Meet the team - our trustees
Lesley Maslen - Chair of Trustees
The driving force behind the project’s inception is retired businesswoman Lesley Maslen. She was very concerned about local families who may be struggling to provide nutritious meals when household budgets were so tight. Lesley imagined it being a short term project, however due to her drive and desire to help, Food For Families is busier than ever and diversifying all the time. Lesley has worked tirelessly to make FFF what it is today.
Jeanette Stokes
Jeanette is the bedrock of Food for Families, with over 22 years experience working in a school kitchen; she brings a wealth of cooking know-how but is also extremely hardworking, positive and funny. It's never a dull moment in the kitchen if Jeanette is cooking. With a 'can do' attitude, she works tirelessly with Lesley to make Food For Families a success.
Jamie Stuttard
Headteacher of one of our local schools, Jamie has been incredibly supportive of Food For Families right from the beginning, with his school being the first to sign up. A constant support and help to us, often helping to distribute the meals in the playground on a weekly basis.
Katrina Lee
Kat first became involved with Food For Families as the Morrisons Community Champion. She now works for local mental health charity, but as a keen supporter Kat lives locally and has a fantastic knowledge of the local community.
Rachael Whittaker
Married to a local business owner who had sponsored Food for Families, Rachael took a personal interest in supporting our cause. As a businesswoman in her own right, with her brand of children's vitamins, she was keen to be involved and help to support local families.
Meet the Team - Our volunteers
Carol
Carol
Carol
One of our main cooks, Carol has been with us from the start. She has a wealth of knowledge due to being a retired primary school and home economics teacher. She will be instrumental in launching and running our cookery classes, Let's Cook! Carol also features in our 'how to' videos on our YouTube channel
Sue H
Carol
Carol
Another one of our cooks, Sue is a whizz in the kitchen. She has years of catering experience gained from working in school and commercial kitchens. A great baker and cake decorator, Sue also supports the local community as an active member of GRO.
Val
Carol
Val
Val has been part of FFF from the early days, she's a well known supporter of the local community. Always upbeat, Val is a great help in the kitchen whether it's preparing the meals or packing. Val is also our tombola queen and represents FFF at local fundraising events.
Debbie
Debbie
Debbie
A retired ER nurse, Debbie is always calm and collected in the kitchen, super helpful, and not phased by anything! Debbie usually helps in the kitchen but will step up and help anywhere she is needed. Helping us to be zero heroes, Debbie deals with all our packaging, ensuring it is recycled.
Karen
Debbie
Debbie
Karen is an actress and voice over artist who features in the 'how to' videos on our YouTube channel, but on a weekly basis you can find her in the kitchen, helping prep the meals, pack them, wash up and generally helping where needed.
Tracy
Debbie
Tracy
When she is not on duty at the West Vale Co-op, Tracy is also helping at Food For Families. Tracy is always ready to step in and help, and does a range of food prepping, packing, sorting the goody bags, cleaning and washing up.
Eileen
Eileen
Eileen
As one half of a pair with her partner Paul, you will find Eileen labelling the bags for delivery or peeling and prepping veg ready for storage. Eileen is an intrepid traveller and is often globetrotting when not volunteering with FFF.
Paul
Eileen
Eileen
The quieter of the pair with Eileen, Paul can be relied upon to help us with labelling or peeling and prepping veg. He also enjoys travelling and exploring when not volunteering.
Tina
Eileen
Tina
Tina joins us in the kitchen every week, she's a great all rounder prepping the food, arranging the goody bags, washing up etc. and giving us her pearls of wisdom.
Becky
Becky
Becky
Becky supports FFF in the kitchen despite being a nurse, volunteer at Project Colt and a barista who makes a mean coffee! She can be relied upon to help us with prep and cooking in the kitchen on a regular basis.
Rod
Becky
Becky
One of our new drivers
Susan
Becky
Susan
Happy to lend a hand in the kitchen
Sarah
Richard
Richard
An ex-nurse and now a furniture restorer, Sarah offered to help where we needed, you'll have seen her delivering the summer lunches, now she'll be in the kitchen on a regular basis.
Richard
Richard
Richard
Working at Project Colt, Richard is often on hand to help with moving and lifting, a great help with our deliveries.
Maria
Richard
Maria
Maria works at Elland and District Food Bank with whom we have developed great networks, supporting each other where we can. Maria helps with our deliveries to schools on a rota basis.
Doug
Graham
Chris
One our new volunteers
Chris
Graham
Chris
As a local ward councillor, Chris is a great supporter of the local community and was keen to help out with FFF, and recently volunteered to be our Treasurer
Graham
Graham
Graham
Retired Headteacher, Graham, is always on hand to support in whatever way needed, be that dropping meals off at the schools or delivering education sessions to primary children, to name but a few things.
Ruby
Keith
Keith
One our new volunteers, along with her husband Keith. They are willing to help in the kitchen with any jobs!
Keith
Keith
Keith
New to FFF, with his wife, Ruby, Keith is happy to help out where needed
Katie
Rebecca
Katie
Katie is in charge of logistics and the rota, planning it out seamlessly every month so our volunteers know where they need to be and when. Katie's husband Jez, is also a great supporter of FFF, helping out when needed.
Dave
Rebecca
Katie
As a retired technology teacher, Dave is our photographer and go-to when needing logos, images or generally anything IT.
Rebecca
Rebecca
Rebecca
Joining FFF in March 24 as volunteer co-ordinator, Rebecca also supports us with anything admin - policies, letters, emails. Rebecca is also in charge of keeping the website up to date, contacting our families and posting on social media.