Meet the Panel for the Active Devon Volunteer Awards 2023

We are delighted to announce the panel for the Active Devon Volunteer Awards 2023.

The Active Devon Volunteer Awards are being run for the second year and this year we will be working with a panel to help us select the award winners.

Together the panel has a wealth of experience across the voluntary and community sector, diversity and inclusion, youth work, health and wellbeing and supporting under-represented groups.

Meet the panel:

Tom Coulthard, CEO, VOYC

Tom is the CEO of VOYC, (Voluntary Organisations for Young People and Children). As CEO, he leads VOYC to achieve its vision of developing a vibrant, diverse and sustainable voluntary and community children and young people sector in Devon, that enables and enhances the quality of services for children and young people.

Tom has been involved in youth work since his teenage years when he volunteered as a kayak instructor at his local canoe club and scouts’ group. Tom went on to run his own voluntary youth club for 17 years and has previously worked for Devon Youth Service, Space Youth Services Community Team where he supported volunteer youth workers from across Devon and has served as a Town Councillor in Kingsbridge.

David Feindouno, Founder and Chair, Plymouth Hope Charity

David is the founder and chair of Plymouth Hope, a charity which aims to promote social inclusion, good relations between different ethnic groups and support community participation in healthy recreation through football and other physical activities. As a qualified football coach, David can also be found helping with coaching sessions for Plymouth Hope FC.

David’s other roles include Associate Non-Executive Director of Livewell Southwest, and he is a Project Manager with the British Red Cross where he works to support refugees across the Southwest.

David’s outstanding contribution to volunteering has been recognised with a ‘Points of Light Award’ from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Pete Ferlie, Active in Later Life Manager, Age UK Devon

Pete has over 40 years volunteering experience as a run leader, event organiser and race director. Pete is a keen park runner either as a participant or volunteer.

In his current professional role, he supports the over 50s within Devon to get more active and connect socially, providing opportunities ranging from sporting memories cafes, sea swimming and walking football. Pete previously worked as Health and Wellbeing Officer for Exeter City Community Trust where he ran a number of programmes to give people more opportunity to become active and improve their health and wellbeing.

Hannah McDonald, National Partnerships Manager, Sport England

Within her role at Sport England Hannah has a focus on tackling inequalities and strengthening the connections between sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing so more people can feel the benefits of and advocate for an active life.

Hannah brings expertise and experience in health, social prescribing and community development from her previous roles within NHS Primary Care and as the Community Partnership Development Manager for One Northern Devon. Hannah is also an Active Devon Board Member.

Karen Nolan, Chief Officer, West Devon CVS & Partner Chief Officer for Devon Voluntary Action

Karen has supported and advocated on behalf of the voluntary and community sector at local, district and county level. She has been involved in many projects from the very local – such as supported volunteering in West Devon – to the large- the Devon Wide Cost of Living Grants which supported 143 different voluntary and community groups across Devon.

It is Karen’s job to make sure that all elements of the voluntary sector in West Devon and beyond are supported to be able to deliver their services and her belief that our society would not be functional without the amazing efforts and commitment of the voluntary and community sector and its staff and volunteers.

In a personal capacity Karen is a trustee for a local children and young peoples counselling organisation and volunteers on an ad hoc basis for local village events.