Fact File
Performance to date |
September 2017
|
• Over 400 primary aged children have attended an activity at Wonderful Things since August 2013 with over 3,000 bookings.
• We currently have 25 Youth Volunteers (aged 10-16), regular adult volunteers and 2 members of staff.
• Over 200 days of activities have been delivered.
• Partnership working with educational establishments (including Accrington & Rossendale College, University of Central Lancashire, Alder Grange High School), local and national organisations (including Newground, Flashbang Science, RSPB) and local businesses and residents.
• Funding from Lottery for pilot in 2013/14 and since then funds from United Utilities, Rock FM, Lancashire County Council Members, Rossendale Borough Council for specific activities and part time bilingual member of staff.
• Winner of Pride of the Valley Award 2016; Winner of the Enterprising Young Person Award (Rossendale Business Awards 2017) for their team of Youth Volunteers; Finalists in three categories of the Selnet Awards 2017; Highly Commended Enabling Ability category of Selnet Awards 2015; finalists in Rossendale Business Awards 2013, 2014, 2015 including Highly Commended Award for Project Manager, Kate Crane; Junior Member of the Year 2015 in the Lancashire Boys and Girls Clubs Awards won by a Youth Volunteer.
• Spin offs: Wonderful Little Things (forest pre-school), Wonderful Women project with Rossendale Soroptimists, Youth Volunteers workshops, Finding the Future (Y5/6 careers), Art Club, author visit day, Christmas parties, Fundraising, Youth Volunteer Residential Trip, extension of youth voluntary work into school.
• We currently have 25 Youth Volunteers (aged 10-16), regular adult volunteers and 2 members of staff.
• Over 200 days of activities have been delivered.
• Partnership working with educational establishments (including Accrington & Rossendale College, University of Central Lancashire, Alder Grange High School), local and national organisations (including Newground, Flashbang Science, RSPB) and local businesses and residents.
• Funding from Lottery for pilot in 2013/14 and since then funds from United Utilities, Rock FM, Lancashire County Council Members, Rossendale Borough Council for specific activities and part time bilingual member of staff.
• Winner of Pride of the Valley Award 2016; Winner of the Enterprising Young Person Award (Rossendale Business Awards 2017) for their team of Youth Volunteers; Finalists in three categories of the Selnet Awards 2017; Highly Commended Enabling Ability category of Selnet Awards 2015; finalists in Rossendale Business Awards 2013, 2014, 2015 including Highly Commended Award for Project Manager, Kate Crane; Junior Member of the Year 2015 in the Lancashire Boys and Girls Clubs Awards won by a Youth Volunteer.
• Spin offs: Wonderful Little Things (forest pre-school), Wonderful Women project with Rossendale Soroptimists, Youth Volunteers workshops, Finding the Future (Y5/6 careers), Art Club, author visit day, Christmas parties, Fundraising, Youth Volunteer Residential Trip, extension of youth voluntary work into school.
Project Managers of Wonderful Things
Kate Crane is Joint Project Manager and a Director of Wonderful Things. She created this initiative in 2013 whilst working as an Extended Services Manager in a primary school in East Lancashire. She has previously worked in the charitable sector following a 20 year career in law.
Kate's interests include reading, walking, art journaling, her local community and looking out for new and exciting activities for the children at Wonderful Things! |
Julia Ansell is Joint Project Manager and a Director of Wonderful Things. She met Kate whilst working as a teacher where she was co-ordinator of Art and DT. She previously worked in Early Years and delivers TalkFirst baby signing classes in the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley area.
Her interests include Art and Music and she runs a local school choir. She has also delivered workshops for Wonderful Things. |
Directors of Wonderful Things
Julia Ansell BA (Hons) A qualified Primary school teacher with experience teaching the Early Years and Primary Curriculum. Her specialist area is the development of the creative curriculum, including Music, Art and Design Technology. She is qualified to deliver the Arts Award at Explore and Discover Levels.
Kate Crane Creator of Wonderful Things. Experience in project management, charity/voluntary sectors, extended services work in primary education, community engagement, marketing, events organisation. Early career in law (20 years), experience as a School Governor, founder of two local charities. Twice finalist in Rossendale Woman of the Year.
Lesley Doherty Experienced healthcare sector Director & CEO. Sat on a number of national body's and charities including the National Chair of the neonatal nurses association. Advisor to 3 international quality improvement healthcare consultancies and non executive of a NHS clinical commissioning group.
Alison Driver MBA qualified HR Consultant managing a local HR consultancy practice with 180+ clients. With 35 years' experience of managing people and organisational resources to deliver strategic and operational objectives Alison brings a valuable level of practical oversight and involvement to the Board.
Claire Holt B.Sc Hons. MIChemE. CEng: Innovation and Partnership Development Director at University of Central Lancashire. Founder and Managing Director at Flashbang Science. Business advisor and Mentor. School Governor. Athletics coach, IOD Award, IChemE awards. 25 years experience across a diversity of corporate chemical and in global blue chip companies through to start ups. Fully signed up STEMNet Ambassador for North West schools.
Charlotte Scheffmann RGN, BA(Hons), MA and PGCE qualified Assistant Principal of a college of further & higher education. She has several years experience of senior leadership and board memberships. She has extensive project management experience and currently is the strategic lead for higher education and business development. Charlotte is the current Chair of the Board of Directors.
Kate Crane Creator of Wonderful Things. Experience in project management, charity/voluntary sectors, extended services work in primary education, community engagement, marketing, events organisation. Early career in law (20 years), experience as a School Governor, founder of two local charities. Twice finalist in Rossendale Woman of the Year.
Lesley Doherty Experienced healthcare sector Director & CEO. Sat on a number of national body's and charities including the National Chair of the neonatal nurses association. Advisor to 3 international quality improvement healthcare consultancies and non executive of a NHS clinical commissioning group.
Alison Driver MBA qualified HR Consultant managing a local HR consultancy practice with 180+ clients. With 35 years' experience of managing people and organisational resources to deliver strategic and operational objectives Alison brings a valuable level of practical oversight and involvement to the Board.
Claire Holt B.Sc Hons. MIChemE. CEng: Innovation and Partnership Development Director at University of Central Lancashire. Founder and Managing Director at Flashbang Science. Business advisor and Mentor. School Governor. Athletics coach, IOD Award, IChemE awards. 25 years experience across a diversity of corporate chemical and in global blue chip companies through to start ups. Fully signed up STEMNet Ambassador for North West schools.
Charlotte Scheffmann RGN, BA(Hons), MA and PGCE qualified Assistant Principal of a college of further & higher education. She has several years experience of senior leadership and board memberships. She has extensive project management experience and currently is the strategic lead for higher education and business development. Charlotte is the current Chair of the Board of Directors.