Introducing our new Project Coordinator
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from the CAG Devon Network. Say hello to the newest addition to our team: Sarah Kersey, our Project Coordinator for East Devon!
Sarah has always been inspired by people giving their time for free, in their communities, to create positive change in our society and for the planet. If you meet her she will tell you her favourite quote is by the famous anthropologist Margaret Mead “Never doubt a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only things that ever has”.
Sarah started volunteering in her early 20s and quickly got hooked and became a volunteer with many hats! She was involved in campaigns and activism for social and trade justice. Became a trustee of an Agenda 21 group where she lived, setting up a Green Consumer Action Group and community allotment. (Agenda 21, being the worldwide movement born from the UN Earth Summit 1992).
Her volunteering sparked a fascination with the groups, organisations and networks which make up the Community and Voluntary Sector. Which led her to developing a career in community development and supporting the sector to grow.
Over 24 years she has supported hundreds of groups of all shapes and sizes, in different parts of the UK, in cities, towns and rural villages. She loves meeting new people and hearing their stories of what has made them want to get involved in a group. Or their bright idea for a community event, big dream for a new organisation in their area. Or what is making them feel so annoyed that they want to take some action.
She has guided people through all the different stages of setting up and running activities, events, projects, services, community groups, charities, community interest companies and co-ops. Helping them to bring their ideas to life.
Through all these experiences she has learnt that people who want to get something off the ground often just need someone to talk to. As many people who want to make a difference start off either by themselves or as a very small group.
She knows they need to bounce their ideas off someone who believes in them, to get reassurance that they’re going in the right direction, to unlock some inspiration, to offer moral support and tell them that what they want to do is really possible and that they can do it. Sarah likes nothing more than to help enthuse and connect people who want to make a difference. Sharing really useful resources and creating networks that bringing people together to share great ideas, motivate and support each other.
But she has also remained firmly rooted in environmentalism and passionate about sustainability. Taking part in nature conservation working groups, fundraising for environmental protection projects, supporting the set-up of community farms, orchards, woodland and green space improvement projects. Supporting and organising repair events, clothes swaps, community food waste cooking and community meals. Recruited volunteers for many different projects, including teams of waste and climate champions. She has kept her knowledge of climate science and community response up to date via the Transition Town Network, Carbon Literacy Project and Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project.
After 24 year she is still inspired, fascinated by how the community creates and brings about positive change. She firmly believes communities can change anything when they put their mind to it. She is looking forward to hearing the thoughts and ideas of people in East Devon and supporting members from across the CAG network.
At CAG Devon, our mission has always been to empower community groups to take action towards a more sustainable and resilient future. We’re delighted that Sarah has joined the Team and will be helping to support groups in East Devon and encourage new people to get involved in some way and strengthen this network of driven individuals, working together towards a shared vision of a greener future.
We’d like to thank East Devon District Council for recognising the importance of investing in support services to benefit the community and the planet.
Every community has unique challenges and opportunities, and we are committed to supporting them as a member of the network. Our expansion is not just about increasing our geographical presence, but it’s about deepening our connections and impact within each community we work with.
If you’re in East Devon and would like Sarahs support, please get in touch: Sarah.Kersey@resourcefutures.co.uk
