About Weeks Environmental

Profile of Lorraine Weeks

Lorraine is an energetic and motivated Environmental, Community & Heritage Consultant with extensive experience (25 years) in facilitating community & environmental projects in partnership with organizations, helping to bridge the gap between government policies and funding initiatives and the needs of the community.
Lorraine is a proactive communicator with a passion and belief in environmental issues, and in the ability of people to make a difference to their environment and lives.
An efficient, well experienced and calm manager of large environmental events and deliverer of initiatives at all levels: local, regional and national.
Lorraine is an innovative and resourceful results-orientated, client and community-focussed professional, with extensive interpersonal and communication skills and proven ability to meet deadlines regardless of pressure.

Description of Services Delivered

Facilitation and delivery of environmental, community & heritage initiatives
Project management of environmental, countryside and heritage projects
Organisation and delivery of environmental and countryside events and projects
Production of environmental education and interpretation resources
Research & feasibility studies connected with countryside issues
Environmental and ecological input to development projects
Facilitation and delivery of statutory funding initiatives to community groups
Phase 2 surveys, Management Plans, Farm Environment Plans for Agri-environmental grants
Stakeholder listing and development and training needs analysis
Workshop facilitation for community groups, networks and organizations
Community consultation involving a wide range of both community and professional partners

Skills

Excellent leadership, management and networking skills
Strong planning and organisational skills
Excellent team building and motivational skills
Natural ability and flair to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work on own initiative or as part of team
Strong promotional skills
Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
Good IT skills

Key Competencies

Ability to engage at all levels, delegate and motivate people to deliver
Calm and reasoned in sensitive or pressurised situations
Devising tailored strategies and implementing detailed action plans
Creative thinking and providing innovative solutions
Highly efficient, pragmatic and results-orientated

Employment History

1992 - Present

Community & Environmental Consultant

1981 - 1992

Conservation Projects Officer
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers – Gateshead & Merseyside
Conversion of barn to house project - Northumberland
Environmental Officer for Directorate of Town & Country
Planning, Fiji, South Pacific
Acting Warden, Nature Conservancy Council Derbyshire
Summer Warden, Nature Conservancy Council Derbyshire
Estate Management - Nature Conservancy Council,
Dyfi National Nature Reserve
Biology Supply Teacher, Dorset
Supervisor of Manpower Services Commission, Youth Opportunities Scheme for Nature Conservancy Council, Purbeck NNRs, Dorset

Professional Qualifications

B.Ed (Hons). II i
M.Sc, Ecological Management
DIC (Diploma of Imperial College)

Interests

Participation in many sports including : Hill walking, canoeing, golf, sailing, cycling, tennis, swimming, squash, ski-ing
Cultural pursuits: Theatre, Reading, Classical Concerts
The Natural World: Botanising, bird watching, woodlands and marine ecology

Offices Held

Forestry Commission Regional Advisory Committee, North East England (6 years)
Newbrough Parish Councillor (4 years)
Newbrough Town Hall Management Committee (3 years)
Secretary to Newbrough Youth Club (3 years)
Organiser of Newbrough Summer Playscheme (2 years)
Host of Nature Club for Key Stage 2 pupils (6 years)
Chair of Tynedale Women in Business (3 years)
Trustee of Mid Tyne Community Trust (2 years)
Northumberland National Park Environment Association
Parish Council representative (3 years)