Michele Armstrong- Chief Executive Officer

 Michele started with this organisation, then called the Wear Valley Volunteer Development Agency, in Aug 1998 as the manager. Michele evolved to Chief Officer when 2D was launched in May 2001.

Michele has both business and voluntary sector background, working 10 years for Marks and Spencers in London and then NACRO in Darlington when she moved up to the North East.

Her commitment to the Voluntary and Community Sector is clearly shown in her dedication to ensuring the sector is at the forefront of partnership working and that Teesdale and Wear Valley is represented on a local, regional and national level.

Michele has set a high standard for 2D and heads a dedicated team of experts. "For me 2D is a team effort; personal development is important and the dedication of the team is something I don't have to question!"

Contact: m.armstrong@2d.org.uk

It is Phils role to fulfil the day to day functions of the CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) particularly in the areas of support, information and advice to members and voluntary and community groups.

Phil has been a member of  staff at 2D for 6 years originally working as a volunteer co-ordinator before taking on the role of supporting voluntary and community organisations on the ground 4 years ago. 

He has a business background having previously worked for British Steel for 25 years after leaving Aberystwyth University.  His experience and qualifications in the field of quality assurance first brought him to the attention of  2D and he began life here as a volunteer, helping the organization through quality accreditation.

In order to provide groups and agencies with the best possible service, Phil has attained a number of qualifications in advice and guidance, management and funding advice amongst others. He also built up a wide range of contacts in the sector, an extensive library, information leaflets and electronic data to provide the most up to date help and advice.         

Contact: p.davies@2d.org.uk

Ann joined the organisation in 2000 when it was the Wear Valley Volunteer Development Agency.

Ann provides administrative services both in house and externally. She ensures the day to day running of the office and makes sure we pay the bills on time!

An increasingly important part of Anns role has been to manage the conference / training facility, in this day and age of declining funds 2D has had to look to generate some of its own income whilst providing a useful service to community and voluntary groups. Anns professionalism has ensured that groups and organisations continue to re-book the facility time and time again.

Contact: a.cairns@2d.org.uk

Lindsay Wright joined the team in August 2002 as Wear Valley Volunteer Coordinator. The role involved promoting the benefits of volunteering, recruiting volunteers and agencies using volunteers, and matching individuals to appropriate volunteering opportunities and organising events to celebrate and reward the numerous achievements of volunteers.

In June 2005, following changes and developments such as signing the new Volunteering England licence agreement and ‘Change-up’ activities, Lindsay undertook the role of ‘Volunteer Centre Development Officer’. This new position provided a number of challenges such as ensuring the Volunteer Centre gained the new quality accreditation, working with colleagues from the other Volunteer Centre’s in County Durham on volunteer development as part of ‘Change-up’, and being responsible for the coordination and development of the Volunteer Centre services across both Teesdale and Wear Valley.

Contact: l.wright@2d.org.uk

Rachel Brayfield- Development Support Worker

Rachel meets with individuals who want to volunteer and matching them with appropriate opportunities.

Another aspect of the role is to register organisations that require the help of volunteers. Rachel will also provide continuous support and guidance to new and existing volunteers and organisations.

One of Rachel’s aims in this role will be to develop ‘information points’ throughout the Wear Valley and Teesdale areas to promote volunteering benefits and opportunities.

Contact Rachel: r.brayfield@2d.org.uk

Katja Francis- Development Support Worker

 In October 2004 Katja began working for 2D as a registered volunteer working on the Quality Standars for 2D. She had completed a degree in Business Administration and wanted to gain some experience in an office environment.

4 years on Katja meets with individuals who want to volunteer and matching them with appropriate opportunities.

Another aspect of the role is to register organisations that require the help of volunteers. Katja will also provide continuous support and guidance to new and existing volunteers and organisations.

Contact: k.francis@2d.org.uk   

Kirsty Hill- Marketing Development Officer

Kirsty joined the 2D team in September 2004 with the aim to promote, develop, enhance and maintain the profile, customer understanding, and corporate identity of 2D.

Day-to-day tasks involve produce all documents, including a quarterly company magazine, leaflets, annual reports and all publicity materials in both print and web format. Ongoing tasks include co-ordinating 2D’s marketing strategy and using ‘Issues Marketing’ to push the 2D brand into the local media.

Kirsty also promotes the community's important role in local decision making on behalf of the Community Network.

Contact: k.hill@2d.org.uk

Alison Hirst- Wear Valley Community Network Co-ordinator

Alison joined 2D in January 2007. The role interested Alison as she wanted to work within her local community.

Alison aims to bring together groups, organisations and individuals to have a say in local decision making.

Alison also volunteers as Treasurer/ Trustee for Spectrum Leisure and Management (SLAM) and is also heavily with the Wear Valley  Basketball Club, based at the Spectrum Leisure Centre in Willington.

Contact Alsion: a.hirst@2d.org.uk 

James Deacon-Brown- Learning with Sport Co-ordinator

James Deacon-Brown, is the Learning With Sport Co-ordinator in partnership with 2D, Voluntary and Community Support Organisation, and Wear Valley District Council.

The ‘Learning with Sport’ project aims to enhance employability by offering free training to individuals living in the following areas: Woodhouse Close, Willington, Sunnybrow, Coundon, Dene Valley,Tow Law, Crook, Henknowle, St Helens Auckland, and West Auckland.

James’s can advise people on many different sports qualifications which can open opportunities to youth and/or community work, PE teaching in schools or the Army, physical training instructing or progression into less physically demanding jobs, such as lecturing, sports development, management or administration.

Contact James: j.deaconbrown@2d.org.uk

Robert Fothergill- Children & Young People's Partcipation Worker

Robert Fothergill started September 05 and his role includes developing initiatives to involve young people between the ages of 5 and 19yrs in decisions about public service delivery that effects them and their peers. He works closely with local groups that involve children and young people.

The role has developed considerably since its establishment in the Autumn of 2005. This has seen a broadening of the age range to cover from birth to age 19 and a strong partnership has been built with a cross-section of organisations in the districts as a result.

These posts have a primary focus on inclusive participation work for children and young people in decisions that affect them, with a particular emphasis on the Every Child Matters agenda. This has included raising the profile of this, particularly in the voluntary and community sector.

Contact: r.fothergill@2d.org.uk