Suffolk's voluntary sector leader has announced she is stepping down after steering it through the pandemic and the onset of a cost-of-living crisis.

Community Action Suffolk (CAS) chief executive Chris Abraham will leave in September after more than four years supporting volunteers and social enterprises in the county.

CAS - which is based in Ipswich - supports those working in the county's Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. 

Ms Abraham joined Suffolk Constabulary straight from school as a police cadet and went on to spend 32 years in the voluntary sector.

From the autumn, she will be spending more time with her family following "an incredible chapter of my career", she said.

"With my own family life being something I seek to prioritise more fully in the years ahead, it truly feels like the right time to pass over the baton," she explained.

But she was "immensely proud" of the way that CAS navigated and led much of the community response to the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

"I am thankful that I was able to fulfil my duties as CEO during the pandemic, being aided by so many motivated individuals and organisations," she said.

"All roles I have held have had an ethos of helping and enabling others.

"Throughout that professional journey I have gained a privileged perspective of the incredible work being undertaken within this county.

"It has made me so grateful to be part of the Suffolk community, and to know that I have been at the heart of a sector which contributes so much to so many.

"And of course, it goes without saying that the last few years in particular, have brought intense change and challenge, as a result of both Covid and the onset of the cost of living crisis."

 

Until her departure, she will be actively working with her staff and board as the CAS marks its 10th anniversary.

"I genuinely consider Community Action Suffolk to be in a strong position within the county’s infrastructure, and I know there is still more to do," she said.

Chair of trustees Kevin Ward, thanked her for "the incredible amount of effort, energy and enthusiasm" she had devoted to the organisation.

“Not only has she done so much for CAS itself, but she has played such a pivotal role in developing relationships with public and private sector, as well as championing the voluntary sector at every turn.

“We will be sorry to see her move on but wish her all the best for her future endeavours, and with a strong board of trustees and senior management team, will now be working hard to find a strong successor to fill her exceptional shoes and lead the organisation alongside them in the future."