Coast and Vale Community Action Exists to Empower Communities To Make Positive Change

Our Strategic Vision is of thriving communities which are independent, entrepreneurial and connected.

Our Mission is to:

Support, develop and empower communities
Help people and communities to feel a sense of collective agency – so they believe in their ability to work together to make a difference
Promote co-operation and common goals aimed at improving lives for everyone

The way in which we deliver this mission is by bringing people together, providing access to facilities and resources and building confidence, aspiration and entrepreneurial skills. By doing this we can help to support a local economy that works for local people, we can build the foundations for growing aspirations, and we can grow resilient people and communities.

Our work is

People focused
Place based
Dynamic (it adapts and changes); and
Collaborative, building strong relationships and encouraging the sharing of power.

If you have an idea to make a difference to your community which will improve lives, then we can help you.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Coast and Vale Community Action started life over 100 years ago as a true poverty alleviation charity, distributing alms to the poor of Scarborough.

One of our favourite stories was of funds being granted to provide cotton knickers to vulnerable ladies. In the 1950s we delivered cooking classes for widowed men, and as recently as the 1990s we were delivering coal vouchers to those in need. Over the years we have developed and grown in line with community need, emerging into our current form following two successful mergers with similar organisations.

We spent many years acting primarily as what is known as a Local Infrastructure Organisation, or Council for Voluntary Service, helping frontline charitable organisations to address the causes and impacts of poverty by enabling them to do what they do, better. Now, we seek to enhance that traditional infrastructure offer, provided centrally in North Yorkshire, with a new kind of local infrastructure support, being an honest broker in conversations about community need.

We have a vision of thriving communities which are independent, entrepreneurial and connected. Our charitable mission is to support, develop and enable communities; to help people and communities feel a sense of collective agency (so they believe in their ability to work together to make a difference) and to promote cooperation and common purpose.

Our work is people-focused, place-based, dynamic and collaborative – building strong relationships and encouraging the sharing of power.

We are a charitable social enterprise earning over 80% of our income from charitable trading activity. All our tenants contribute to the delivery of our charitable purpose through the rent they pay. By maintaining a high earned income base we are able to demonstrate independence and financial resilience.

OUR STAFF

We know our staff team is a brilliant bunch, but you may not realise who they all are.

So here in their own words (and pictures!) meet the CaVCA staff team…

Melanie L Bonney –

Chief Executive

Mel is CaVCA’s CEO – she’s small and a little bit fierce, but passionate about the power of community to make the change that’s needed.

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Gemma Abell –

Migrant Community Development Worker

I am Gem, I am a Migrant Community Development Worker CaVCA. I am a mum of 3 and I find joy in investing in the next generation. I enjoy bringing people together and building lasting connections.

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Roma Bonney –

Welfare Officer

Hello 😊 I’m Roma. I joined the team in December 2021 and I look after everyone at The Street. My favourite things are the beach, balls, frisbees, mountains, food and tummy rubs. I help with the Monday Monkeys climbing sessions.

Roger Brown – Receptionist

Funky Receptionist with super powers that he likes to keep under his hat.

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Benita Hibbert – Facilities and Front Of House Manager

CaVCA’s Facilities and Front of House Manager, full time mum to Cleo the Cockerpoo and Noggin the Rabbit. She helps to keep the buildings running smoothly and loves to help people.

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Sammy Stainthorpe – Receptionist

Sammy is a Green Lane Centre Receptionist – she is fun, helpful and loves talking.

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Danny Grant – Receptionist

Part-time receptionist | Full time family man.

Proud Husband and Dad to 2 Amazing Humans, 5 Cats, a plethora of fish and a Springador who thinks he’s a 22 kilo lapdog!

When I’m not managing the chaos, I’m practicing karate and enjoying some loud rock music.

Most situations can be rapidly improved by good laughter and a strong cup of tea.

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thestreet@cavca.org.uk

David Stone – Strategic Development Manager

David likes nothing more than a good plot and a bit of muck spreading, but when he tears himself away from his allotment he sows seeds of social and environmental action via, amongst other things, our Circular Coast, Waste Not Want Not and Community Research Network projects.

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Alice Lambert – Street Rocks Manager

Climbing isnt Alice’s only hobby, from braiding hair to building furniture, she rarely sits still.

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Daniel Bennett – Reception

Ducky Dan the mustachio man, a chatty friendly face to welcome you to the building. Dan is also part of the Street Rocks team.

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Sue Wilson – Finance Manager

Sue loves cruising the world with her hubby, and spending time with her grandchildren. She also loves Christmas Jumpers! See if you can spot her every December.

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Charlotte Angus – Street Action Coordinator

With a strong background in community work and time spent as a local case worker, I am passionate about supporting people to take positive steps forward. I am really looking forward to getting started with ‘Street Action’ and to meeting people who are wanting to try something new in their community

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Kris Coyne – Reception

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Claire Morrison – Reception

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Lynn Moore – Reception

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OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

David Warner

Chair

Iain Johnston

Treasurer

Iain was born in Scotland but grew up in Scarborough and has lived here for nearly all of his life, so almost qualifies as a Yorkshireman! A retired Chartered Accountant, his interests now centre around travel, theatre, walking and sport (sadly, watching only nowadays).