Pride in Place Bootle South Neighbourhood Board Members
- Aug 10
- 7 min read
Dave Smith, Chair
Anna Roderick, local business owner
I live and work in Bootle and am passionate about supporting our local community. As the owner and operator of a local tearoom, I have built strong relationships with residents, local organisations, businesses and community groups, giving me a good understanding of the area's strengths, challenges and opportunities.
Born and bred in Bootle, I have spent a long career in the hospitality sector, temporarily following a different path for a few years when I moved into support work, helping young adults with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour, and later providing home care for the elderly before moving abroad. Although very different, both types of work were deeply rewarding in their own ways. After several years working away, I decided that I wanted to return home and I'm so glad I did!
I am proud to live and work in Bootle and welcome the opportunity to help shape a positive future for the area through my membership of the Neighbourhood Board, through which I am committed to representing the interests of the wider Bootle South community.
Carol Lowery, local resident
Chris Lander, local young person
As a committed resident of the Bootle South community, I am dedicated to representing the interests of local people and contributing to decisions that deliver meaningful, long-term improvements. I am passionate about ensuring that investment through the Pride in Place project creates a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable environment for current residents while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. I believe in listening to the community, working collaboratively with others, and helping to shape initiatives that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people they are designed to serve.
Claire Morgans, CEO of Y Kids
I am CEO of Ykids, a children, young people and family charity delivering multiple projects and activities including Kingsley and Co on the high street.
I am passionate the regeneration of Bootle. My roots are squarely here after 24 years and my background is youth and community work in Rochdale, St Paul's Bristol, Rugby and Llandudno.
I have set up a number of social enterprises and love to champion young people, to reach their full potential.
Married with 2 grown up boys, a Christian, author, song-writer and artist. Fun facts: I have been dog sledding in the Arctic, and I am signed by EMI record label.
I am privileged to be part of the Pride in Place board and bring my passion for this community and young people’s voices. Let’s put Bootle back on the map as a place that is full of fun, culture and opportunity.
Jane Dawe, Director of Partnerships at SAFE Regeneration
I have spent over 15 years championing community-led regeneration and empowering local people to shape the future of Bootle.
As Director of Partnerships at SAFE Regeneration, I have helped secure and deliver over £1 million of National Lottery funding through six years of place-based work, followed by a four-year Reaching Communities programme. Currently working to develop the National Lottery's 10-year £100 million Community Power fund - shaping a community-led vision for transformational investment into Bootle over the next decade.
I am also a community leader with the We're Right Here campaign, playing a key role in securing the Community Right to Buy within the English Devolution and Communities Bill, influencing national policy on community power and neighbourhood governance.
As strategic lead for the award-winning Lock & Quay Community Pub and Gardens, I help to create opportunities for local people through events, volunteering and enterprise. As a volunteer Director of Bootle Canoe and Outdoor Club, I deliver inclusive paddlesport opportunities for local residents, including people with visual impairments and neurodivergence, while promoting and caring for the Leeds & Liverpool Canal through regular environmental action. I am a great supporter of the local music scene, co-writer of original musical Born by the River and a third of popular Bootle band, the Hot Tub Hobos.
I believe that our amazing Bootle community should have the power, voice and opportunity to shape the places they call home.
Jim Brett, Chief Executive of The
Independence Initiative
I am Jim Brett, Chief Executive of The Independence Initiative, where I have spent the past 12 years as CEO leading services that support some of Sefton's most disadvantaged residents. With more than 23 years' experience in senior leadership across the voluntary and community sector, I am passionate about strengthening communities, tackling inequality, and ensuring local people have a voice in shaping their neighbourhoods.
Based in the heart of Bootle South, I have worked extensively with residents, charities, and public sector partners to create lasting positive change. I also serve as Chair of Community by Nature and sit on the boards of Sovini Charities, VOLA, and The Florrie, reflecting my long-standing commitment to partnership working and community development.
I have been married to Jan for 30 years, and my son Joe is 21. I am a keen LFC fan too!
Jim Conalty, Councillor for Bootle West
John Billington, Director at Hugh Baird College
John has a strong personal and professional connection to Bootle, having worked in the area for over 30 years. Before joining Hugh Baird College, where he now serves as a Director, he previously worked for a Liverpool-based software house.
Deeply passionate about Sefton and Bootle in particular, John is committed to improving the environment, services, and opportunities for residents, whether they are long-standing members of the community or new to the area. He is keen to enhance the "lot" of those living and working around the College, supporting stronger communities, thriving places, and greater local empowerment.
John brings extensive experience in building strong local partnerships and practical problem-solving. He looks forward to contributing actively to the Board to ensure that local people feel heard and that investment reflects community priorities.
Kate Forbes, CEO of Community By Nature
I'm Kate Forbes (was Jameson) CEO of Community by Nature a Charity and thriving community centre based on Queens Road in the heart of Bootle South. Having worked in the voluntary sector with the fantastic residents of in Bootle South for over 30 years I feel privileged to be on this board and be instrumental in ensuring the local communities here drive the changes and developments they want to improve a place they are typically already proud of.
Margy Robinson, Development Manager at Sefton OPERA
As a local Bootle resident, for the last 35 years I have worked across Sefton in various roles, from children & adults Social Worker, Behaviour Support Worker and Nursery Officer to Neighbourhood Development Officer and SRB programme worker.
I am currently the Development Manager at Sefton OPERA where we support older people and address issues they encounter and help to improve their quality of life, at the same time giving them a voice about issues that affect them.
Within my local area I have also been involved in the community supporting residents to ensure their voices are heard, that issues are raised and improvements made.
I believe that by working together we can make positive change and that by empowering people to be part of that change we can make more and better improvements to our local area.
Pride in Place is about improvements that have longevity and a chance for local people to have a voice in how they see the area improving for everyone. Building stronger communities together, building stronger communities for the future, but recognising that we cannot resolve all of society’s issues at once and that real change takes time.
I am fully committed and look forward to working alongside residents, other Board members, organisations and partners to help make our area an even better place to live, work and grow.
Maria Porter, Councillor for Bootle East
I have lived in Bootle all my life, I and my family live and work in different parts of the borough. I was elected as a Local Councillor for Bootle East ward in May 2024. This is a privileged role, and I am truly grateful to be given the chance to make a difference no matter how big or small.
Anyone who knows me will know I like to chat, offer encouragement to people who may feel marginalised by whatever is happening in their lives at that moment, looking at ways of how to improve, offering support with difficulties they may be facing. I have been given opportunities to enhance my career by opportunities that were put in place i.e. offer of a creche or nursery place, whilst attending college to gain qualifications to help me into employment, this helped me enormously.
I have worked in various roles including the voluntary sector, public and private sector. I was involved in Surestart as a parent volunteer, went onto work in Netherton Children’s Centre as an administrator/receptionist, offering support to families who attended, signposting them to services in the community. I now work as Administrative Officer for Sefton UNISON LG Branch.
I am absolutely made up to be a part of Pride in Place I feel honoured to have a place on the board! I believe this is an amazing opportunity for Bootle.
Mathieu Kapasi, Congolese Association of Merseyside
Rachel Stead, Managing Director for South Sefton Primary Care Network
Hi, I'm Rachel Stead and I work as the Managing Director for South Sefton Primary Care Network. I am based in the Bootle South area and love working in the area. My role means I enjoy working with lots of different organisations to help improve health and wellbeing for local people.
I joined the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board because I care about Bootle and want to support the people and organisations already doing great things in the area. I enjoy bringing people together, listening to different ideas and helping turn those ideas into action.
Outside of work, I am a proud auntie to three fabulous nephews and an unpaid carer. These roles have shown me how important strong communities, kindness and support can be. I am excited to play a part in shaping a positive future for Bootle South.
