Lorraine Gibson
West Northamptonshire,Northamptonshire
Summary
Experienced professional with expertise in community and resident engagement, stakeholder outreach, and inclusive communication strategies. Skilled in project coordination, event delivery, and digital content creation, including video production and editing. Adept at designing accessible questionnaires to address neurodiversity and language barriers, co-producing workshops tailored to diverse audiences, and delivering impactful presentations. Demonstrated success in policy compliance, governance, bid writing, and funding support. Notable achievements include leading a Damp and Mould task group to raise awareness of Awaab’s Law through research and prevention guidance. Committed to fostering multicultural engagement through innovative approaches that prioritise accessibility and inclusivity.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Community Involvement Officer
Greatwell Homes
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
2021.04 - Current
- Founded and continue to lead the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Customer Group, sustaining engagement for over four years and increasing participation from underrepresented communities.
- Facilitate task and finish groups, undertake service research, analyse customer impact and produce detailed reports, working with Heads of Service to monitor implementation and outcomes.
- Design and deliver inclusive engagement programmes, including 10-week family workshops and youth employability sessions, co-producing content based on resident priorities.
- Develop accessible engagement methods, including multilingual and neurodiversity-informed questionnaires, age-appropriate surveys and communication training aligned with UK literacy levels.
- Led thematic initiatives including a Damp and Mould task group (researching Awaab’s Law), co-authored the Hate Crime Policy and developed an Equality Impact Assessment framework.
- Organise and deliver large-scale community initiatives and multi-agency events, coordinating stakeholders including police, fire services, health partners and voluntary organisations.
- Build and maintain partnerships with statutory and community stakeholders, present impact reports to the Board and share best practice nationally.
- Supported achievement of EDI accreditation and delivered blended EDI training to all staff.
- Produce the quarterly customer newsletter and accessible communications materials, including digital and video content to support engagement.
Member Pioneer
The Co-operative
Northamptonshire, East Midlands
2019.02 - 2021.02
- Led local community engagement initiatives to strengthen relationships between the Co-op and local residents.
- Built partnerships with schools, charities and community organisations to support local projects and funding opportunities.
- Managed local grant applications and facilitated distribution of community funding.
- Organised and promoted community events to increase participation and social cohesion.
- Gathered community insight to inform local priorities and support inclusive decision-making.
- Acted as a visible community representative, promoting ethical values and member involvement.
Volunteer Engagement Manager
KCU
Kettering, Northamptonshire
2020.02 - 2021.04
- Coordinated volunteers across community support settings.
- Conducted wellbeing outreach and worked with partner organisations during COVID-19 response.
- Managed recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers across community services and food bank operations.
- Conducted assessments and wellbeing support for vulnerable residents.
- Built local partnerships to strengthen community engagement.
- Implemented health and safety and safeguarding procedures.
- Delivered diversity and inclusion awareness training.
- Supported the mentoring programs for volunteers.
- 2026.03
- Developed and led resident engagement activities across diverse communities, increasing participation and representation.
- Founded and facilitated the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Customer Group, maintaining engagement for over 4 years.
- Supported organisation in achieving EDI accreditation (2025) and ongoing partnership towards LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge.
- Designed and delivered 10-week engagement programmes for tenants (30+ participants), workshops and consultation meetings.
- Adjusted communication approaches for different audiences, including accessible written materials for varying literacy and language needs.
- Produced visual and written content (videos, photos, newsletters) for resident engagement and organisational communications.
- Key achievements:
- Sustained resident group membership and increased community voice
- Recognised with internal and external awards for engagement impact
Education
Degree - Post Production & Television Operations
Ravensbourne University
London 2001.09 - 2004.05
Foundation Degree in Communications. - HND in Film Post Production & Editing – Distinction. Post production & communication - Degree - Meri
Ravensbourne Collage of Design & Communication.
London 2001.09 - 2005.05
Skills
- Community & Resident Engagement
- Stakeholder Outreach & Relationship Management
- Inclusive Communication & Accessibility
- Project Coordination & Event Delivery
- Data Collection & Reporting
- Digital Content (Video, Photography, Editing)
- Workshop & Presentation Delivery
- Policy, Governance & Compliance
- Bid Writing & Funding Support
- Multicultural & Multilingual Engagement
- *Design accessible questionnaires, considering neurodiversity and language barriers, providing multiple language options to maximize participation
*Co-produce workshop topics with customers based on their priorities, such as interview skills for young people aged 15–17
*Led an Damp and Mold task group, researching Awaab’s Law and sharing prevention guidance and case outcomes to raise awareness
Certification
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Training
- Autism & Vulnerable Persons Engagement Training
- Project Management Fundamentals
- Bid Writing & Community Funding Workshops
- Neurodiversity Training – Imperial College London
Awards & Recognition
Businesswoman of the Year – Community Links – community leadership category.
Award for Community Engagement Impact (tenant workshops), Additional organisational recognition for Community contributions with three awards at Greatwell Homes.
Newspaper articles for my work regarding Equality Diversity & Inclusion.
Shared my customer engagement videos on the national platform at the Housing Diversity Network.
Additional supporting information
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Strong digital communication skills: Final Cut Pro, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office
- Fluent community engagement with culturally diverse groups
Accomplishments
I have maintained an 'Excellent' rating for the past four years in my appraisal.
I have also received two awards and one certificate during my time at Greatwell Homes. and a further three awards in London, including community contribution and business woman of the year, based on my work on a community magazine.
My work has been shared nationally in partnership with the Housing Diversity Network.
Affiliations
- n my spare time, I enjoy creative projects such as candle making and upcycling lampshades, and I am a keen theatre enthusiast. I am also a lifelong animal lover, having previously owned dogs, and would love to become the proud owner of a Maine Coon cat in the future.
Timeline
Community Involvement Officer
Greatwell Homes
2021.04 - Current
Volunteer Engagement Manager
KCU
2020.02 - 2021.04
Member Pioneer
The Co-operative
2019.02 - 2021.02
Degree - Post Production & Television Operations
Ravensbourne University
2001.09 - 2004.05
Foundation Degree in Communications. - HND in Film Post Production & Editing – Distinction. Post production & communication - Degree - Meri
Ravensbourne Collage of Design & Communication.
2001.09 - 2005.05
- 2026.03