Pride in Place - meet the team

Pride in Place is shaped by local people, with support from council and national partners. Everyone involved shares a commitment to listening to residents and working together to make real, positive changes in Woodside, Sutton Hill and Brookside.

This page will grow as the programme develops and more people join the team.

Revd Prebendary Jo Farnworth - Independent Chair

Jo brings more than 27 years' experience supporting communities facing significant social and economic challenges.

Currently serving as a vicar in Telford, and previously in Greater Manchester, Jo has built a strong track record in partnership-led community regeneration. Her work has focused on strengthening residents' voices, encouraging collaboration between statutory agencies, voluntary groups and local organisations, and helping communities develop practical responses to the issues that matter most to them.

The voluntary role as Chair reflects her professional experience, personal values and deep commitment to Telford, where she lives, works and serves. She believes that lasting change happens when residents are genuinely listened to and treated as partners in shaping their future.

Jo is looking forward to working with local people, board members and partner organisations to help build stronger, healthier and more hopeful neighbourhoods. She is committed to ensuring that the programme delivers meaningful, long-term benefits for the communities it is designed to support.

Shaun Davies MP - Board Member 

Shaun Davies is the Member of Parliament for Telford and is passionate about making Telford an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Pride in Place is about putting local people at the heart of improving their communities. Shaun successfully campaigned for Government investment to bring the programme to Telford and continues to work with local partners and residents to help make sure the funding delivers real benefits.

He believes the best ideas come from the people who know their communities best. That's why he's committed to listening to residents, supporting local organisations and helping create opportunities that make a lasting difference.

Shaun wants Pride in Place to leave a positive legacy that future generations can be proud of.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability at Telford & Wrekin Council - Board Member

Councillor Healy plays an important role in supporting the Pride in Place Programme, drawing on the Council's extensive knowledge, experience and resources to help the board and its partners turn local priorities into action. Working closely with the independent board, residents and partner organisations, she supports the delivery of projects shaped by the needs and aspirations of local communities.

Carolyn is passionate about empowering communities and ensuring residents have a strong voice in shaping the future of their neighbourhoods. Her involvement in Pride in Place reflects a commitment to supporting resident-led change, tackling inequality and helping create places where people are proud to live. She is keen to ensure that the programme remains rooted in local priorities, with communities at the heart of decision-making.

Sarah Underhill - Programme Lead

Sarah’s role is to support the delivery of a community-led neighbourhood renewal programme across Woodside, Brookside and Sutton Hill.

Working closely with residents, board members, partners and stakeholders, Sarah is responsible for helping turn local ideas into action and ensuring that projects deliver lasting, meaningful benefits for the community.

Sarah has more than 30 years' experience working in communities facing social and economic challenges across the Midlands, with a strong focus on community engagement and development. She brings a practical and collaborative approach to the role, ensuring that local voices are heard and valued throughout the decision-making process.

Sarah firmly believes that residents are the experts in their own communities and that lasting change happens when people are empowered to shape and lead that change themselves.

Local residents are at the heart of Pride in Place.

The programme is designed so that decisions are shaped by people who live or work in Woodside, Sutton Hill and Brookside, and who understand the day to day realities of those places.

Resident representation explained

• Residents make up the majority of the Neighbourhood Board (nominations for board members is now closed and details are soon to be announced) 
  At least 51 per cent of Board members live or work locally, ensuring that community voices are not outnumbered by organisations or officials.
  
  
• Local sub groups feed directly into decisions
  There are local groups for Woodside, Sutton Hill and Brookside. These groups bring together residents and community voices to share ideas, raise issues and help shape priorities for their area.

• Community voices are nominated, not appointed behind closed doors
  Local people have been nominating themselves or someone they trust to represent their community. You don’t need formal experience - local knowledge, trust and commitment matter most. Nominations are now closed and an announcement will be made soon about the new members.
  
  
• Residents influence priorities from the start
  This isn’t about being consulted after decisions are made. Residents help set priorities early on and continue to shape the programme as it develops.

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Resident representatives help:

• identify what really matters locally
• influence how funding is used
• challenge decisions where needed
• keep the programme grounded in lived experience.

The Independent Chair helps make sure all voices are heard fairly, and the Council supports the process to ensure decisions are transparent and funding is managed properly.

If you live or work in Woodside, Sutton Hill or Brookside, there are lots of ways to take part - from sharing ideas locally to putting yourself forward as a community voice.

View information on how to get involved with Pride in Place.