Meet the people
who run KCU
Based in rooms at the Fuller Baptist Church in Kettering, next to Boots on Gold Street, is the headquarters of KCU.
A small and dedicated management team run all aspects of KCU with the help of the volunteer ambassadors and general volunteers.
They are overseen by the Board of Trustees but on a day to to day basis this small office is the hub that keeps KCU going !
The main office where everything
is always under control !
Our Team - Full time staff
Sylvia McLevy
sylvia.mclevy@kcultd.org.uk
Sylvia is the Chief Executive Officer and leads the organisation’s strategic direction, operations, and overall performance. She works closely with the board, staff, and partners to ensure the organisation delivers meaningful impact and remains aligned with its Mission and Principles.
She holds a master’s degree in Youth, Community, and Leadership, which underpins her commitment to inclusive leadership, community development, and empowering those who seek support. With a strong focus on collaboration and sustainability, Sylvia has worked at KCU for over 9 years progressing from Project Manager to Director, she brings experienced leadership and a people-centred approach to driving long-term organisational success and value of investment.
Renee Roux
renee.roux@kcultd.org.uk
Renee is the Office & Finance Manager, overseeing the day-to-day finances for all projects and running costs, maintaining efficient, seamless administrative operations while organising and managing education and training courses for KCU.
She ensures accurate financial records and regulatory compliance while effectively managing multiple project spreadsheets to maintain oversight and financial control holding a Pitman International Certificate Level 3.
Renee, applies strong organisational skills to increase student participation across multiple courses, fostering an inclusive and welcoming learning environment.
As part of a well-organised organisation under the leadership of the current KCU CEO, Renee brings over 20 years of experience in managing the day-to-day financial operations (Pitman International Certificate Level 3) and supports the effective and compliant delivery of the Education and Training environment.
Vanessa Bojang
vanessa.camara@kcultd.org.uk
Vanessa is the Volunteer Engagement Manager at KCU, bringing over 20 years of experience in charity retail to her role. She works on the ground every day, supporting KCU volunteers across the organisation, whether that’s in one of the shops, the foodbank, or out at events.
A big part of Vanessa’s role is helping volunteers see the opportunities available to them at KCU, talking through the progression and skills they can gain as part of the team. She provides hands-on support, either by organising peer support groups or working one-to-one with volunteers who may need a little extra help to settle into their role.
Support can last up to 12 weeks, with the option to move into longer-term support through a volunteer mentor. Vanessa is passionate about making sure every volunteer feels welcomed, valued, and confident in their journey with KCU.
Simon Cox
Simon is the Community Support and Signposting Officer and the friendly face of KCU’s town centre community support space. He offers a warm, inclusive and non judgemental welcome, a cup of tea and a listening ear, and holds one to one conversations to understand what people need. He then helps them get to the right support, whether that is debt and benefits advice, housing, mental health and wellbeing services or other local help.
Simon also works closely with partner organisations and community groups, coordinates specialist drop ins, workshops and wellbeing sessions, and supports our dignity and inclusion space, helping people access reusable household goods and furniture. Simon is also a KCU trustee.
Lucy Crane
Emily-Jane Dale
Emily-Jane, affectionately known as Auntie Em, is our Foodbank Support Officer. She supports the Kettering and District foodbank network in partnership with Trussell, helping partners with the practical and strategic side of running their foodbanks and working to reduce the need for repeat visits.
She brings a wealth of experience in hospitality, community engagement and supporting vulnerable people. A trained chef with a First Class Honours degree in Future Food and Culinary Management, she is also the founder of Auntie’s Cookery Academy, a charity helping vulnerable young people develop essential life skills. Passionate about people and community, Em believes everyone deserves to feel supported, valued and empowered to reach their potential.
Lucy is a student counsellor at KCU and is passionate about creating a warm, welcoming and non judgemental space where people can feel comfortable being themselves and talking openly about whatever is important to them. With a professional background in education and health and social care, she has extensive experience supporting people from a variety of backgrounds and understands the importance of feeling heard, valued and accepted.
Lucy has completed Levels 2 and 3 in Counselling Skills and a Postgraduate Certificate at Level 7, and is currently undertaking a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling to further develop her practical skills and gain additional face to face counselling experience. Her approach is warm, down to earth and person centred, allowing people to explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace, without judgement or pressure.
Steve Rogers
Steve first joined KCU as a volunteer, quickly becoming a friendly and reliable part of the team.
He worked hard to support KCU’s mission, helping with deliveries of food parcels to our partners and the collection of food donations from the generous local community.
He also assists collecting and delivering low cost furniture from our household store and assisting in the shop, meeting and serving the amazing customers.
When a job opportunity for a sales assistant arose, he applied and was delighted to be successful.
Now, as a staff member, he continues to bring the same positivity and dedication, helping to strengthen the welcoming, community focused atmosphere that KCU is known for.
Ben Jameson
Ben manages our weekly deliveries and collections for the foodbank, delivering supplies to our foodbank partners and collecting donations. His role is vital in ensuring our partners have what they need to provide emergency food support to the community.
By keeping food moving where it’s needed most, Ben plays a key part in enabling direct support for our partners and helping them respond quickly and effectively to people facing food insecurity.
The Volunteers
The most important people throughout the whole KCU operation are the volunteers who give up their time to help the people who come to KCU in need of help.
We could not operate without their dedication to the cause.
At different times of the year we could have up to 70 volunteers working for us and helping.
Throughout this year, we are celebrating and thanking our volunteers with monthly events in recognition of their dedication and commitment. This has been made possible through funding from the Northamptonshire Community Foundation via the JKLM Foundation Fund, supporting KCU Volunteering. Their generous support allows us to bring volunteers together, celebrate their achievements, and thank them for the difference they make every day.
KCU are very lucky to have a great team that keep all of the wheels well oiled and operation working 24/7 ensuring that we are always on hand to help those in need.