Meet the Team

Una Key is our Chief Executive and joined AVA in December 2023 bringing with her over forty years experience in the sector.

Una began her career in Ashfield and is delighted to be working in Ashfield to benefit local people once more.

Teresa Jackson is a trustee of Ashfield Voluntary Action and is very passionate about her role as a volunteer and Director of Ashfield Community Enterprise (ACE). 

Teresa enjoys gardening and has recently taken on rebuilding and improving her house.

As the former Manager and CEO of Ashfield Voluntary Action, Teresa wanted to continue supporting the charity and is a much-valued member of the team.

Ellen Clay is the Administrator who provides essential administrative support at AVA.

Ellen had previously worked as an Assessor and Verifier in the Education Sector.

As a member of the National Trust, Ellen loves to visit old houses, learn their history and take a walk around their grounds along with Henry her Scottish Terrier.

Jamie Herberts is the Group Facilitator for our gardening group and also supports AVA's allotment. Jamie finds gardening inspirational and relaxing and enjoys meeting new people.

Jamie is a keen gardener and is interested in garden design as well as a passionate recycler, finding new ways to re-use items in the garden. Jamie is also AVA's unofficial creative director!

Simon Hilton initially joined us October 2021 as a volunteer IT support worker, but has now become a member of our staff team. Prior to joining AVA, Simon worked in Special Educational Needs for 18 years and joined us on his retirement. Being a lifelong Ashfield resident, Simon wanted to make use of his skills and knowledge and also to put something back into the community. 

Simon's interests are; music, playing the guitar, and he has a lifelong fascination with history. Simon has a cat called Brilleaux who he works for in his spare time.  

Katherine Houlding joined us in March 2022 through the Kickstart programme. One of her main roles is marketing for AVA to promote our groups and activities to the community on social media platforms. She creates posters and leaflets for the promotion of other organisations as well as AVA. Katherine's most recent marketing role is creating the AVA Newsletter.

Katherine also works as an admin assistant taking calls, filling in databases and general office assistance.

Katherine enjoys photography, nature, and spending time with her friends and family.

Yvonne Hudson joined AVA in July 2021 to support the Thriving Communities project and now provides support for our Health Inequalities project by being a Community events and activities officer. She has worked in the voluntary sector for six years having previously worked in the library service. "I love working for the community in which I live and being able to make a difference". Throughout the pandemic, Yvonne was the Volunteer Coordinator at the Ashfield Vaccination Centre.

Yvonne enjoys walking, cycling, gardening and spending time with her family.

Ken Bradshaw is a Trustee at Ashfield Voluntary Action having joined the team in 2020. Ken has extensive knowledge on business finance - an ideal skill in a charity setting.  

A family man, Ken is retired and enjoys travel. 

Jac Lemmen is a Trustee at Ashfield Voluntary Action having joined the team early in 2020. Jac's background as a Chemical Engineer means that he brings a fresh new perspective and skill set to the charity. He is process driven, results orientated, meticulous, accurate and organised. All skills which help equip the charity to go forward. 

Jac also volunteers for the Emergency Foodbank and enjoys watching television, visiting historical sites and walking.

Patrizia Canova rejoined as a trustee for Ashfield Voluntary Action in October 2023. She is a Director of Ashfield Community Enterprise which is the trading arm of AVA. Patrizia helps run our Kiosk and FAVA shop.

Patrizia also volunteers for the Emergency Foodbank, which provides food parcels for the Mansfield and Ashfield areas.

Phil Marshall is our longest serving Trustee having joined AVA in 2004. His former employment as Chief Executive for Ashfield District Council means that he is perfectly placed to be a guiding light for the charity and has helped us to go from strength-to-strength.   

Phil is a Governor of an academy and also sits on the boards of two charities. He is a life-long Nottingham Forest fan and has been a Season Ticket holder for most of that time. Phil also enjoys travel.

Peter Robinson is a Trustee at Ashfield Voluntary Action using his vast wealth of commercial experience to help to steer the charity through challenging times. Peter brings an invaluable perspective through his experience in working to further the patient voice with NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and also with many years supporting the voluntary sector.

Peter has many interests including gardening, music, walking with his wife, supporting his son, volunteering for the GP practice network and doing voluntary work. 

Elliot Thorpe (they/them) is our Community Research Officer who joined us in 2021 through the government's Kickstart scheme. Elliot supports the running of our LGBT+ group and is the AVA lead for inclusion and Diversity. They are also currently studying for a Master's degree in Psychological Wellbeing & Mental Health at Nottingham Trent University.

Elliot is interested in History and Psychology and enjoys nature walks, video games like Minecraft, and spending time with their family.

Sarah Taylor works to around patient engagement and works to support the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in Ashfield. Sarah has worked in the voluntary sector for almost twenty five years. Her area of expertise is in community development and funding and she is a passionate advocate of inclusion and access.

Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, music and is mad about dogs!

Megan Walker joined us in March 2021 and helps us with Reception and Administration. Before joining us, Megan was on a 12 week Princes Trust programme. 

Megan enjoys reading, going out with friends and spending time with her family. She also enjoys music and watching movies and is a highly popular member of the team and is known throughout the Centre for her sunny smile.