My Background
My name is Lucy Wood and I have always been motivated by helping people. I finished a sport degree at university and spent a while in Brussels working for a dyslexia charity (I’m dyslexic) called Dyslexia International Tools and Technologies. Since then I’ve worked for the public sector, and spent time working for the Inclusive Fitness Initiative, making gyms inclusive for disabled people. I did a postgraduate certificate in disability studies alongside that, and set up a website looking at the Media Representation of Disabled People. In August 2007 I started work as a Development Manager for a fantastic organisation called UnLtd. Every day I worked directly with social entrepreneurs, helping them to set up and develop their social venutures. In March 2008 I decided to take some time out to visit and work with a range of social projects in Southern India. I learnt alot from the country and the inspiring individuals that I met there. I spent time helping a women’s self help group establish a Spirulina business to provide jobs for local people, worked with NGO project workers to revise management structures and business processes and visited many projects including child rights, education, street kids, mental health, employment, womens, disability, human rights, reforestation, arts, environmental etc. After my time in India I returned to work for UnLtd as the Live UnLtd Sport Relief Development Manager for the North of England. In this position I worked with over 180 young people aged 11-21yrs old, helping them to set up and run social ventures solving social issues through sport, art and recreational activities. Alongside this I was involved in helping UnLtd revise it’s strategy including testing, leading and shaping UnLtd’s growth model, of developing partnerships with like minded organisations who could implement UnLtd’s model of working with Social Entrepreneurs. I did this by setting up and running a pilot project with Bolton Interfaith Council as part of NESTA’s Neighbourhood Challenge Programme.
What I Do Now
I am currently working for Reform a start up Digital Management Consultancy helping them to grow their business. Alongside this I am a Non Executive Director of a start up Social Enterprise in Leeds- The Leeds Music Hub and a volunteer for UnLtd Connect, supporting social entrepreneurs. Wherever I can I help individuals to come up with ideas, and develop, plan and implement them to achieve great things. I am still learning a lot about the social sector both in the UK and abroad. In March 2010 I spent time in northern Sweden learning about how they are nurturing entrepreneurial spirit in the education system and helping young people to set up enterprises to tackle social issues. I also undertook a University course about Social Enterprise to improve my knowledge and challenge my thinking on the subject. I have set up this website to share my knowledge, help other social entrepreneurs and get to know other people in the sector.
About Me
I love being active and doing things- I run, walk and play tennis when I get a chance. Last year I spent time trekking in Greenland which is the most beautiful and remote place I have been. The people that know me would probably say that I have way too much energy, have a huge thirst for knowledge and learning and always look for new and exciting ways of doing things. I am passionate about helping people and working with others to improve things. I believe that individuals can achieve great things if they have the right support and believe in themselves.
If you would like to Get in touch to chat about any ideas that you have or think that I maybe able to help you, drop me a line if I can I will!! Also get in touch if you have any ideas for my website.
Lucy