Abbey People CIO has scooped up Nicky Shepard, former communications consultant, as CEO. Over the last few months, things have been moving fast for the charity, with its workers and volunteers at the heart of the COVID response in Abbey, the most deprived ward in Cambridge, amongst the top 20% most deprived nationally.
Abbey People has worked for more than 7 years supporting local people, through many programmes and projects, including opening the first community Food Hub during lockdown, which continues to be open, serving 30-40 families a week and helping to signpost people to other services to support them.
Stuart Wood, Treasurer and acting Chair of Abbey People explained why the role was needed,
“in the last year we’ve seen need in our area become much, much more acute, and expect this need to increase as the effects of COVID really start to bite locally. This has meant that our organisation has had to grow quickly, meaning that a CEO was desperately needed.”
Nicky Shepard has joined Abbey People, bringing experience within both the private and public sector.
Nicky commented,
“I am really excited to have joined Abbey People as CEO. Having worked for Abbey People five years ago, and as a local resident, the charity has always been close to my heart. There are so many people struggling in Abbey, now more than ever the area needs a strong organisation to advocate for the area. It is an honour to have come full circle and to be back with Abbey People, now leading the team as we go into the future.”
