WHO WE ARE
MANAGEMENT BOARD / TEAM
Beki Winter - Chair
Accredited community led housing advisor, Housing Enabler at Housing Justice and previous experience running services to support rough sleepers in Central London.
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING
Beki founded the CLT after her work in community led housing helped her see how important it is for communities to influence the housing developments that surround them – ensuring community needs and sustainability are prioritised over profit. Having previously worked in homelessness, Beki is motivated by the desire to ensure everyone has a safe, affordable and sustainable home.
Patricia Gibson - Secretary
A former teacher now working for an advocacy charity based in Cumbria.
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING
Pat has worked for many years with people with autism and learning disabilities and looks to represent their views in creating inclusive housing within the community.
Dan Birch - Treasurer
Dan is a financial planner working for a local firm. He lives in Kendal with his fiancé and daughter and has been here for over 10 years.
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING
Dan is frustrated by continually seeing large family homes in Kendal, getting purchased by the older, retired generation because they are the only ones who can afford them. “There are new developments at almost every corner of town and yet most of the larger properties will be £400,000 plus which is out of the price bracket of so many families.” Dan joined KCLT to help create affordable family homes.
Charlotte Russell
Experienced commercial and residential property solicitor.
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING
Charlotte has been looking for something in her hometown to get involved with and wanted it to be something that she also felt strongly about and passionate towards. Charlotte was born and bred in Kendal, with family roots in the town’s construction industry, and is now a property solicitor. Charlotte hopes that her personal experience of growing up in Kendal, alongside her professional expertise, can help the town find viable solutions to its housing issues and create affordable housing in the area.
Fiona Clark
Kendal resident 20+ years.
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING
“There is a chronic shortage of affordable housing in South Lakeland with young people and families unable to afford a home. The CLTs work aims to help by providing affordable homes which have a lower carbon footprint and reduced energy than those on the market which will also help with affordability.” By being involved with the CLT, Fiona hopes to support new affordable housing.
Helen Ladhams
Experienced Consultant Private Client Solicitor, Local Councillor, Trustee of Outside In Cumbria, Director of Torchlight and my own company.
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING
“There is an acute need for affordable housing in this area. Many house prices are out of reach of local people. These houses also need to be well insulated with environmental credentials that prevent fuel poverty.” Helen is also keen on increasing biodiversity, supporting the growth of community gardens and allotments as well as keeping cars away from houses and children playing. Helen believes that all aspects of future homes should address these concerns and if we can achieve some of this it will go some way to building and supporting communities.
Heather Thomson
Architectural Technologist for over 30 years; has worked with Local Authorities and private companies. In 2015, set up her own architectural practice working on a large variety of projects.
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING
Heather has been involved with providing social housing in and around Kendal over the last 30 years. In that time she has seen how Kendal is changing and how difficult it is for people on lower incomes to be able to live in the town, she hears people describe a feeling of being pushed out of their town. Heather has got involved with KCLT to make a difference to people’s lives and allow them to stay in the town they grew up in.
Martha Shields
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING
“Creating homes, places and spaces for everyone is at the core of what I do. Having grown up in rural Cumbria and having moved to Kendal latterly, I’ve experienced first-hand how the lack of decent, affordable homes impacts our communities.” Martha see’s joining KCLT as an exciting opportunity to be part of a community led organisation that aims to do something about this housing crisis.
ALL DOCUMENTATION
Please find our policies and reports below, available to download and read.
Vision and Aims [PDF Download] »
Sustainability Statement [PDF Download] »
