Staff IconSanja Djeric-Kane, CEO

I have volunteered and worked for the local voluntary sector for 12 years in a variety of roles, which included managing training provision for Kingston Voluntary Action, and running two amazing local organisations which support the most deprived members of our community.

Email Sanja

Staff IconJacky Fung, Finance Manager

My role is to support general accounting and finance work in KVA, and to develop my understanding of charity accounting. This requires me to work with different departments and network with other charities in the Borough.

I can look at your charity finance processes and advise you on how to ensure that they are meeting requirements, and are as efficient as possible. I can support you with topics such as VAT, book keeping, annual account, holiday pay and reserves policies.

Email Jacky

Staff IconSue Lawrence, Finance Assistant

I have worked in the voluntary sector for 15 years. Prior to joining KVA, I worked for Richmond CVS as Finance Assistant.

I am responsible for the purchase ledger, sales ledger, banking, VAT and some project budgets.

Email Sue

Staff IconAlison Ewart, Funding and Organisational Development Officer

I have worked in the voluntary sector for over twenty years, mainly in smaller community organisations, helping local communities identify what they need and organise and build capacity to achieve this.

I can help you with identifying need and deciding whether to set up a local group or organisation, and how to go about it; what to think about when considering what legal form to take; help with registering your organisation: developing policies and systems; business planning and fundraising, monitoring and evaluating your work, and signposting to local networks.

Email Alison

Staff IconJill Darling, Policy and Partnerships Officer

I joined KVA in October 2016 after a career in organisational and staff development mainly in and around the voluntary, community and public sectors.  Most recently I was the Voluntary Sector Lead at Kingston Council where I ran the Corporate Grants programme for nearly 5 years and worked closely on the joint development of Kingston’s first Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy.
In my current role, I am committed to doing what I can to support this, by maintaining and developing the Voluntary & Community Sector Partnership Board as a place where the VCSE collective voice can be heard, working with statutory partners to influence their policies and plans to include a VCSE perspective and providing advice and support to help local VCSE organisations set up, development and grow.

Email Jill

Staff IconKaren Penny, Children and Young People Project Officer

I am responsible for the Children and Young People's Project in Kingston. I have worked in the voluntary sector for 20 years, the first five as the Publications Manager for a national charity, two years as a Freelancer while my daughter was very young, and then 13 years running Home-Start Kingston; supporting families with young children.

I can help you with information and advice around safeguarding. I can also work to represent you and your organisations at the various boards and network that I attend related to children and young people.

 

Email Karen

Staff IconGurpreet Keila, Connected Kingston Project Manager

Prior to this role I worked as the National Development Manager for the Campaign for Learning. My background is in marketing, fundraising and project management, as well as a keen interest in wellbeing.

 

Email Gurpreet

Staff IconKathryn Smyth, Buddy Scheme Co-ordinator

I have spent 30 years working in the voluntary sector, managing volunteers and working with people with disabilities. I also have experience of working with families and on helplines. 

On the Buddy Scheme I match volunteers to a buddy with a learning disability or on the Autistic Spectrum so I take referrals from people wanting a buddy and recruit volunteers to the scheme.

Email Kathryn