Our Team
Yak Patel
Chief OfficerYak is a trained Community Youth worker with 25 years of working and managing within both statutory and voluntary sectors in the Lancaster District. Having lived in the district all his life, he has extensive experience managing projects with communities, children, young people, and he has a wealth of experience in managing community buildings & projects, contracts and funding.
He is the chair of the VCFSE Leadership forum, a chair of the Health & Well-being partnership board and a representative on the Integrated Care Partnership, Director for the Lancashire Association for CVS’, Coordinator of the Community Action Network project and Vice-Chair of the Children and Young People Multi-agency Forum.
Steve Dixon
Communications OfficerSteve conducts the promotion of LDCVS membership and services including graphic design and digital content creation of our marketing collateral across print, web and social media platforms. He also coordinates our regular bulletin and collaborates with the CVS team and members, providing brand communication support across all ongoing projects.
Jim Greenan
Training CoordinatorJim is responsible for matching the training needs of voluntary organisations and local communities with existing courses, or providing new courses where necessary.
Shweta Pankhadiwala
Finance OfficerShweta manages payroll, bookkeeping and independent examination services. She also provides voluntary financial advice to charity organisations & groups.
Sharon Phillips
Connecting Communities Development OfficerSharon’s role at CVS is to provide development support for VCSFE organisations in the Lancaster District, including information and advice on organisational structure and governance, funding, recruitment, and support for developing a business strategy.
Jenny Reddell
Community Health OfficerJenny’s role at CVS is to look after the Digital Directory of services – ensuring it is up to date and accurate as possible. She is also our social prescribing link worker, supporting individuals referred from our general practices to find meaningful activity to help improve their wellbeing. Finally she is available to support organisations with finding relevant training and health related opportunities and funding.
Nick Smith
Operations ManagerNick supports staff and volunteers by running back-office functions for membership, IT, finance, and grant administration. He also manages the office and helps to coordinate new projects.
Mark Waddington
Connecting Communities Development OfficerMark manages the Volunteer Centre, is our lead contact for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) queries and writes our regular bi-weekly column for the Lancaster Guardian.
Catherine Westwell
Youth Foundation OfficerCatherine leads on developing and supporting the Youth Foundation, which is working to improve the lives of children and young people, strengthen the young people’s sector.
Our Trustees
Paul Jebb
ChairPaul is Chair of LDCVS. He qualified as a nurse in 1996 and has worked in numerous posts within nursing, as well as a period in operational management. Paul is now the Associate Chief Nurse, Experience, Engagement & Safeguarding at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Paul has represented the Royal College of Nursing at local, regional, national and international levels, is a member of RCNi Editorial Advisory Board, and also judges several national nursing and health care awards.
Emma Brant
Trustee Anthony Murray
Trustee 