Marcia Samuels - Chief Officer (jobshare)
I joined Redbridge Council for Voluntary Service as job share Chief Officer in May 2003. The role of the Chief Officer is to ensure the development of the organisation and the staff; the delivery of advice, assistance and guidance to groups within the voluntary and community sector in Redbridge. The aim being to ensure the development of a stronger and more effective voluntary and community sector in the London borough of Redbridge. As though that was not tough enough we also have to meet the demands of funders and the aims and objectives set for RCVS by the management committee. This would appear to be a very daunting task but is proving to be an enjoyable and challenging experience.
Once one has looked beyond the initial shock of the task that lay ahead and meeting some of the groups that are in the community providing very valuable and needed service it became a delightful task. We are here to help groups develop and to enable them access training and information that will help them better deliver their services. It is clear who the true heroes are. The heroes are the many individuals that we work with each day who put in long hours, at times with very limited resources to ensure that isolated, vulnerable, hard to reach members of our community get the help they need.
I am no super woman but I do have the skills and experience to assist the team deliver advice, training, support and other resources to help each group achieve their aims and objectives. I have many years experience working with offenders and young people in the voluntary and statutory sector. My previous employment includes; Probation Service, Social Service; Newham Consortium for Youth and the Youth Justice Board. I have worked on local and national initiatives. I have developed and managed a charity providing mediation services. I have managed and developed staff/ volunteers and managed budgets. I have worked with a variety of individuals including representatives who were volunteers; court representatives; police; education; health; housing representatives and Government Ministers.
I truly believe that the voluntary and community sector is strongest when we all work together. We all have the same aim which is about improving the lives of the people within our community. We all want to make a positive difference. If you are not yet on board come and join us at our monthly network meetings where we can exchange information, forge partnerships and share information and good practise.
I am normally in the office Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays. If for any reason you are unhappy with our service or feel we could improve in any area please contact either by telephone or by email.