CELEBRATING 25 YEARS MAV UK
MAV UK IS NON-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION & ALL PROCEEDS ARE RE-INVESTED IN THE HALL OR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
KEY PEOPLE
Pure Professionalism
Patsy McKie
Founder
Patsy was the longest serving member of the charity. It was her inspirational story which motivated the charity when it started in August 1999. Patsy’s work was acknowledged with a Manchester Pride Award in 2019. She is still at the forefront of the organisation and has supported many families in her local area. The charity will always be indebted to her valuable contribution in helping to reduce gang, gun, and knife crime in the local area. Patsy was appointed as secretary of the business structure of the charity in 2017.
Ian C Swanston
Chairperson / Trustee
Ian is the new Chairperson of the charity appoinappointment in April 2025 and leads with funding application submissions for MAV UK projects. He is a qualified counsellor and has a keen interest in therapeutic work which includes trauma-based therapy. Ian has been part of the team since 2005, he has successfully secured funding for all MAV UK services. He is involved with every aspect of the charity; he is the go-to person when it comes to what you need to know about MAV UK. Ian manages the day-to-day functions of the charity and all funding outcomes, which include evidencing.
Stanimir Kolev
DO / Trustee / Secretary
Commercial & Charity
Stanimir is highly creative and innovative professional with graduation in Arts & Economics with proven success in delivering exceptional projects and business strategies, recognise for creative, conceptual, and analytical talents.
Stanimir has been involved in developing projects for MAV since 2016 and appointed a the DO in January 2020 and became the new Secretary and Trustee in April 2025.
His strong professional background in the Social Area and experience in fast-paced business environments contribute positively to the development of MAV UK.
Stanimir developed the new Website, "Project Smiles UK", Our New MAV UK Branding and Slogan.
He is currently collaborating with internal and external members to improve MAVUK Finances, MAVUK Community Hall, and the overall charity prospectus.
Pauline Sergeant
2024 MAV Chairperson
Pauline was the longest serving chairperson MAV UK have had since it gained charity status in 2010. She joined the team in 2013 and made it her mission to ensure policies and procedures were always a priority. Pauline came to MAV UK with a great understanding of local community engagement. She has previously worked as a school governor, and with AGE UK. Pauline is a counsellor and mentor and supports these services with her skills and knowledge. She was appointed a director of the business structure of the charity in 2017.
COMING SOON
Student Volunteer Support
Engagement Lead
COMING SOON
BDM – Committee Member
Vida Swanston
Trustee/Treasurer
Vida is a retired social worker who has volunteered for MAV UK since 2002. She has been the treasurer for the charity since 2006 and serves as a trustee. Vida has provided the charity with advice and support with issues related to supporting parents. She has a keen interest in supporting hard to reach young people. She was one of the first volunteers to start visiting local families after they had lost a loved one because of violent crime. She has used her personal experience of violent crime to support the people in the community.
Rose Thompson
Trustee/ Founder
Rose attended the first meeting held in the community in response to gun and gang crime in 1999, after 3 young men were shot and killed in the same week. She has continued to support the charity since the beginning. She has supported the financial accounting of the charity. In more recent years as MAV UK took on business status, Rose was appointed a director of the business structure of the charity in 2017.
Barbara Allen-Edwards
Past Trustee
Barbara was a valued member of the management committee and one of our newly appointed trustees. She has supported the Making Children & Young People Matter (MCYPM) Project over the years. She is a key part of our MCYPM annual events, held in the city center of Manchester. Barbara has a keen interest in supporting issues related to domestic abuse and issues which concern women and young people at risk of exploitation. Barbara has served as a trustee for the past few years and been a committed volunteer from 2012 to 2022
Dr Robert Ralph
Trustee
Robert started with the charity in a research role. This allowed him to evidence the impact of many of the earlier projects delivered by the charity. He also provides MAV UK with links with our local university. Robert has been a trustee since 2010. He was key in leading the charity in its bid to get charity status. He continues to link the service with relevant research information which supports our ability to obtain the right funding opportunities.
