People
Who is Otley 2030?
The Board is currently made up of five Trustees and other Officers who all work in a voluntary capacity to ensure that the aims and objectives of Otley 2030 are being met. The monthly Board and Committee meetings make decisions and agree actions to progress the aims and objectives of the Charity. Other volunteers help us run our projects and events enabling us to work collaboratively with the community we engage with and our valued partners
We have 2 members of staff currently, one manages the Community Larder, and the other is our project worker.
Staff
Staff
Project Worker
Claire Blindell
This role has been established so that Otley 2030 has a consistent communications and engagement strategy across all platforms. The main responsibilities include managing the O2030 website and social media, as well as writing press releases and blogs. On top of this, the Communications and Engagement Lead must liaise with key stakeholders and members of the community to ensure our communications are hitting home. Claire Blindell, who has worked for a number of years as a freelance copywriter and as a journalist for the BBC, was selected for this role by the Interim Committee in January 2021.
Community Larder Coordinator
Jade Harris
The main responsibilities of this position are to coordinate all of the fantastic volunteer who help run the Community Larder, to ensure the Larder operate effectively and safely, and to develop the project further through partnerships and fundraising.
Jade was appointed in 2024, and the Larder continues to grow and develop alongside our community response and needs.
Trustees
Ruth Woodhead
Having lived in Otley for over 40 years and being brought up in Ilkley by parents who were keen walkers I very much identify with and love the area and its environment.
I trained and worked as a Social Worker in Leeds retiring as Chief Officer Children’s Services. Whilst working in Leeds I was given leave of absence for 3 months to volunteer at an NGO in Ethiopia for families with twins and triplets. From then on, I returned to Ethiopia during leave from work.
On retirement I went to work in Ethiopia at the NGO. I also became involved with the training of Social Workers throughout Ethiopia and worked with the Children and Families Supreme Court team.
Later I went with VSO and worked in Namibia supporting NGOs who collaborated with people with disabilities throughout the country. In both countries I saw the impact of climate change on the local population as well as the exploitation of the countries by the richer Western world.
Since returning to the UK, I have been a Trustee on NGOs working with Asylum Seekers and with Quaker projects. I hope my experiences will be of help to Otley 2030
Siobhan Lendzionowski
Bio to be added soon...
Mick Bradley
In my 10 years living in Otley I have wanted to make a positive difference which led to my involvement in developing the Otley Neighbourhood Plan & then nearly 8 years ago becoming a Green town councillor.
Getting involved as an early member of Otley 2030 was an obvious thing to do as I fully support its aims. To engage with & involve a cross section of our community to act locally in many ways supporting the goal of a fairer & sustainable, low carbon town.
I am standing to continue as a Trustee to be involved in the overview of the many initiatives which innovative and passionate members have initiated: veg box delivery, alternative East of Otley model plan, Otley doughnut, community fridge, etc.
I would like to see Otley 2030 continue to grow its influence and size of active members to achieve real positive change in our town.
Helge Urdal
Bio to be added soon...
Ann Forsaith
Bio to be added soon...