Empowering Community Through Collaboration
Life in Community C.I.C was founded in 2019 and incorporated in February 2020, after Kelly Cranston (founder) stepped down as Chair from Tibby Residents Association.
Being born and raised on the Tibbington Estate, following the completion of her degree, Kelly felt it was imperative to give back to her local community and help raise their aspirations.
For over 10 years, Kelly and a team of local resident volunteers were involved in improving geographical area of the Tibbington Estate (Tibby) in the ward of Princes End of Tipton. During that period, Kelly and the team worked tirelessly to deliver services for the local community, which included youth work, education and employment support and training as well as offering signposting services for local people.
Kelly became increasingly aware that the structure of the TRA was not fit for purpose, in order to access the required resources, that were necessary to address the social issues in the area. Being frustrated by the continuation of projects parachuting into the community to alleviate some of the issues, without ever being able to address the root causes. She used her local knowledge, experience and passion for community work; to recruit like-minded local people to become directors of Life in Community; people passionate about transforming Princes End and the wider Tipton area.
Our Story
LiC's Directors
Pat Williamson is also a Director alongside Kelly (pictured together) and has lived in the Princes End area for most of her life and has worked as a volunteer for many years in Tipton (and elsewhere), seeking to improve life outcomes in a deprived area which had few community facilities and employment opportunities. However, these areas had a great community spirit.
Pat has encountered disabilities and deprivation throughout her life, inspiring her to encourage, motivate, and facilitate others to achieve their best. She believes strong communities are built on caring, respectful relationships where everyone is included and can try new things without fear.
Her volunteering includes youth and children’s work, running a parent and toddler group within various churches, assisting a child with special educational needs in primary school, and serving as treasurer for her local Tenants and Residents Association. She has also volunteered with a local listeners’ group, the Education and Business Partnership, and youth and children’s clubs in a church setting. Independently, Pat established study groups and dance workshops for women and girls to teach new skills, empower, and motivate them.
Professionally, Pat has worked in local high schools in special educational needs learning support and as a learning mentor. She has held administrative roles within the NHS and worked for the local authority as a Local Learning Champion, engaging the community with learning opportunities. Her strengths include being a trained counselor with skills in active listening, mentoring, and financial management. Pat’s experiences have shown her the value of access to life skills, well-being, and educational opportunities within the community, reinforcing her belief in the importance of “Life in Community.”
Charlene Cotton Born and bred in the Tipton, Charlene has worked in the local area over the last 17 years delivering services ranging from childcare, youth engagement and intensive family support. She's worked for various organisations such as Murray Hall Community Trust, Citizens Advice, Tipton Toddlers and more recently Black Country Talent Match working across, Sandwell and Wolverhampton.
Charlene is a mother six and has been involved with Tibby TRA for over 10 years. She led on the under 10's provision and community engagement. Charlene is passionate about promoting positive mental well-being.
She loves supporting local people to achieve their goals and aspirations. She is a real advocate for women, especially young mothers, helping them to rise above their circumstances and learn skills that will equip them for the future.
During her tenure at Black Country Talent Match, Charlene won Mentor of the year which highlights her dedication in supporting young people. Charlene is trained in supporting women affected by domestic violence as domestic violence community champion via the Freedom Programme.
Suzie Ho Sue has lived in the Sandwell area for over 30 years. She has worked as an accountant and a volunteer during that time. She has always had a heart for helping people. About six years ago she was called to study counselling and is now a qualified integrative counsellor. She has also taught levels 2 and 3 and assisted with level 4 in counselling certification, to help others achieve their goals to help people with mental health problems.
Sue's volunteering has been in many different areas from being a member of several listening services, volunteer counsellor, working in several foodbanks in Sandwell and Birmingham, delivering mental health workshops, running a coffee morning for people to come and meet others and facilitate them meeting other people and talking about their mental health problems. She also assisted to run a scout group and taking kids camping to learn important life skills. Her faith is really important to her and as such has been involved in a prayer street ministry and church related activities.
Sue's primary focus now is helping and equipping people to work through their mental health concerns to achieve their goals. She sees it as a real privilege to walk alonside them through their journey and to be a part of their healing and rebuilding of their life script. This allows them to move on with life, equipped and stronger, ready to face what lies ahead of them in the future.
I'm so glad of all the help Kelly does and she does her best to help and listen and trys her best to get the things sorted. I think my mental health is better than it was.
Grateful Resident
I love coming here. Everyone is so friendly & helpful
Local Person
