Falkirk charity chief leaves big shoes to fill

A CHARITY chief who was instrumental in shaping the district’s voluntary sector has stepped down after nine years in the post.

Kenny Murphy was chief executive of Falkirk & District CVS as it successfully streamlined its services to communities over the past decade, championing and raising the profile of volunteering.

The 37-year-old has taken up a similar position at Fife Voluntary Action.

The third sector has become an increasingly important part of delivering government health and social services cheaper as welfare reform and cuts kick in and his departure leaves big shoes to fill in challenging financial times.

Chairman of the CVS board Bill Kelly said: “We are sorry to see Kenny leave CVS Falkirk and District. We greatly appreciated his contribution. He worked hard to create an environment where the work of the voluntary sector is recognised and valued both locally and nationally.

“He developed excellent links with other organisations and partners to ensure there is a strong voluntary sector voice out there and the board of Falkirk & District CVS want to build on this position going forward at this challenging time for the sector.”

Mr Kelly added: “There are a number of key challenges facing us all in the voluntary sector including maintaining a stable financial position, dealing locally with the impact of welfare reforms and ensuring that organisations can continue to grow and develop their services at a time when there is an ever growing demand for these.”

Under Mr Murphy’s guidance CVS, an umbrella organisation bringing charities, volunteers and services, helped thousands of people get into volunteering through local groups providing help in communities to vulnerable people, many with health problems.

Looking back on his time here in Falkirk Mr Murphy said: “We always felt we were fire fighting all the time and never stopped to look at what we’ve done.

“There is a great team at CVS Falkirk who are still facing major challenges from reducing budgets that will place pressure on services.

“The biggest achievement has been delivering the cross sector partnership working. Social enterprises are a growth area and there is innovative work with The Helix to promote local enterprise.

“This is only part of the answer though and we all have to be brave and smart with partnership working more important than ever before.”

Falkirk CVS is recruiting for a replacement and hopes to have a successor in place by the summer.