Two members of the Community Gateway team shortlisted for Leading Wales Awards

Community Gateway Project Manager Lynne Thomas and Partnerships Manager Ali Abdi have been shortlisted in the upcoming Leading Wales Awards.

Lynne has worked on the Community Gateway project since 2015 and has been an integral part of its success. Alongside managing the Community Gateway project, she is also founder of the hyperlocal news service Inksplott and co-founder of the resident volunteer group Keep Splott Tidy. Lynne has been nominated and shortlisted in the 'Women in Leadership' category. When asked about her proudest moments Lynne said:

"My role with Community Gateway enables me to help people bring their ideas to life; I support projects from conception through development and delivery.  It is a privilege to enable and empower others to achievements which benefit themselves and the wider community.  My proudest moments were leading a £1.5m fundraising campaign to redevelop Grange Pavilion into an inclusive and accessible community-led centre and encouraging residents to establish a charitable governing body."

Partnerships Manager, Ali Abdi has been nominated in the 'Leadership in Diversity & Inclusion' category. His work on the Community Gateway project has resulted in the creation of a Grange Pavilion Youth Forum:

"Establishing the Grange Pavilion Youth Forum where I regularly bring young people together and in contact with Cardiff University, academics, students and events is something that I am really proud of. For as long as I can remember I’ve been passionate about having a positive influence upon young people and developing them to become active citizens and leaders. Growing up I had good role models in my life that kept me on a positive path.  I recognise today’s youth do not have those same role models and as such I’ve stepped up to be that leader that they can aspire to."

The Leading Wales Awards were developed by a consortium of professional institutes, voluntary and public sector bodies as well as private companies. The Awards seek to identify, recognise and celebrate personal achievement in outstanding leadership in Wales.

The next Leading Wales Awards ceremony takes place in September 2019 at The Hilton Hotel in Cardiff - we wish them both the best of luck!