ABOUT US

Community Development Chesterfield (CDC) operates as a registered charity under charity number 1206790.

Originally established in 2014 as a community initiative known as Rother Active Youth (RAY Club), the project was founded by Cllr Jenny Flood to support young people in the Rother Ward. In the summer of 2023, responsibility for the RAY Club was passed to Dan Henman and Grace Wright, a committed young couple who had recently settled in the area and shared a strong passion for community development.

With a clear vision to grow the club beyond its original remit, Dan and Grace began expanding the provision into a wider youth organisation. In October 2023, they formally commenced the charity application process, with the ambition of serving not only young people but the wider Chesterfield community across all age groups.

In February 2024, this vision became a reality when the organisation was officially registered as Community Development Chesterfield (CDC). Shortly afterwards, Dan and Grace became leaseholders of the CDC Cosy Hub (S40 2SW), which now serves as the charity’s primary office and central community space.

CDC now operates a range of community-led initiatives, including Cosy Cubs Toddler Group, youth provisions, CDC Walton Knitters, CDC Community Coffee Afternoon and Tupton Foodbank, working collaboratively to foster connection, inclusion and mutual support within the community.

The charity is governed by a dedicated board of trustees:

Dan Henman (Chair) – CEO, CDC Group & Trustee
Grace Wright (Finance) – Director, CDC Group & Trustee
Jenny Flood (Councillor) – Trustee
Sylvia Tidmarsh – Trustee
Leann Parsons - Trustee

Eric Nicholas supports the organisation in the role of Treasurer, providing valuable voluntary expertise and community support.