Charity expands team to further support local community

Local charity and active partnership for Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, Rise, is celebrating the continued expansion of its workforce with three new team members.

Dani Crispin, Jaki Duffy and Yasmin Ganley joined the team earlier this month in their roles as Early Years Development Manager, Berwick Key Worker, and Development Officer respectively, and having undergone a successful induction process are now settling into the team.

In addition, the charity is now advertising a further two brand new positions – Active Ageing Development Manager and Funding Development Manager – increasing the number of staff by 7 in just 16 months.

Clare Morley, CEO at Rise, said: “We have ambitious plans for Rise to contribute strongly to systems across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear in order to support those communities who need it the most in our region.

“By growing our team through these new appointments and positions, we are really focussing in on how we can support our system partners to maximise their results using physical activity, and in doing so achieve our ten-year strategic aims.”

Rise, which previously operated as Northumberland Sport and Tyne & Wear Sport, was formed early last year when the two legacy organisations combined, forming a team of 16 staff. Now, just over a year later, the charity boasts a 21-strong team, soon to be 23 when the current recruitment process is completed.

Unlike many businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic did not put a stop to recruitment for Rise, with three staff members joining the team during lockdown – meaning new starters began their roles working from home and meeting colleagues via virtual meetings, until they were able to meet at their new North Shields office when lockdown was initially lifted back in September.

Clare continued: “Our team has really pulled together during lockdown and worked incredibly well to support our partners – and each other – despite the conditions of lockdown and working from home. The fact we’ve been able to welcome new team members in a virtual capacity and still feel like one big team is testament to that. We’re really looking forward to meeting the successful applicants for our latest vacancies and having them on board as we strive to deliver on our strategic aims.”