6 May 2021

Introducing our Insight & Engagement Officers!

Community First is pleased to introduce two new Insight and Engagement Officers, who will be working as part of our Capacity Building Team.

We are delighted to welcome Mandy Broom and Matthew Crawshaw to the team. Mandy and Matthew will be engaging with Community First members and local voluntary sector organisations to see how they have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year. Their insights will be used to inform Community First’s work in supporting and developing the local voluntary sector.

Mandy and Matthew will shortly be sending out a survey to Community First’s members and local voluntary sector contacts. The survey will focus on the impact of COVID-19 and the support you need from us.

We were able to recruit our Insight and Engagement Officers thanks to grant funding from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF). The COMF fund was distributed by Hampshire County Council and allocated by the Hampshire CVS Network.

Read Mandy and Matthew’s introductions below.

Mandy Broom

Mandy is working as Insight and Engagement Officer for Havant, East Hampshire, and Fareham. She previously worked in Housing and Tenancy management for New Forest District Council, as well as in private sector social housing and community safety. Mandy lives in the New Forest with her husband Graham. She is currently studying part-time towards a BSc in Psychology and Counselling through the Open University.

Get in touch with Mandy at mandy.broom@cfirst.org.uk.

Matthew Crawshaw

Matthew is joining us as Insight and Engagement Officer for Winchester and the New Forest. He holds a Masters of Science in Psychology and is continuing to pursue his interest in research in his new role at Community First. Matthew is a big fan of sports and outdoor activities, having set up a home gym during lockdown. He formerly competed in fencing at a national level and hopes to return to fencing when possible.

You can contact Matthew at matthew.crawshaw@cfirst.org.uk.

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