Partner Profile: Helen Hawney, Leeds Ahead
A great big welcome to Helen who has recently joined the Leeds Ahead team! Helen will be working from the East Leeds Basecamp on a regular basis and will eventually work from the Catalyst Centre. Here's her profile...
Name: Helen Hawney
Job Title: Area Broker, Leeds Ahead.
Describe your role:
Leeds Ahead is a social business that enables the private sector to support the social and economic regeneration of Leeds. We provide a simple mechanism through which businesses can meet their corporate responsibility objectives in the community by volunteering time, expertise and providing other resources to a wide range of community regeneration activities. These activities centre around five core themes, 'Education, Employability, Enterprise, Environment 'and 'Community'. My role is to bring together the private sector's offers of support with the communities who most need it. Leeds Ahead will be working in partnership with the Catalyst team to deliver events, activities and workshops around enterprise for members, as well as brokering business mentor relationships between local business people who can offer inspiration, support and guidance to catalyst members.
Which areas of Leeds do you work in?
East North East Leeds, including Chapeltown, Harehills, Gipton, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill and Seacroft.
What is your background and how did you get to where you are today?
I've always been driven to do something that really benefits society and I've been lucky to work for several not-for-profit organisations including WWF (the conservation organisation, not the wrestling federation!) and the National Media Museum. I have a fundraising and business development background, having helped businesses invest their cash, expertise and time into film festivals, exhibitions and educational activities. I've now got the chance to work with a wide range of community partners and organisations as well as private business, and the challenge for me is to find winning relationships that benefit both parties.
What was your best moment?
Completing the Great North Run earlier this year in aid of the Stroke Association.
And your worst?
About the 10 mile mark (see above!)
What do you feel are the biggest challenges faced by the people you work with?
Lack of confidence, funding and business expertise to make great ideas flourish.
Private businesses are keen to offer their expertise but don't know how to access the right activity for them...that's where Leeds Ahead can help.
And finally, if you could give 3 top tips to would-be entrepreneurs reading this feature, what would they be?
1. Believe in your product.
2. Build up a network of contacts and use them.
3. Learn from those who have been in your circumstances via business mentors, work experience, workshops
etc.
For more information about the work of Leeds Ahead, visit their website .
