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Keighley voluntary worker


A long-serving member of Keighley’s voluntary sector has starred in her own movie.

Frances Brookes talks about her 30 years with Keighley Voluntary Services in the eight-minute film.

The film — made by KVS staff — was screened at the organisation’s annual meeting last week.

Frances was retiring after three decades as a trustee for the charity, which supports Keighley’s voluntary and community groups.

Frances told how, while working as a health visitor, she became an NHS representative with KVS, which was then known as Keighley Council for Voluntary Service.

She was instrumental in developing many of the organisation’s major projects, some of which went on to become independent organisations. Flourishing organisations like Keighley Volunteer Centre, Furniture Project and Over 50s Centre were once part of KVS.

Frances said: “Most of the projects we’ve spun off have been very successful and really made a difference to people’s lives. KVS has always been so practical. Things have been done that have changed people’s lives.”

Frances said KVS’s greatest strengths included its flexibility and willingness to listen to other people.

She said: “We’ve always been willing to move on and meet fresh challenges. KVS is full of energy and enterprise and looking forward.”

At the meeting, KVS trustee Pam Essler described Frances and Isabel Scarborough — KVS’s chairman for many years — as a “formidable pair”.


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