Community Seeds

Lisa Thorpe: Lead Consultant

Lisa has worked within the Social Economy for more than 10 years, supporting the development of communities, community organisations, social enterprises and charities as well as community marketing and employment support and training. She has considerable knowledge of the legalities, structures and finances of such organisations and considerable experience of developing projects, fundraising for them and managing the resulting projects within the community. Lisa has worked at a Neighbourhood Development level as well as in city-wide/sub-regional policy development.

Qualifications:

Lisa is degree level qualified and has completed the ILM5 Certificate in Supporting Social Enterprise (equivalent to SFEDI accreditation) leading to eligibility for the National Register of Business Advisors as well as holding qualifications in Adult Teaching.

Skills:

Successful partnership negotiator both for informal and formal partnerships
Considerable up to date knowledge in community, charity & company governance including establishing and restructuring organisations
Consultation and evaluation using a variety of models and methods including recognised models such as Planning for Real®, Local Multiplier 3 and ABC as well as use of online consultation tools and social networking
Experienced trainer offering tailored informal as well as accredited training sessions
Successful Fundraiser
Project developer and manager
Understanding of the web/internet as a marketing tool and the ability to establish a web presence for organisations
Business Link listed business advisor
Financial management including budget control, cashflow and payroll

Previous work portfolio:

Before establishing Community SEEDS, Lisa worked in a number of local authority roles as well as for third sector organisations. During this time Lisa carried out similar work, on behalf of a number of organisations, to that now offered by the organisation. Examples of which can be seen by clicking on the images below:

Bestwood Advice Centre Business Plan and Feasibility Study looking into service and premises expansion.

Saffron Community Enterprises Established a community communications social enterprise and an annual summer fete

Tanc Ltd Acted as Project Manager running a community organisations training programme focusing on moving each group forward

Nottingham City Council Business Case for Community Facilities in Bestwood

Saffron Neighbourhood Management Programme (Leicester City Council): Establishing and developing a Participatory Budgeting programme and Volunteer Celebration

NHS Leicester City (PCT): Designing, recruiting for, and running a programme for community residents to access Health Trainer jobs

Saffron Out of School: Continued development and management (including accounts and payroll) of a childcare co-op supporting college/university students and working parents with afterschool care, ensuring the organisation met OfSted requirements.

Leicester City Council: Continuing to develop, finance and support an employment support programme, integrating programmes such as Next Steps IAG in order to provide a ‘return to work’ service appropriate to a deprived community.