"It's raining and I'm cold. I don't have anywhere to go. Can you help?" Lara, 15
New appointments at Get Connected
Get Connected has appointed Helen Wood as its new Head of Marketing and Communications. This appointment follows the arrival at Get Connected of Fiona Clark as Interim Chief Executive.
Fiona joined the charity in April having been CEO of Earthrace, the ‘green’ boat which in June 2008 set a new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe. Earthrace generated $1.5m in sponsorship and an online audience of 40 million.
Helen joins Get Connected with a background in media, PR and marketing at IMG Media, UEFA and Premier League football clubs Chelsea and Portsmouth. Most recently Helen was Head of Communications at Bolton Wanderers where she developed a new communications, CSR and charity strategy for the business.
At Get Connected, Helen will be tasked with raising awareness of the service to future helpline users and other key audiences across the UK including potential volunteers and donors. Helen will implement a creative marketing strategy to coincide with the charity's ten-year anniversary this year.
Speaking about her new role, Helen said:
“I am really excited about embarking on this change of direction and fresh challenge in the third sector. Get Connected struck me as being a really important service for young people and I am already fully aware of the increasing demand for this confidential, free, signposting helpline among young people up to the age of 25.
“Having worked with many sport organizations and individuals, I have seen at first hand the power of sport to raise awareness and harness support for good causes. I have become increasingly interested in community and young people’s issues over recent years having facilitated some of the beneficial charitable projects carried out by Premier League football clubs in these areas. It now feels right for my career to focus entirely on the third sector with Get Connected and work towards achieving its worthwhile objectives.”
Fiona Clark added:
“For ten years, Get Connected has been providing a unique and essential service for young people across the UK. With the continued support of Carphone Warehouse, combined with Helen’s communications expertise in the sporting world, we plan to promote the service even more widely and double the number of young people we are able to support over the next two years. In September, we will be announcing our Get Connected Ambassadors and a major new online initiative. Our 10th anniversary is an opportunity for us to celebrate a small charity’s big achievements and engage support from all our stakeholders for the next ten years.”