About us
CASC is a workers cooperative comprising experienced consultants with a track-record of working with a variety of voluntary and community sector organisations, including arts-based organisations.
I have over twenty years’ experience running voluntary sector organisations in London, Liverpool and Manchester. It all started back in 1996 when I set up a theatre company with the idea of taking Shakespeare to young people. In 2000 I oversaw the building and subsequent development of Valley Community Theatre in Liverpool. Then onto Toxteth TV and am presently the Director of ALL FM; the Community Radio Station of the Year 2019/20.
In leading these organisations a key part of my role was to generate revenue. So by necessity I have become a skilled and successful fundraiser. I put these skills to use at ALL FM and as a freelance fundraiser. Most recently I have worked with Longtown Memorial Hall and Community Centre, the Together Trust, the Revival Hub, Valley Community Theatre and Turnitaround. You can read Ed’s full bio here.
I am a specialist practitioner and consultant working across the range of needs communities and voluntary organisations, and I have over 25 years of experience in the sector with extensive knowledge of working with refugee and migrant groups and the organisations that support them. I work with groups strategically, supporting governance and sustainability, business planning, budgeting and funding and organisational development using Participatory Methods. You can read Steve’s full bio here.
I spent the first 10 years of my career working in the voluntary sector, 7 of which were spent managing a small organisation (with a large number of volunteers). I transformed that organisation from one that survived on small grants to one that delivered commissioned services on behalf of a range of different funders. I then joined the Third Sector Team at Manchester City Council and was responsible for the design, delivery, evaluation and management of a wide range of grants programmes and some significant third sector contracts. I am also responsible for the creation and implementation of a wide range of policies, including the Manchester Compact, the Community Engagement Strategy and the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) policy. After this, I moved into Corporate Property within the Council to turn the CAT policy into a proactive programme to support community organisations taking on council-owned properties. 17 years later, I’ve brought my skills and experience back to the voluntary sector, with a view to strengthening the sector even further.
I have almost 30 years of operational, management and strategic experience in the public, voluntary and social enterprise sectors.
I have worked for and with small charities, local authorities, housing associations and social enterprises in a variety of roles. In my last role, I lead a team delivering grant giving and support to early stage and established Social Enterprises across the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
I have worked with almost 100 social entrepreneurs and social enterprises helping them build their operations and impact.
I use a coaching style seasoned with technical advice and counsel as required and bring a commitment to justice, equity, and fairness and the belief that dialogue and communication, coupled with insight and intelligence from across teams, organisations and communities offer the best way to manage our challenges and work effectively to create social change.