Joanne Bartlett

Background

About Joanne Bartlett

A Social Business advisor working for The Wales Co-operative Centre in Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and RCT. My role is to advise those who are starting out in Social Business, helping them to understand Legal Structures, Director roles and responsibilities, develop a business plan and incorporate the business with either Companies House or the Charities Commission. Previously worked on the Care to Co-operate project as an advisor engaging citizens in activities that help them to develop and influence health, social care and wellbeing services through voice and control and providing them with co-operative business advice. I am one of the Co-founders of ‘3 Valleys Manufacturing Ltd’ Social Enterprise, a company that secured low level skilled production contracts to run employ-ability initiatives for adults who were entrenched in worklessness. We collaborated with the Job Centre and local businesses to deliver contracts and offer supported volunteering and employment on a ‘Learn to Work' programme. Over Twenty years’ experience working on engagement and research projects with the poorest communities in Wales, supporting disengaged adults and young people to improve their chances and gain employment. I have been responsible for the success of obtaining over in funding for the third sector. Previously employed by the Co-op as a Communities First Cluster Manager I was responsible for managing the delivery of an anti-poverty Welsh Government programme, and a team of staff and volunteers delivering bespoke activities in Health, Learning, Youth and Prosperity. Qualified in Health and Social Care and Youth & Community Work, with a keen interest in the design and development of co-operative solutions.