Lynsey Collinson

Lynsey Collinson

Chief Executive

Helena Mair

Helena Mair

Development and Operations Manager

Stuart Couling

Stuart Couling

Social Enterprise Development Manager

About Lynsey

I have worked for developmentplus since October 2006, initially as the Administrator for the St Giles Neighbourhood Team and then, following 9 months of maternity leave, as a Development Worker across the City.

In November 2015, I was made General Manager of developmentplus following the departure of our CEO Jeanne Bain who co-founded the organisation 18 years ago.  I was extremely proud to be offered the position and will strive to take the organisation on to the next phase of its journey with passion and enthusiasm.

My time out of work is primarily spent with my family, either at home or on days out. I also have a passion for reading.

About Helena

I am delighted to be working for developmentplus.  My work and personal life have always been dedicated to community and a sense of fairness.  For over 20 years I have worked in the charity sector for three charities that hold similar values to those of developmentplus. I have always been inspired to work in an environment that is fair, inclusive, and empowering for beneficiaries, volunteers, and staff.

In my spare time I love gardening, I am currently designing a new garden. I love camping and enjoy going to a festival with friends every year.

About Stuart

I spent 18 years presenting on radio stations including Heart and Lincs FM. 

I decided to have a career change and wanted to give something back, so in 2006 I started to do some youth work at Sleaford Youth Centre.  I then went on to work in supported housing projects, starting at LEAP then Sleaford Foyer.  I supported homeless young people in to work, training and education.  I’ve also worked in Tenancy Support in Boston and 6 years for Barnardo’s, matching people up with opportunities that suited them including work, training and volunteering.  I joined developmentplus in 2019 and was part of a partnership that began Better Together, mentoring and helping to provide opportunities for people to improve and sustain positive mental health. 

In August 2023 I moved on to the Social Enterprise Development Manager role, the aim is to create a funding stream from offering workplaces, groups, events etc well-being packages.  I’m looking forward to seeing how this role develops.

Becky Frost

Becky Frost

Project Worker

Clare Bryan

Clare Bryan

Lead Development Worker

Kate Edgar

Kate Edgar

Development Worker

About Becky

I’ve been working with the homeless for a few years now. I helped to devise the Homelessness Report with developmentplus. I am now the Lead Development Worker at Project Compass,  based at 97 High Street, Lincoln which is an advocacy service supporting individuals to access key homeless provision in Lincoln.

I’m an ex primary school teacher. I enjoy climbing and running. And it’s great to be back with developmentplus.

 

About Clare
I have managed and delivered community development programmes in Lincolnshire and Bedfordshire for the last 15 years working with children, young people and their families. Prior to that I ran exhibition and education programmes in museum and galleries around the country  specialising in contemporary craft as I trained as a textile designer. My claim to fame is that I made the gloves for the film Titanic.

My project experience has included working with young people at risk of exclusion from school, with prisoners, prison staff and families, LAC young people, running mentoring programmes and employability workshops.

I am a mentor as part of the business mentoring group at Priory Lincoln school and run my own courses for adults in wellbeing through journaling. I also run a regular class for home schooled children in practical science and design activities.

I have two children, one who is teaching the other still a student so can now spend more time outdoors in my garden and I have a bit of a thing for bushcraft and cooking on open fires.

About Kate

Hi, I’m Kate. I’ve worked at developmentplus for 7 years, for the last 6 heading up the Bridging The Gap project. Prior to joining developmentplus I worked on a similar project for 2 years, working alongside the Community Chaplain and before that I ran a retail website and worked as a business banking manager for a large bank.

The role of lead development worker is challenging but also hugely rewarding. Not only do I get to work one on one with some of the most marginalised people in our community, but I get to support Graeme to do the same. This means between us we can support approximately 50 people a year across the county. Helping them get back on track after their involvement with the criminal justice system. Sometimes working alongside others to pick up areas that are not being supported and sometimes being the only support network that person has and trying to build one round them.

The people we support have all got a story to tell, none of them chose the life they currently lead, but they are choosing to take more positive steps and put negative experiences behind them. Listening to what they’ve been through and supporting them to overcome barriers is such an honour. To be part of someone’s journey, watch them grow and change and move on to better things is amazing!

Change starts with one small decision, action or even just want. As Martin Luther King once said, you don’t need to see the whole staircase to take the first step. We may not end up where we initially hoped or planned, but as long as we’re moving forward we’re making progress!

 

Ian Enright

Ian Enright

Development Worker

Alexandra Chambers

Alexandra Chambers

Development Worker

Graeme Willis

Graeme Willis

Development Worker

About Ian

Hi, my name’s Ian and I’m really enjoying working with participants Steps Programme 1:1 coaching and mentoring project for the next three years. We also run a free, optional, and social, cycling group fortnightly, given the wellbeing benefits associated with gentle exercise, green spaces and socialising. My background is in working with children and families over the last 25 years and I trained as a life coach in 2015. I’m fascinated by people’s stories and ways in which we all make our way through life’s different seasons using our experience, values, resourcefulness, courage and friendships to live it to the full and to enjoy ourselves along the way.

When I’m not at work I’m to be found in various community group settings playing traditional music; singing or dancing at a Barn Dance/Ceilidh. I also love my bike and being out and about in the glorious Lincolnshire Countryside.

About Alexandra

Hi, I’m Alex and I joined developmentplus in December 2021.

My background is working within the Pharmacy sector, and most recently in a forensic setting. I am currently studying Psychology with the Open University and it is my passion to understand others, why we do what we do, helping individuals with the challenges life often presents and most of all embracing our differences as people and enabling others to do the same.

I am a devoted mum in a neurodiverse household and my hobbies are writing poetry and surrealist painting and artwork. I have also been known to sing a bit of karaoke in my time.

 

I am looking forward to really listening to what others have to say, hopefully making a positive difference to people’s lives and I believe that this is the beginning of something wonderful.

About Graeme

I joined Developmentplus in November 2021 working on the Bridging the Gap project.

My background has primarily been in the homelessness field, largely in the third sector but with stints with a local authority and as a DAT coordinator with a health authority. The themes of neglect, abuse, mental ill health and substance misuse have run as a common thread throughout these roles. It seems that as a society we know what works but continue to design systems that restrict access and deny the very support that people need to flourish often at a far greater financial cost.

My role is to help participants navigate through that complex maze.

 

Libby Liberty

Libby Liberty

Project Worker

Sue Oliver

Sue Oliver

Project Worker

Andy Penny

Andy Penny

Development Worker

About Libby

Hi, my name is Libby Liberty, I previously worked at Lincoln Baptist Church for 14 years as site supervisor and started the LIFT project 6 years ago which was feeding the homeless and the community around the church area, it started as a small project but soon grew to where we were feeding 50 people from the local hostels, the homeless and the community.

I have lived experience of homelessness and addiction many years ago.  I am a mum to 3 children who keep me busy when I am not working. I enjoy holidays in the sun and camping with the family. I am enjoying my work with project compass and have a real heart for helping and supporting the rough sleepers.

About Sue

Hi I am Sue Oliver, I am the newest member of the team, but the oldest in age. I have worked for 26 years in banking, latterly as a training manager for Lloyds, and 14 years as a childminder.

I am married with four grown up children. My hobbies are gardening, sewing and walking.

I firstly joined the team as a volunteer which I found both challenging and rewarding, so when I was asked to join as a member of staff I jumped at the chance!

 

 

About Andy

I am a freelance media and sound artist professional musician. I work creatively in education, local-authority, community and regeneration contexts, developing, delivering and managing young peoples’ projects, staff development and training.

I set up Men’s Group which now exists online via Dropbox and a record label via SoundCloud.  I also work with the fabulous Project Compass supporting Rough Sleepers in Lincoln.

I am part of the artist collective The Loud Minority and an artist and board member for the European Arts organisation Drums for Peace.

My passion is music and sharing at every opportunity possible as a teacher, workshop leader, artist, hairdresser, DJ, musician and now development worker.

I love being a part of developmentplus working with this amazing team of people and to be back in sunny Lincoln.

 

CJ Jago

CJ Jago

Development Worker

Elliot Yeates

Elliot Yeates

Development Worker

Sandra Farrington

Sandra Farrington

Administrator/PA

About CJ

 

I’ve worked with Developmentplus and followed their projects for a while, so was thrilled to join the team in 2023.

Joining Project Compass, I work with the street homeless to provide essential daily provisions and work with them to achieve long term solutions and access to support & housing. We’re also working hard to change the way people consider homelessness and offer real solutions as to how they can support people in the city facing or experiencing this.   

I would consider myself a real advocate for community, what I believe it should represent and how it should factor into our daily life. I think one of the fundamental short falls in our society is the current disconnect of people. We know now that can have a severe knock on to mental health, as well as being the common cause of many other social problems. 

 In short, people are happier in groups, we’re social creatures, and I absolutely love creating environments and initiatives that promote this. Either in people that I work with or the spaces that I work in.

 My time away from work is generally spent outdoors, nature is so great for the soul.  I love bird watching, walking, camping, growing things and dancing. All done in the wonder of the wilderness. 

About Elliot
About Sandra

I have joined developmentplus to support the CEO, Board members, Development and Development Workers with a range of admin tasks.  I bring with me over 20 years of experience as an administrator and PA in the NHS and local government, and it is great to now be working in the third sector.

My aim is to free the team of their administration, so that they can concentrate on supporting their clients and moving the projects forward.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and making the most of all that Lincolnshire has to offer.

Laura Harris

Laura Harris

Project Administrator

Vicky Henderson

Vicky Henderson

Development Worker

About Laura

Hi, I am Laura, I have been working with developmentplus since November 2022 but my history with the organisation goes back a few years further.

After spending most of my life moving around with my military family we decided to settle in this beautiful city of Lincoln. In 2018 I started working with the developmentplus Steps programme after losing my home to a fire, my job due to an illness and dealing with all the upheaval this caused. I felt so supported by my mentor, my confidence higher than it had been in years, that when I heard they were setting up an art club, I jumped at the chance to be part of it.  A couple of years later I was asked if I would like to help run the art club, it’s the best thing I have ever done. Since 2022 I also work as a project admin support where I have been able to help give out warm packs to those struggling to keep warm at home and get people into cooking on a budget courses in the city. Art club is still my main love, and I am excited to soon be running a green project on my allotment plot in the centre of the city.

Outside of work I enjoy exploring new places, cooking while listening to music with my family and meeting friends for a drink, catch up and occasional boogie.  

 

About Vicky
 

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