New faces bring new ideas

It’s a time of change at BNDfC with the introduction of a number of new staff who are all looking forward to making their mark on Burngreave!

Vicky Brennan is the new employment centre or one-stop shop manager. She comes from a regeneration project up in Leeds where she has spent the last four years helping to bring the hardest to reach people into the labour market. Says Vicky:

“These are still early days for us as it is a new role but we have a really strong vision that we want to fulfil.The one-stop shop hopes to pull together all the resources that are already in Burngreave to provide more support for people to help get them into employment.This is all set to happen under one roof, rather than people having to access a number of different organisations for support, so it will be much easier for everyone involved.

“I’m really looking forward to this new challenge. Fantastic stuff is happening in the area and we now have the chance to pull it all together. For now, I am based at BNDfC’s Harleston Street offices. My colleague Louise Hill, also a new appointment, is currently working out in the community spreading the word!”

Also taking up a brand new role is Jackie Toyne who is the monitoring and evaluation manager. Jackie comes from the University of Lincoln where she was a Sure Start evaluator.

“My job involves seeing how effective the New Deal projects we fund have been in the area and what differences they are making to local people.

“Getting feedback from local people is absolutely pivotal to the New Deal programme. We have to be accountable to make sure that the money is being spent so local people see the benefit.To do this we will be using a number of methods including focus groups, citizens panels, telephone interviews, perhaps using local people as a ‘mystery shopper’ and having a place on our website for people to respond to.We would love to hear from anyone in the community if they have any ideas of how we can work with them to get their comments and suggestions.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the community here in Burngreave.”

Last but certainly not least, we welcome Cecilia Shields who is the new employment and enterprise theme manager.

“For the past twenty years I have worked for Job Centre Plus of which the last five years I have managed the innovative community-based project called the Sheffield Action Team. I have been one of BNDfC’s Employment & Enterprise theme group members for the last year. I was also on the Sheffield First for Inclusion Board and the Sheffield First Employment Advisory Board.

“I have gained a good insight to the needs of the community and what employment opportunities there are for local people both within Burngreave and in the city. I am passionate about Burngreave and am looking forward to working for BNDfC and the community to help make a difference especially through the development of the One- Stop Shop.”