The Community Voice Team

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Cliciwch yma am y Gymraeg

The Community Voice Team (CVT) is made up of 5 people who live in RCT. The CVT members are employed for 6 hours per week and work closely with the HDRC team, the community, and our collaborating partners during this time.

They work as part of the central team to guarantee that the work of the HDRC reflects the needs and experiences of the community and ensure that lived experience and the community voice is included throughout all the work of the HDRC. You can find out about the importance of public engagement in the work of RCT HDRC here.

The CVT will do this by:

  • Supporting the project enquiries and proposals process – providing feedback, lived experience perspectives, and ensuring projects are in line with community needs.

  • Building relationships with partner organisations and members of the community.

  • Gathering lived experience evidence from the community.

  • Attending training and development opportunities (and identifying where there are gaps).

  • Supporting with the development of internal HDRC processes and documentation.

  • Communicating with the community to make them aware of HDRC developments and opportunities.

  • Representing the HDRC at relevant meetings and events.

The CVT receive direct support from the Public and Community Engagement Officer, as well as the wider HDRC central team and our collaborating partners. They are offered training and development opportunities to support them in their role and we will work with them to identify individual training needs to ensure they feel supported during their involvement, and after.


Laura brings a background in teaching to her role as a Community Voice Team Member. As a mam of three children growing up in Rhondda Cynon Taf, she is passionate about shaping the community into the best possible place for her children’s future. In her free time, Laura loves reading and is currently enjoying the challenge of learning Welsh. She is happiest when she’s with family and friends, especially if food is involved! Laura loves meeting new people and having a chat. She is thrilled to be part of the HDRC team and looks forward to getting out into the community and working together to make a difference.
Kim is also a Community Voice Team Member, whose goal is to bridge the gap between the council and members of the RCT public. She feels passionate about speaking up for others and hopes to learn from members of our community to help RCT thrive. Kim is an artist with many hobbies, loves to read and lives with her children and sausage dog in the Cynon area.
Joining them is Matthew, an excited Community Voice Team Member. Although only recently moving to RCT in 2025, Matthew has been joining community events and workshops in the area since 2023. These include the National Eisteddfod 2024, craft sessions at Meadow Street Community Gardens, and pole/ acrobatic sessions in the Capel Farm Community Centre. Matthew has experience in teaching skiing and French language but currently balances the role within the HDRC with being a teaching assistant in ALN primary schools, whilst also volunteering fortnightly at a percussion band for people affected by Parkinson's disease. Music, particularly drumming, is a passion! Matthew believes community is key for well-being and is looking forward to working with our Public and Community Engagement Officer to bring lived experience into the Council’s decision-making process.
Debra joined the CVT in early December 2025, having retired in March 2023. This followed a lengthy career of over 40 years in local authority Human Resources (HR), where she supported Social Services Departments and the wider council. Bringing knowledge and experience of local government, she has worked across public services and with partners in her capacity as lead HR officer for the social care workforce and the head of HR. She has embraced retirement and is enjoying quality time spent with family and friends, going on holiday, and taking care of her wellbeing. She has become an active member of the local leisure centre, a walking group and volunteers with a local foodbank. This new role is an ideal opportunity for Debra as an RCT resident to use some of her skills and genuine interest in public services and the value of community resources to help people and improve their lives.
David Snook is also a Community Voice Team Member. His previous experience includes working with Youth Cymru, RCT Carers Support Project which supports unpaid carers within the community, and he is currently a part-time Triage Officer with RCT Work and Skills alongside his role with the CVT. He has a Masters in Ancient Civilizations and is currently undertaking a PhD in Archaeology with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen. His interests in archaeology and community services complement each other in his role with the HDRC CVT as he has a passion for research and people’s lived experiences. He is enthusiastic about being able to use his skills and experiences to support the various HDRC projects and improve the wellbeing of residents in RCT in the long-term. David is a proud advocate for Neurodivergent, and LGBTQI+ issues. He is an avid reader with a passion for history, science, social issues and other topics such as Sci-Fi and horror. He loves a good horror movie!

Cliciwch yma am y Gymraeg

The Community Voice Team (CVT) is made up of 5 people who live in RCT. The CVT members are employed for 6 hours per week and work closely with the HDRC team, the community, and our collaborating partners during this time.

They work as part of the central team to guarantee that the work of the HDRC reflects the needs and experiences of the community and ensure that lived experience and the community voice is included throughout all the work of the HDRC. You can find out about the importance of public engagement in the work of RCT HDRC here.

The CVT will do this by:

  • Supporting the project enquiries and proposals process – providing feedback, lived experience perspectives, and ensuring projects are in line with community needs.

  • Building relationships with partner organisations and members of the community.

  • Gathering lived experience evidence from the community.

  • Attending training and development opportunities (and identifying where there are gaps).

  • Supporting with the development of internal HDRC processes and documentation.

  • Communicating with the community to make them aware of HDRC developments and opportunities.

  • Representing the HDRC at relevant meetings and events.

The CVT receive direct support from the Public and Community Engagement Officer, as well as the wider HDRC central team and our collaborating partners. They are offered training and development opportunities to support them in their role and we will work with them to identify individual training needs to ensure they feel supported during their involvement, and after.


Laura brings a background in teaching to her role as a Community Voice Team Member. As a mam of three children growing up in Rhondda Cynon Taf, she is passionate about shaping the community into the best possible place for her children’s future. In her free time, Laura loves reading and is currently enjoying the challenge of learning Welsh. She is happiest when she’s with family and friends, especially if food is involved! Laura loves meeting new people and having a chat. She is thrilled to be part of the HDRC team and looks forward to getting out into the community and working together to make a difference.
Kim is also a Community Voice Team Member, whose goal is to bridge the gap between the council and members of the RCT public. She feels passionate about speaking up for others and hopes to learn from members of our community to help RCT thrive. Kim is an artist with many hobbies, loves to read and lives with her children and sausage dog in the Cynon area.
Joining them is Matthew, an excited Community Voice Team Member. Although only recently moving to RCT in 2025, Matthew has been joining community events and workshops in the area since 2023. These include the National Eisteddfod 2024, craft sessions at Meadow Street Community Gardens, and pole/ acrobatic sessions in the Capel Farm Community Centre. Matthew has experience in teaching skiing and French language but currently balances the role within the HDRC with being a teaching assistant in ALN primary schools, whilst also volunteering fortnightly at a percussion band for people affected by Parkinson's disease. Music, particularly drumming, is a passion! Matthew believes community is key for well-being and is looking forward to working with our Public and Community Engagement Officer to bring lived experience into the Council’s decision-making process.
Debra joined the CVT in early December 2025, having retired in March 2023. This followed a lengthy career of over 40 years in local authority Human Resources (HR), where she supported Social Services Departments and the wider council. Bringing knowledge and experience of local government, she has worked across public services and with partners in her capacity as lead HR officer for the social care workforce and the head of HR. She has embraced retirement and is enjoying quality time spent with family and friends, going on holiday, and taking care of her wellbeing. She has become an active member of the local leisure centre, a walking group and volunteers with a local foodbank. This new role is an ideal opportunity for Debra as an RCT resident to use some of her skills and genuine interest in public services and the value of community resources to help people and improve their lives.
David Snook is also a Community Voice Team Member. His previous experience includes working with Youth Cymru, RCT Carers Support Project which supports unpaid carers within the community, and he is currently a part-time Triage Officer with RCT Work and Skills alongside his role with the CVT. He has a Masters in Ancient Civilizations and is currently undertaking a PhD in Archaeology with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen. His interests in archaeology and community services complement each other in his role with the HDRC CVT as he has a passion for research and people’s lived experiences. He is enthusiastic about being able to use his skills and experiences to support the various HDRC projects and improve the wellbeing of residents in RCT in the long-term. David is a proud advocate for Neurodivergent, and LGBTQI+ issues. He is an avid reader with a passion for history, science, social issues and other topics such as Sci-Fi and horror. He loves a good horror movie!
Page last updated: 11 Sep 2026, 04:37 PM