giving, contributing time, leadership and financial support to local initiatives. Contact the team today to discuss your charitable giving on 01884 235887.

In 2015 thanks to generous donations we were able to fund 183 local projects by investing £369,842 in grants, helping to support 53,460 people in need.


Want to give locally? anyone can be a donor to the Foundation, on any scale, and make a real difference to local lives.

Philanthropic advicewe work with donors to develop and realise their philanthropic goals, matching their interests to community needs.

Create a personal fund donors can choose to establish a new permanent fund or distribute all funds immediately: many choose both!

Permanent gifts donations are pooled with the Foundation’s other assets, invested through careful stewardship, and income is used to make gifts to the community.

Distributiongrants are distributed to a wide spectrum of projects across Devon to tackle local disadvantage and nurture our thriving communities.

Learningevery gift distributed generates valuable learning about what works best and has the most impact. We share this widely with our donors and partners and use it to inform our collective strategy.

Why give through Devon Community Foundation? Community Knowledge unparallelled knowledge of local groups and needs.

Expertise it’s hard to know where to start on your giving journey, the Foundation has learned a lot by distributing over £10m since we began: we’ll help guide you with our years of experience.

Trust the Foundation is at the heart of our county, expected by donors, groups and partners to use limited funds to maximum effect. You can trust us to apply the highest standards of governance to everything we do.

our programmes

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for example...Devon Community Foundation | annual review 2015

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Individual and Family Donor FundsActivistock

Arnold Family

Chiggy Pig

Devon Ripple

Earth to Earth

Greg Matthews (legacy)

Hely-Hutchinson

Kate Gurney

Laurie Conner (legacy)

Mildmay-White

Mumme Ackford

Ray Miles

Steve Hindley Family

Wace Family

Collective Donor Funds Blackdown Hills Countryside

Blundell’s School (pupil’s fund)

Crimebeat

DCF Community Grants

Rural Devon

Surviving Winter

Trust and Foundation Donor FundsDevonian (trust transfer)

Millfields Trust Plymouth Drake Foundation

North Devon Flood Relief (trust transfer)

Plymouth Drake Foundation

Royal British Legion Plymouth Drake Foundation

Throwleigh (trust transfer)

Tiverton Educational Foundation (trust transfer)

Trinity House Plymouth Drake Foundation

Immediate Impact FundsClare Milne

Comic Relief

Crimebeat

Devon Flood

High Sheriff of Devon

HSBC

Thorne Farm Wind Turbine

Will and his family decided to set up the Chiggy Pig Fund to support community groups in and around Torridge, tackling disadvantage and deprivation while making a positive difference to the lives of local people.

there is little for young people to do and funding a home visiting service in Torridge, giving social contact for lonely, isolated older people helping them to manage appointments, finances and ensure they are eating and keeping warm during winter months.

They were keen to start making an impact at once, so decided to create an Immediate Impact Fund, meaning they began giving locally just a few months after their initial donation.

So far they have supported projects such as the start up of a new Brownie group in an isolated rural area where

Being introduced to DCF by a friend got us thinking about how we give money to charity, how much we give, where it goes, how much satisfaction we get out of it.

Having thought about our family finances and how much we give to charity, we realised we could and should probably give more and DCF could be a way to be more organised about it.

After research and meeting Scott, we got a really good feel as to how flexible and targeted we could be with donations. But at the same time we didn’t really have a particular strategy.

Our strategy evolved and with the DCF theme of ‘Bringing people together’ we targeted the district of Torridge, as it’s where we live and where my wife is from - it’s a very rural and poor region with many challenges but with wonderful causes. We started the fund and were able to Gift Aid our donations.

It’s great to be able to see and visit the places, knowing that we’ve made a small difference. It’s also helped us get even closer as a family because it’s given us a common purpose and we talk about something different to the usual family stuff.

We all get incredible satisfaction and a warm glow feeling when we make that decision together as to which particular causes we are going to give money to. That feeling stays with us as we can see directly and clearly how it has helped. So much more than walking down a street and putting money in a bucket, walking away and forgetting about it soon after.

“I give more locally because it’s a much more rewarding way to give. You can visit the places you’ve helped and talk to the people you’re supporting. You can see, touch and get involved in those projects you’ve been asked to fund. It’s a much more fulfilling experience than putting money in a tin and walking away.”

The Chiggy Pig Year So far Chiggy Pig has invested £12,184 into nine projects across Torridge supporting 2,041 people in need.

Corporate Donor FundsArbuthnot Latham

Aviva - Friends Life

Diptford Community Fund

Eagle One

Foot Anstey

Kitsons Solicitors

Philip Milton & Co Plc

Royal Mail Plymouth Drake Foundation

South West Water Plymouth Drake Foundation

University of Plymouth Plymouth Drake Foundation

Police Property

Stags

Two Four Group

Wales & West

Western Morning News

assist families in needComic Relief

Devon Community Foundation has been working in partnership with Comic Relief for over 10 years, distributing both small and large grants across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. During this time Comic Relief has channelled over £700,000 through the Foundation to empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities.

“UK Community Foundations use their local expertise and networks to help us ensure our smaller grants make the maximum impact in communities all over the UK.”

Balloons in Exeter assists families in need

Sadly, children and young people do not always receive the support they need. This can have a profoundly negative impact on children and unresolved grief can lead to a wide range of problems later in life, such as poorer health and educational outcomes, being more likely to engage in anti-social behaviour and crime, higher teenage pregnancy rates, social isolation, anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide.

Balloons is the only group in the local area that offers bereavement support to children and young people after the death of someone significant in their lives, helping them to understand their feelings and come to terms with their loss.

There is nothing which impacts upon a child’s or young person’s life quite like the death of a loved one. Left alone to cope with traumatic loss can leave families struggling at the very time that they are at their most vulnerable.

“I missed my Mummy and I was afraid because she was gone. My Balloons lady let me talk about Mummy when no one else could.”


encourage safety and resilience

Crimebeat

“It is important to us to work with a charity that aims to build safer and stronger communities. With our fund we aim to assist projects that support people at the risk of criminal or anti-social behaviour. Thanks to Devon Community Foundation we are able to achieve this and ensure this money is put back into the community where it belongs.”

On Track Education Services in South Hams encourages safety and resilience

A lack of education, opportunities and low self-esteem all have an impact and young people who have offended tend to have very little hope for their future. This lack of education is significant, with 47% of prisoners saying they have no qualifications in comparison to 15% of the working age general population.

On Track Education Services works with ex-offenders and young teenagers who have been excluded, or are on the verge of exclusion, from school. The project offers the opportunity to establish a social enterprise business in bee keeping, helping to develop invaluable new skills and knowledge while building confidence and earning an income from selling the honey they produce. This encourages a sense of pride in their achievements while creating hope for the future and a positive path away from offending, helping to reduce the likelihood of crime and anti-social behaviour in the community.

After a crime has been committed young adults can get caught in a pattern of re-offending, and once trapped in the cycle it is hard to get out.

“I was given a chance to make a difference with my life. I now want to go to college and have plans to start my own business. I want to stay out of trouble and know I don’t need to make those stupid choices I was making before.”


bring people togetherOur Community Grants

Eligible applications to Devon Community Foundation are all viewed by volunteer community grant panels which help to decide where funds should be directed, to maximise the benefit to local communities. These panels help ensure decisions regarding grant funding are knowledgeable, collaborative, transparent and guided by local need.

Seaton & District Memory Café in East Devon brings people together

In rural areas these issues tend to be more acute. Friends, family and service providers are more distant, transport links are often poor and many community hubs have closed. Nine in ten carers for people with dementia experience feelings of stress or anxiety several times a week – and a further 80% find it difficult to talk about the emotional impact of caring.

The Memory Café in Seaton helps people suffering from dementia and their carers with practical information and support, reducing their seclusion and fear. The project also offers a relaxed and friendly environment to meet others in a similar situation.

Dementia can impact all aspects of a person’s life and often those affected tend to withdraw from social contact. For those diagnosed with dementia and their families, there can be a lack of support leaving them feeling isolated and alone.

“A truly wonderful place to be part of, we’re welcomed with smiles and laughter, everyone takes part and we’re given two hours of pure joy. Meeting other people is so important.”


promote access to arts, culture and nature

Greg Matthews

The Greg Matthews Fund is a memorial fund dedicated to Greg who tragically died in a car crash in March 2012, at just 20 years old. Dance was Greg’s real passion and he used to teach classes for the local children in his spare time. His family set up the fund in order to create a memorial to Greg that would continue to make a difference and enable children living in hardship to attend dance classes.

“Greg was always so loving to his friends and family, he always made people happy.”

Unlimited Dance Company in North Devon promotes access to arts, culture and nature

Research shows that the employability of students who study art subjects is higher, and they are more likely to stay in an working environment.

Unlimited Dance Company enables children from deprived or disadvantage backgrounds in North Devon to attend dance classes encouraging them to build their skills and confidence, while raising their aspirations for the future.

In Memory

We can help you set up a memorial fund in commemoration of a loved one, providing family and friends with a personal focus for special memories.

Having access to arts such as dance, theatre and music is an essential part of a child’s education and a lack of opportunities to enjoy these can adversely affect people later in life.

“This gave us that opportunity to give Summer the experience of dance, which has always been her dream. It has brought her lots of confidence and social skills, without the Fund she wouldn’t be dancing today.”


enable disabled peopleKitsons LLP

“Our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a key aspect of our operation, from the way we conduct our business to the ways in which we contribute to the Devon community. We try to make participation in CSR fun, informative and rewarding for staff. We have been closely involved with Devon Community Foundation for a number of years and know that it plays a vital role in supporting local causes. Having a fund that assists community groups supporting local people in need fits perfectly with what we hope to achieve with our giving.”

Jasmyn House Technology Team in Torbay enables disabled people

Nearly half of blind or partially sighted people report feeling cut off from people and things around them and over one third of older people with sight loss live with depression. Many visually impaired people find that a lack of access to, and experience of using IT equipment means they struggle to feel part of the community and have limited contact with friends and families.

Jasmyn House Technology Team is run by trained volunteers to enable blind and visually impaired people to gain knowledge on computers, iPhones and iPads, all with speech software helping to increase the skills and confidence of partially sighted people living in Torbay. The use of this assistive technology encourages people to feel more independent and opens up new ways of communicating to reduce isolation and loneliness.

Sight loss can happen to anyone at any time: people of all ages and across all communities. There is a strong link between the loss of sight and reduced well-being.

“Because of my sight loss I never thought I would be able to use a iPhone, but I am now able to skype, text and call my friends and family. I live alone and this has helped me feel so much closer to my grandsons and become more independent.”


provide access to services in rural areas

Arnold Family

“We like to give locally because we can see first-hand what a difference our grants make to our local communities. In a world where there is so much need, we feel that by working with Devon Community Foundation we can connect with our philanthropic giving. We get the chance to see where our money goes, and witness what a huge difference it can make to someone’s life.”

Moretonhampstead Association for Youth in Teignbridge provides access to services in rural areas

Youth work can make a big difference to the lives and future employability of young people. In terms of accessing information and support, young people in and around Moretonhampstead suffer from isolation with the nearest towns both 12 miles away and no public transport in the evening or on Sundays. Secondary school children have a daily 26 mile round trip to and from school, making attendance at after-school clubs even more challenging.

Moretonhampstead Association for Youth runs a club on the edge of Dartmoor, giving the local young people a safe and welcoming place to socialise as well as learn new skills outside of the academic or home environment. They offer young people the chance to feel less isolated as they build friendships and confidence, helping to give them a sense of belonging and access opportunities they otherwise might not have been able to.

Young people living in rural areas face a number of barriers including access to transport, careers advice, employment opportunities, training support, and youth services.

“I love youth club. The activities are really surprising and we can talk about anything.”


help people to find and keep a home

Devon Ripple

“We enjoy giving locally through Devon Community Foundation as we know that they work with effective projects, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to reach their potential and raise their aspirations. It is very rewarding to meet the inspirational people running these projects, and hear directly from those benefitting about the difference our support has made to their lives.”

Community Housing Aid in Exeter helps people to find and keep a home

Youth homelessness can lead to social exclusion, poor physical health, unemployment, emotional distress and mental illness. Without safe accommodation, vulnerable young people either ‘sofa-surf’ with friends, remain in an unsafe home environment, or are forced to sleep rough. This increases their risk of harm, lessens their opportunities and means that they face uncertain and unstable lives.

Community Housing Aid aims to help reduce poverty and homelessness for young adults in Exeter. Trying to break the all too often inescapable cycle of hardship, unemployment and homelessness. They offer all round support relating to accommodation, debt and benefit advice, giving local young people facing homelessness the opportunity for a better future.

Each year, hundreds of young people in Devon find themselves at risk of homelessness. Often as a result of family breakdown, the loss of employment or tenancy failure, 8% of under 25’s have been without a home at some point in the last five years.

“I would have killed myself. I was on the streets for over three months and I didn’t speak to my family except my brother but he works 12 hours a day.”


develop life skillsMumme Ackford

“We wanted to set up a fund with Devon Community Foundation as they have the skills and infrastructure to enable us to support a variety of projects across Devon, which need funding to support young people to fulfil their potential and bring about positive social change. The sustainable long-term nature of the fund ensures that this support will continue into the future as a legacy, which does good and feels good.”

Unite - Carers In Mid Devon develops life skills

It is a sad fact that young carers are twice as likely to not be in education, employment or training, and for those who do manage to stay in education, meeting the costs when their parents are unable to help out can make it a constant struggle to stay afloat financially. Many young carers are unable to do the usual things most children do, such as spending time with friends, enjoying hobbies, or going on holidays.

Unite Carers provides educational environmental activities that young carers would not normally have the opportunity to experience. A residential weekend helps to build self- esteem and enables them to learn new skills and gain knowledge. Time away with other young carers encourages them to share their worries with those facing similar issues and offers opportunities to consider future career and education options, helping to raise their confidence and aspirations.

There are around 3,500 young carers in Devon providing regular on-going care and emotional support to a sick or disabled relative. Most have spent four years caring before they receive any support and give over 50 hours a week.

“I care for my mum who has mental illness and depression, my sister who has autism and other illnesses that I can’t remember. The best thing for me about young carers is having a bit of a break and time out to meet new people.”


offer training and work opportunities

Royal British Legion Plymouth Drake Foundation

“The Royal British Legion was founded in 1921 to give support, advice and guidance to the Armed Forces community and enable them to access the support they need. Although we are a national charity with strong local roots we acknowledge that working with Devon Community Foundation strengthens our effectiveness within the community. With their deep local knowledge and expertise they are perfectly positioned to assist us in achieving our goals, thus enabling us to make a real difference to the lives of anyone who is, or has served, in the Armed Forces together with their families who find themselves in need.”

Volunteer Plymouth offers training and work opportunities

58% of service personnel believe that most employers don’t understand them and won’t give them a chance, and 48% of Early Service Leavers are still unemployed six months after leaving. Volunteering can give people confidence when applying for work positions, and many employers look favourably on applicants who have gained skills from volunteering.

Volunteer Plymouth offers a range of local volunteering opportunities enabling ex-service personnel and their families to explore what employment suits them and increase the likelihood of them being short-listed when applying for work. Volunteering with local community organisations and charities provides individuals with the chance to use their wealth of knowledge and expertise, or gain new skills. Volunteering also benefits the whole community, promoting integration and a greater understanding between service and civilian communities.

The transition from army life to civilian life can be full of challenges and many feel anxiety about what the futures holds. Finding a job is an essential first step but can be a stressful and isolating experience.

“If it wasn’t for Volunteer Plymouth giving me the support I needed I wouldn’t be where I am today. Volunteering has given me a part of my life back which I never thought I’d get.”


keep people safe and well

Kate Gurney

“I value the opportunity to be able to give locally through Devon Community Foundation. I have been involved in the charity for over 12 years, and know that my gift will go to essential local organisations who help the vulnerable within our society. Each time I give, I hear about the difference our support has made to the lives of those involved. It’s like planting an acorn from which I know a sturdy oak tree will then grow.”

North Devon Forum for Autistic Spectrum Conditions and ADHD in Torridge keeps people safe and well

Daily life for people who have Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) can be confusing and frightening. They often find understanding and communicating with others particularly difficult, which can leave them feeling isolated and misunderstood.

North Devon Forum for ASC and ADHD provide dedicated social evenings for adults with these conditions and their families. Sometimes people forget that Autism doesn’t just effect children, and often any support that a young person receives disappears when they leave the school environment, they also have fewer opportunities to socialise. The social activities offered by the Forum reduce isolation, increase social inclusion and build confidence for adults with these conditions as well as helping them to gain independence.

Autism is often a hidden disability which seriously affects around 700,000 people in the UK and touches the lives of 2.8 million people every day.

“Events like this are a vital and rare opportunity for our daughter to meet others and learn how to socialise in a safe, autistic friendly but age appropriate way. It was brilliant and gave her the chance to live more like people her age without disabilities or autism, who take a night out for granted.”


m on a mission

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Bike Bank

A recurrent theme for many vulnerable adults, whether they are in recovery from substance misuse, or trying to re-establish their lives after a period of homelessness, is the negative impact of boredom and isolation.

In 2015, Bike Bank in Exeter was awarded £4,612 from the Ray Miles Fund to offer opportunities to unemployed people suffering from mental ill health, helping to increase their skills and build their confidence by providing structured activities to learn practical skills.

Bikes are donated to the project and restored by those involved, helping them to develop and improve their employability through communication skills, team working and being in a working environment.

A tribute to Ray Miles 1944-2015

Ray believed passionately in the work of Devon Community Foundation and became a Trustee in 2002, later becoming Chairman from 2006 until 2008 when he retired from the Board. Ray continued to be very much involved with the Foundation. He built his Fund to support both new and existing Social Enterprises in Devon and felt it was important to develop the life skills of vulnerable young people living difficult lives.

It was with much sadness we heard of the death of Ray Miles on Friday 6 November aged 71. His memory lives on…

“Without funders such as the Devon Community Foundation we would never be able to get our ideas off the ground and into reality.” Matt Bell CEO

this year’s help ranging from reviewing applications through to data analysis, from event planning to tweeting!

At the heart of DCF is the idea that everybody has something to give to help make a difference to local lives, and that is as true of the Foundation itself as it is of the communities we serve.

So as you can see, my role is made immeasurably pleasurable by being surrounded by these friends, past and present. I have the great privilege of working with donors, groups, my team and Trustees, businesses, individuals and colleagues from other voluntary sector organisations.

What is very clear to me is that collective action works: for individuals, for local groups and organisations and for communities generally. It’s a win, win, win but it shouldn’t surprise us. In the famous words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

I cannot begin to thank everyone enough for the success that they have built for DCF, illustrated in this review.

Martha Wilkinson Chief Executive

Today’s success rides on the shoulders of those who have come before us. They established the core principles of the Foundation and saw a bright future for local action and local giving.

“It is rare to find a team so dedicated to what they do and so willing to go the extra mile to make sure that the funds we have are used to best effect, always willing to take time to help groups apply and support donors in their philanthropic journeys.”

These friends of the Foundation have made a significant contribution to the well-being of thousands of lives across Devon, often behind the scenes and invisible, giving of their time and commitment. Sadly, two of these passed away this year, our highly valued former Trustee, James Bullock and our former Chairman and fund holder, Ray Miles.

We also said a reluctant farewell to Sir Eric Dancer KCVO CBE JP FRSA as our President although welcoming him back with open arms as a Patron of the Foundation. He has given many years of stalwart support to Devon Community Foundation and one of his final gifts was the introduction to David Fursdon, HM Lord Lieutenant of Devon who, to our delight, has stepped into Eric’s shoes as our President.

Our current Board of Trustees, led by Steve Hindley, are an essential part of the Foundations’ present and future and I could not be more grateful for their leadership and guidance. Trustees often get a pretty raw deal, wrestling with the strategic direction and robust governance necessary to keep the show on the road, but without much of the immediate gratification that we in the office feel seeing the day to day impact of our work.

And on the subject of the staff team, they are a joy. It is rare to find a team so dedicated to what they do and so willing to go the extra mile to make sure that the funds we have are used to best effect, always willing to take time to help groups apply and support donors in their philanthropic journeys, whatever that takes. We also have truly exceptional volunteers,

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our peopleDevon Community Foundation | annual review 2015

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DEVON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

PresidentHM Lord Lieutenant of Devon Mr David Fursdon

PatronsSir Ian Amory DL

Lady Aran DL MBE Sir Eric Dancer KCVO CBE JP FRSA

ChairmanSteve Hindley CBE DL

Vice ChairmanNigel Arnold

TrusteesChristine Allison Bishop Robert AtwellRobin Barlow DL

James Cross John Glasby Caroline Harlow Caroline Marks

StaffChief Executive: Martha Wilkinson

Deputy Chief Executive: Sarah Yelland

Development Director: Scott Walker

Finance Manager: Theresa White

Marketing Manager: Laura Hewitt

Programme Manager: Lyn Sheppard

Grants Administrator: Claire Lavery

Administrator: Gillian Francis

Laura Hewitt Marketing Manager

Sarah Yelland Deputy Chief Executive

Scott Walker Development Director

Theresa White Finance Manager

Steve Hindley CBE DLChairman

Claire Lavery Grants Administrator

Gillian Francis Administrator

Martha Wilkinson Chief Executive

Nigel ArnoldVice Chairman

Christine Allison Trustee

James Cross Trustee

Caroline Marks Trustee

Bishop Robert Atwell Trustee

John Glasby Trustee

Robin Barlow Trustee

Caroline Harlow Trustee

And, of course, the volunteers across the county, too numerous to mention but just as important!

Steve is the Executive Chairman of the Midas Group, which is a privately owned group of companies operating in the Construction and Property Services Sectors. He is a Chartered Civil Engineer by profession and a Fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Building. Steve is Chairman of the CBI Construction Council and of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

Martha has 30 years’ experience in the private, public and social economy. Passionate about the value of strong communities, she has previously been a retailer, business advisor, communications specialist and founding Director of a social enterprise in East London. Martha was self-employed for nearly ten years helping communities of all kinds identify the change they wanted from their public services.

Lyn Sheppard Programme Manager

Lyn worked for many years in Welfare Reform delivering government contracts for ‘return to work’ training, then moved to the voluntary and community sector to head a project supporting people with sensory loss. Prior to this she worked for a local radio station and in the dark and distant past lived in the Bahamas working for the British High Commission in Nassau. She joined DCF as Programme Manager in 2014.

With brief a brief spell working in the Housing Department of the South Hams Council and for the Herald Express Newspaper in Torquay James finally decided that the law was for him. After completion of his Solicitors Final Exams James trained as a solicitor in Torbay before moving to Exeter in 1992 and then in 2002 to Kitsons LLP where he is Managing Partner.

The former acting Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Nigel now lives in East Devon. He has extensive experience of the voluntary and public sector and is a former Trustee of Connexions Cornwall and Devon and The Gurney Fund. He is currently a member of the North and East Devon Advisory Committee and Vice Chair of Devon Communities Together.

Sarah has worked in the community and social care sector for 25 years. Having studied for a degree and master’s degree in Disability in the 90’s, she has worked in supported housing and community support in area and regional management posts across the South West. At DCF, Sarah’s talents lie in measuring and reporting on quality and impact.

Laura graduated from Bath Spa University with a degree in English Literature in 2007 and began her career in HR but was left feeling unfulfilled. For a year she worked as a painter and decorator and was accepted on a course to become a teacher. There was one slight problem, she had started working as a temp at DCF and fallen in love with her job and DCF.

Trained as an economist and accountant, John has worked in public services for almost 40 years. He was Treasurer and then Director of Resources for Devon County Council and has also served as Treasurer to the Devon Probation Service, The Devon Magistrates Service, Devon Community Council, Dartmoor National Park and Devon Fire and Rescue Service.

Christine has a long career in international development. Having relocated to the South West she is applying that experience to challenges closer to home. With work in both the financial and social sectors, Christine has a particular passion to bring the two closer together and to find business solutions that serve the interests of poor and disadvantaged people.

Building trusted relationships with clients has been the common theme that has run through Scott’s career. With 12 years in financial services, 4 years in dot.com start-ups and then 10 years as a Director of an Advertising Agency he has gained a varied and extensive experience of business and people. Away from the office Scott tries to keep fit with running and cycling.

Claire joined DCF in September 2014 after returning to Devon when her husband finished 23 years in the Armed Forces. She has 15 plus years of administration experience and now loves being submersed in the world of grants. When Claire is not working she enjoys being with her family, cooking and walking in the countryside.

Caroline trained as a Speech and Language Therapist, she worked with brain injured clients and their families. Since 2010 she has been involved in TEDxExeter, St. Petrock’s centre for the homeless, Schumacher College at Dartington and most recently The Shannon Trust, an organisation with a vision to make every prisoner a reader.

The Rt Revd Robert Atwell was installed as the 71st Bishop of Exeter on 5 July 2014. Bishop Robert Spent his early years in Ilford, Essex, then read theology at St John’s College Durham. After ordination training in Cambridge and at the Venerable English College, Rome, he served as a curate in North London before returning to Cambridge as Chaplain to Trinity College.

Theresa has over twenty five years of experience in accounting, she has worked in practise, industry and charity sectors. Theresa is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. When not at work, she loves being with her family.

Gillian has been with DCF since October 2011. She comes from a varied office based background including a private school and estate agency. She also works in local vineyard, Yearlstone, where she enjoys organising the owners, events and wine tasting. When not working Gillian likes to spend time with her daughters, reading, cooking and crafts, and is hoping to ignite a new interest in gardening.

After studying Geography at Exeter University, Caroline worked in Market Research, New Product Development and as a Training Manager. Over the last 20 years, she has been involved in numerous grassroots projects in varying roles, and as a Trustee of grant making trusts with a focus on youth projects in Devon and nationally.

Robin is a self-employed Fine Art Consultant with over 35 years in the business, being variously a director and Chairman of Bearnes Fine Art Auctioneers. He served as Chairman of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers (SOFAA) and sat on the Fine Art Faculty Board of the RICS. He is deputy Lieutenant of Devon and served as High Sheriff of Devon 2012 - 2013.

our year 2015

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send an email to [email protected] a letter to Devon Community Foundation, The Factory, Leat Street, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 5LL

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A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, Company No: 03236918Charity no: 1057923

Our year 2015

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