<!Raymond Goodwin.

Raymond Goodwin is the Chief Executive of Castle Vale Tenants and Residence Alliance. Castle Vale TRA is an organisation grounded in the communities of East Birmingham. 

The TRA is embedded into the infrastructures of Castle Vale and is the only voluntary sector organisation that has started to engage in the Shard End and other outer ward in the East Birmingham Unlike many other organisations, Castle Vale TRA are very unique and it’s the only resident led organisation of its type in Birmingham and still is one of the foremost organisation of its type in England. The TRA is so much more than a drop in advice centre; it is also the heart of the community it works to serve. The phrase ‘community anchor organisation’ has been used freely and by many in the last 5 years, however this phrase really does best describe what we do: ‘Help When You Need It’ really does mean that.

Raymond has been at the TRA since 2009 and has led the organisation through a period of change to enable the TRA to react to the changing political landscape. The TRA are one of the only organisations who have been delivering what is now known as the Big Society since its inception. Raymond worked for Birmingham Settlement for 10 years where he was Development Manager. Raymond was responsible for developing funding applications and supporting the development of new projects Raymond has bought his experience and his business management experience to the role of Chief Executive of the TRA. Raymond is Chair of the Development Agency Network, a group of nine organisations based within the heart of priority neighbourhoods in Birmingham. The DA network is currently delivering the Big Lottery Basis 2 programme to the most isolated communities in Birmingham. Raymond is also a member of the Lottery Action Group which is a strategic group led by Be Birmingham. Raymond lives in East Birmingham in the heart of Shard End where the TRA works, helping to bring regeneration to communities such as Castle Vale and Shard End is close to Raymond’s heart. Raymond was born in Birmingham and grew up in Erdington where he went to school. Raymond has recently completed his master’s level qualification in leadership. Raymond has over 15 years experience in community development and community activism. Raymond is enthusiastic and passionate about community regeneration and believes people need to be at the heart of change within their own communities.