Kirklees uses citizen engagement and citizen volunteerism to address a range of issues throughout the city. The city operates programs that address the needs of young people (Independent Visitors and Family Support Volunteers); of older people (Physical Activity Volunteers, Out and About, and Care Home Befrienders); that help the environment (Oakwell Country Park Volunteers and Countryside Volunteers); that help communities thrive (Reading Friends Volunteers, Museums & Galleries Volunteers, and Library Volunteers); and that support health (Auntie Pam’s and Walk Leaders).
In addition, the city’s unique Happy Hour volunteer program offers opportunities that range from ten minutes of time to several hours, helping busy citizens to still make a meaningful impact through service.
Kirklees has been a member of the Cities of Service coalition since 2014.
Councillor Nosheen Dad
Councillor Nosheen Dad was first Elected in 2015 for the Dewsbury South ward where she has lived all her life.
She graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a BA Hons in Politics with Media and went on to be elected as the first female Muslim President of the Students' Union and also elected on to the National Executive Council for the NUS (National Union of Students).
As a councillor she has chaired many committees which include Dewsbury & Mirfield District Committee, Appeals Panel and PCN Lead for Dewsbury & Thornhill.
Councillor Dad has also served on the Planning Committee for many years.
It is a major milestone as Councillor Dad becomes the first woman of colour, first Muslim woman and youngest mayor of Kirklees.
She is passionate about closing the gender gap in all levels of politics and society.
During her year in office and beyond, she wants to be a role model for all those wanting to raise young families whilst having careers and ambitions to succeed in all walks of life.
Away from her political work, she is a keen traveller and enjoys spending time with family, her husband Shiraz Khan, who will be her consort, and their two young daughters.
Chief Service Officer Rachael Loftus
Rachael Loftus is currently the chief service officer for Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council, leading the coordination with Cities of Service. Loftus previously worked for Leeds City Council where she led the city’s partnership work on good community relations and migration, as well as developing innovative ideas for working with communities, including Poverty Truth Leeds .
What's Happening in Kirklees
93%
of participants feel less lonely now that they participate in the Out and About program
30M
number of Kirklees citizens who give 30 million hours of volunteer time each year to good causes