This section is a 'Who's Who' of the people involved on a regular basis. For information about people involved in running the festival see the Umbrella Fair Festival section.
Membership of the UFO Co-ordination Group is open to anyone who has an interest in our work (non-members do not have voting rights within the organisation). The group meets every Monday night at the Pavilion and are responsible for moving the work of the whole of the organisation on.
Ian Bates
Project Co-ordinator
A founder member of the project, Ian's main job is to plan the work of UFO. Born and raised in the area, Ian is passionate about developing a stronger local community that cares about each other and the environment and is, in his own words, "inspired by the people and the vision and values of UFO.
Ian also functions as Treasurer for the organisation.
Mel Rogers
Performance Co-ordinator/Cafe Co-ordinator
Mel first became involved with the Umbrella Fair through her work as a musician and youth worker and was the first person to run the youth stage. She finds the UFO provides a supportive network for expression of her creative ideas and a chance to make an ongoing, positive difference to the community.
The UFO Pavilion Team are our paid members of staff. They have the responsibility of getting the Pavilion Project up and running, including raising the funding required for the full refurbishment (£ 350,000-500,00). Each member of the team works one day a week and collectively they cover the pavilion rota Monday-Saturday.
Project Co-ordinator & Fundraiser - Ian Bates
The Project Co-ordinator is essentially the team leader. Ian is responsible for creating a Business Plan which identifies targets and milestones for achieving the project objectives and ensuring that each member of the team has and achieves individual targets aligned with the project aim.
The Fundraiser is responsible for creating a strategy which achieves the target of raisin £500,000 within one year, including obtaining funding for the organisation to continue its work throughout the fundraising period. The strategy will need to encompass the best practice and be designed to maximise the fundraising potential of all aspects of the organisation
Activities Co-ordinator - Sarah Terry
Sarah's role is to shape the activities at the Pavillion. creating opportunities and supporting volunteers to carry out the activities. She works closely with the Volunteer Co-ordinator will work very closely together.
Since her teens, Sarah has worked actively on projects that raised voices for the most vulnerable within the community, working with a range of youth groups and projects. Alongside this she has worked in the community art sector through grassroots arts activities and events, with a focus on visual art and drama-based activities.
Communication & Community Engagement Co-ordinator - Mel Rogers
Mel writes and implements communication plans which ensure that both the local and wider community are fully aware of the work of UFO and seeks to develop engagement with the local community, encouraging support for the work of UFO and growing the involvement of local people.
Volunteering Co-ordinator - Richard Powell
Richard takes charge of volunteer recruitment, induction, support and retention. Working closely with the Activities Co-ordinator and other team members, he ensures that adequate and suitable volunteers are recruited and engaged to cover all the activities of the organisation, specifically those at the Pavilion.
Currently vacant