When I joined MVDA ten years ago, I never imagined I’d still be here a decade later. Coming from a small charity in Whitby, where redundancy warnings were frequent, I didn’t see the voluntary sector as a place where you could build a stable, long-term career without moving organisations. At 27, the longest job I had ever held was four years and at the time, that felt like an achievement. Fast forward ten years, and I’m proud to say MVDA has completely reshaped that perspective.
My journey has been one of constant growth and change. I started out delivering volunteer development for the Ageing Better Middlesbrough project, before managing Community Connect, a partnership with Middlesbrough Citizens Advice and Carers Together, delivering social prescribing through Adult Social Care. I went on to develop We Care You Care, an initiative providing information and support for unpaid carers – a project I still lead today. Alongside this, my role has expanded to cover wider communications and development work for MVDA, including interim communications for both our Enhance Redcar and Cleveland service and MVDA’s core offer.
Each of these opportunities has deepened my understanding of the sector and helped me develop skills I never anticipated, particularly in communications and marketing. Of all the projects I’ve been part of, We Care You Care stands out. When I first took it on, all I had was a name, some branding, and initial funding for Middlesbrough. Working closely with the sector, wider partners and carers themselves, we have built a robust, responsive service – expanding it into Redcar and Cleveland, securing further funding, and bringing in a second part-time team member. Hearing directly from carers about how access to the right information and signposting can transform their wellbeing makes every challenge worthwhile.
My time at MVDA has also reinforced my belief in the strength of our local voluntary and community sector (VCS). The team here is incredibly passionate, skilled and collaborative, not only delivering their own work but supporting one another and the wider sector. The VCS faces real challenges: resources are often stretched, and system change takes time. But it is also a sector defined by resilience, innovation and genuine care for the communities it serves.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to remain open to opportunities and to believe in your own potential, even when it feels daunting. I didn’t initially feel ready to lead We Care You Care, but with the trust and support of our CEO and the team, I took the leap and grew with the opportunity.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me over the past decade – my colleagues, our partners, and the local people who inspire our work every day. Here’s to the next chapter: for me, for MVDA, and for the incredible VCS we are proud to champion.
Find out more about MVDA and our work
Kelly Hodgson
MVDA
We Care You Care Project Lead