After 34 incredible years driving National Communities Resource Centre (NCRC), Anne Power CBE, has made the decision to step down from her role as Chair of Trustees.
Anne has had an illustrious career in housing and communities spanning the UK, Europe and the United States. When she co-founded NCRC in 1991, the charity’s first focus was on empowering residents to play an active role in their communities and helping them use their voices and skills to create positive change. Over the years, the scope widened, with the charity starting to deliver transformative programmes at its home at Trafford Hall in Cheshire, to inspire young people and provide essential support for families under pressure.
Anne has since shaped and supported the organisation to provide training and opportunities to thousands of people across the UK. Since NCRC began its work, training has been provided for more than 40,000 residents, including young people, families, and housing staff. From free residential programmes for young people to explore green careers to the Housing Plus Academy, bringing people together from across the housing world, including social housing, its staff, tenants and customers, to take part in knowledge exchange and participative learning. 2,500 community projects have been initiated or extended through the charity’s training and small grants programmes creating positive impact in communities with a social value of approximately £8m. Throughout her 34 years at NCRC, Anne has championed making NCRC a place where people and great ideas grow.
Reflecting on her tenure at NCRC, Anne shared;
“The greatest achievement is simply NCRC being there and providing training for lots of tenants and frontline housing staff. A further achievement is that we were able to save a beautiful, historic building in Trafford Hall, and bring it into use. We transformed it into an example of how to apply environmental measures to a historic, listed building. Even when there were lows, things would turn to a high. When NCRC faced serious financial challenges between 2019 and 2020, we were able to secure its future and keep alive its mission to empower communities.”
Lesley Burrows, Managing Director of NCRC said:
“It has been wonderful to work with Anne since NCRC joined The Regenda Group. Her passion for community is unwavering and we have so much to thank her for. Such dedication is rare and I hope to continue her legacy, through the delivery of our programmes, for many years to come.”
From all of the staff, partners and beneficiaries of NCRC – thank you. For your vision, determination and belief that everyone has the power to make positive change.
