Meet the team

Name: Charlotte McKeown
Position: Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Skipton Step into Action (SSIA) was born from the community response to the Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020, supporting vulnerable and elderly people access essential supplies of food and medication.

We registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in January 2021, and were appointed as a Community Support Organisation for Skipton and South Craven in April 2021. Since inception, our activities and services have organically evolved, providing essential services and engaging, inclusive community projects. ‘Connection’ is at the core of everything we do because connection gives purpose and meaning to our lives.

We facilitate community-led solutions, focusing on supporting local citizens (friends of SSIA) to build resources and solutions. I consider all aspects of what we do as a Charity through an Asset-Based Community Development approach; Identifying and embracing local assets, including the skills, gifts and talents of local people. My ambition is to build on this, and encourage people to share their passions, creating a ‘ripple’ effect across the community so citizens feel proud to live in a connected and vibrant community.

My desire to support others can be traced back to my long-term teaching career; Encouraging, motivating and empowering students to fulfil their potential. As Curriculum Co-ordinator, I was responsible for implementing and maintaining quality assurance measures.

In my spare time, I really enjoy strength training at the gym, hiking and unwinding in the swimming pool.

Name: Teri Gribbin
Position: Volunteer & Marketing Coordinator

I live in Skipton with my partner, my son Oliver and our cat, Margot. I joined Skipton Step Into Action as a volunteer around the time of its inception during the pandemic in 2020. I have loved being part of the evolution of this wonderful charity and having the chance to make a difference in my community. I started my role as Volunteer Coordinator in 2022, which extended into Activity Coordinator also later that year. My role is dynamic and exciting; I’ve enjoyed seeing the staff team grow and the way we share our strengths to pull together as a team.

Alongside my work for the charity, I have been studying towards my degree and graduated with First-class Honours in Philosophy and Psychological Studies during the summer of 2022. In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my son, reading and anything creative!

Name: Caroline Jolliffe
Position: Operations Administrator

I joined SSIA in March 2022 as I was seeking a part-time community-based role and loved the ethos and how SSIA supported the Skipton and South Craven Community.
I have been privileged to work in my local community for 12 years teaching at Craven College and 3 years at Townhead Surgery in the reception and management teams. Prior to that I worked in various sales management roles in the corporate world of British and International Hotel sales.

In my spare time, I love cooking, socialising and taking advantage of our beautiful local countryside, through walking with friends and family especially if they have dogs, who I love to kidnap/adopt/borrow at any available opportunity.

Name: Kevin Allen
Position: Transport Co-ordinator

Having retired at the end of 2021 from a 40+ year career in the logistics industry,  I felt the time was right for a new challenge and in January 2023 joined Skipton Step Into Action to assist in establishing a new Volunteer led Car journey scheme for the Skipton and South Craven community.

This role has allowed me to use my years of organisation and management experience and I am pleased to say the scheme was fully established at the beginning of February.

We have recently expanded the scheme with the purchase of a Wheelchair Accessible Minibus to further support local people in attending Health and Hospital appointments and in the near future we hope to be able to offer shopping and more social trips.

In my spare time I enjoy socialising with friends and visiting with my family particularly a very boisterous 4-year-old grandson who keeps me on the ball. I am also a supporter of Chelsea F.C. which in itself has been a challenge recently but there is always next season!!

Name: Hayley Stockwell
Position: Wellbeing Cafe Project Coordinator

I started volunteering at the Wellbeing Cafe because SSIA’s commitment to connecting and serving the local community resonated deeply with me. When I was offered the opportunity to become Project Coordinator at the Cafe & Hub it felt like a natural next step. I’m thrilled to be part of a team that plays such an important role in enhancing and enriching the lives of so many.

In my diverse career, I’ve worked in various roles, mostly in the financial services sector and more recently as a transcriptionist. Beyond work hours, I enjoy baking, indulging in a good read, practising Gi-Gong, and discovering this beautiful part of North Yorkshire.

Name: Sarah Wilson
Position: Nurturing Growth Coordinator and Key Worker

I joined SSIA in March 2020 during the pandemic and I have had lots of different roles within the charity; one of which was to help run the first project Ground Yourself in Green in Aireville Park.

I am now working as the Nurturing Growth Project Coordinator, bringing people together for group activities, and as an Anchor Links coordinator with local care homes working to bring the community links into care settings.

I thoroughly enjoy bringing the community together and also love to continue my volunteering work as a befriender making phone calls and visiting people in their homes.

Name: Netta Hollings
Position: Referrals Coordinator

I am widowed with three grown-up children and two grandchildren. I have lived in Skipton since 1988 (so still an offcumden). Retired in 2019 from 30+ years of NHS data and stats.

I started working for Skipton Step Into Action in April 2024 as Referral Coordinator.  I answer the phones, look after the Support email and keep our database up to date.  I also find volunteers for support requests.

In my spare time, I volunteer with 3rd Skipton Scouts, Aireworth Dogs in Need and St Andrews Wellbeing Cafe.  I volunteered for Skipton Step Into Action before they decided to employ me! I also knit, am a member of a book group and love live music.

I enjoy Skipton Step Into Action because, to quote Blur, it gives me a sense of enormous well being.

Name: Jane Bentley
Position: Referrals Coordinator

I joined SSIA in April 2021 after taking early retirement during the pandemic to become my husband’s full-time carer.

My role allows me to still be at home whilst giving something back to the local community. It allows me to use the skills I gained in my previous role managing a team for 10 years looking after vulnerable customers.

In my spare time I love pottering in my garden, trying to grow fruit and vegetables, with a modicum of success, along with my newfound relaxation of listening to audio books.

Name: Emma Nicholson
Position:Community Health Connector (Core20PLUS5) – Greatwood & Horseclose and Broughton Road

I live on the Greatwood and Horseclose Estate in Skipton. I have been on this Estate most of my life, and I am on the board of trustees of the Greatwood and Horseclose Residents Association Charity.

I have had various roles within the community from volunteering to running a business and have experience working with a range of age groups.

SSIA provides several services that make a difference to people. I am privileged to now be a part of that amazing team. I am the Community Health Connector for Greatwood and Horseclose Estate. This role involves engaging with the community, getting to know people, developing trusted relationships, in order to be able to signpost people to the correct services to enhance people’s health and wellbeing.

With a listening ear, care, compassion, respect and encouragement I will support this community along the way and give 100%.

I am a mum of 5 – a son and four daughters – my youngest being 5 and my oldest being 25, I have two dogs and a baby grandson who is very special to me. In my spare’ time I enjoy socialising with family and friends, watching live bands, reading and learning new things.

Name: Joanna Mitchell
Position:Project Coordinator (CORE20PLUS5)

I started volunteering with SSIA at the Nurturing Growth project as I wanted to be involved with my local community. I am very pleased to now be working with SSIA in a project looking at how health inequalities might be addressed in the local area. This role seeks to understand and support individuals and communities in improving their health and wellbeing.

My background was in community dentistry but my particular interest is in increasing the opportunities for everyone to improve their health and wellbeing. Studying public health has given me insight into the role of social inequalities and how to ensure people are involved with their own health.

In my spare time I enjoy outdoor pursuits, especially climbing and walking, and play for my local rounders team.