Jody Poole

Through my work as a Youth Project Coordinator at the Youth Association, delivering detached street‑based youth work, I see first‑hand how strategic, well‑targeted funding enables charities and community organisations to respond to local need and create meaningful impact. I wanted to become a Trustee at Prosper because I believe strongly in its core purpose of improving lives across the Wakefield district through grant‑making.

At the Youth Association, I lead the StreetSafe and Positive Masculinity programmes, working with young people at street level and within colleges, often in communities where other services have limited reach. This includes providing wrap‑around support, amplifying young people’s voices, and addressing issues such as crime, exploitation and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). This frontline experience highlighted to me the importance of clear strategic priorities in guiding decision‑making and ensuring resources are focused where they can deliver the greatest benefit.

My motivation for becoming a Trustee at Prosper was to bring this lived, community‑based insight into Prosper’s governance and decision‑making, helping to ensure its grants remain aligned with its strategic priorities, responsive to local challenges, and focused on improving lives across Wakefield.