Meet the Team
Staff & Volunteers
Staff, trustees and volunteers, VAI Strategy Day July 2025
CEO & COO
Role
Provides strategic leadership for VAI, championing the VCFSE and influencing policy and partnerships across Islington.
Contact Navinder
navinder.kaur@vai.org.uk
T: 020 7832 5801
Role
Leads operational delivery, business development and strategic initiatives to strengthen VAI and the voluntary sector.
Contact Kelly
kelly.carter@vai.org.uk
T: 020 7832 5801
(Monday-Thursday)
Finance
Role
Producing management accounts, budgets, forecasts and financial reports to support effective financial management.
Contact Muhammed
Role
Providing bookkeeping and payroll functions, supporting the smooth financial running of the organisation.
Contact Diane
diane.corsial@vai.org.uk
(Tuesday)
Volunteer Centre
Role
Leading on the delivery of high-quality volunteering services; supporting good practice and inclusive volunteering for volunteer-involving organisations providing front-line services/community support.
Contact Marta
marta.aparicio@vai.org.uk
T: 020 7832 5801
Role
Delivering the volunteer brokerage and outreach service for local residents and VCFSE organisations. Leading a team of Community Volunteering Advisors (VAI volunteers) to promote and deliver volunteering across the community.
Contact Primrose
primrose.christie@vai.org.uk
T: 020 7832 5826
M: 073 5445 9113
(Monday-Thursday)
Resource Centre
Role
Managing Resource Centre room/desk hire, Resource Centre assistants, marketing and communications, finance support and office operations.
Contact Meera
meera.jobanputra@vai.org.uk
T: 020 7832 5801
M: 07900 412 108
Role
Providing room hire support and Resource Centre administration.
Contact Justyna
justyna.kniec@vai.org.uk
T: 020 7832 5801
(Monday-Thursday)
Role
Providing room hire support, Resource Centre administration and assisting with website communications.
Contact Deborah
deborah.makonnen@vai.org.uk
T: 020 7832 5801
(Tuesday-Thursday)
VCFSE Support & Community Development
Role
Leading training, capacity building and organisational development support for the VCFSE sector through training, practical one-to-one and group support.
Contact Tsigereda
tsigereda.tekletsadik@vai.org.uk
T: 07386 891291
Role
Leading thematic data groups and bringing together the council, VCFSE sector and academics to explore local data, identify gaps and improve services.
Contact Cliff
cliff.joseph@vai.org.uk
M: 07354 460 061
(Monday-Thursday)
Role
Supporting VAI’s strategic initiatives and capacity building/organisational development and Volunteer Centre projects.
Contact James
james.wooldridge@vai.org.uk
T: 07867 948577
Our Volunteers
Staff, trustees and volunteers, VAI Annual General Meeting and Volunteer of the Year Awards, November 2025
Our VAI volunteers are Marlene, Joyce, Richard, Nisreen, Larysi, and Masuma
VAI is a London Living Wage Employer
Voluntary Action Islington is proud to be an accredited London Living Wage employer.
The real Living Wage is independently calculated based on the actual cost of living and reflects our commitment to fair pay, good work and supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We encourage employers across Islington to join the growing movement for fair pay and become accredited Living Wage employers.
The cost of living continues to be a significant challenge for many people across London. By paying the real Living Wage, employers can help tackle in-work poverty, improve staff wellbeing and retention, and contribute to a fairer and more inclusive borough.
