Our Team
If you’re not sure who to contact for advice and support at Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire (RCAN), take a look at our team.
- Alex Raynor – Director
I joined RCAN in 2008, bringing experience from the private, voluntary and public sectors to help establish and manage our Gypsy and Traveller support service. Since then, I’ve led a wide variety of community development projects and worked alongside an exceptional team of colleagues past and present. In 2019, I was proud to be appointed Director.
Growing up in a Yorkshire farming family gave me a lifelong connection to rural life, and now living in a Nottinghamshire village, I never take for granted the value of strong communities and the beautiful, diverse countryside on our doorstep. That lived experience keeps me grounded and focused on what matters most to local people.
RCAN’s vision is simple: to make sure every community has access to professional, friendly support so that volunteers feel connected, confident, and able to realise their ambitions.
My approach is rooted in listening and learning from lived experience, but also in ensuring our work is robust, accountable, and impactful. With extensive experience in governance, compliance and grant funding, I hope I can offer a trusted professional voice, giving confidence to both community volunteers and commissioning partners that RCAN’s work is well run and future focused.
Personally, I have a strong interest in education, serving as a clerk to governors and holding roles such as Chair and Safeguarding Lead. I see a natural connection between schools and their wider communities and am passionate about building partnerships, creating trust, and encouraging lifelong learning for all.
It’s a privilege to work alongside the many dedicated people who quietly fill gaps in services, reduce isolation, and bring their own energy to support local life. Their commitment is inspiring and it motivates me every day to champion and support rural communities across Nottinghamshire.
Jenny Kirkwood – Director
I joined RCAN in August 2008 as a Rural Officer, having spent my entire career in the voluntary sector supporting children and families. After graduating from Derby University, I knew I wanted to work in roles that made a difference at a community level. Community has always been at the heart of my work, and over the years I’ve had the opportunity to deliver and manage a wide range of community development projects across rural Nottinghamshire.
Much of my time at RCAN has been spent leading a fantastic team of officers, supporting rural communities through both hands-on delivery and strategic partnerships. I’ve worked closely with local authorities and other infrastructure organisations, always believing that strong collaboration is key to making real, lasting impact.
Growing up in a rural area myself, I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to access services, facilities, and even friends. I remember what it felt like to be a young person with few local options and feeling cut off from neighbouring towns. That background continues to shape the way I approach my work. I understand the challenges our rural communities face because I’ve lived them.
I became Director alongside Alex Raynor in 2019, and while my role has evolved, staying connected to the communities we support remains central to what I do. I’m proud to be part of an organisation that works alongside local people to help create strong, resilient, and thriving rural places.
Outside of work, I still live rurally and enjoy the peace and perspective that countryside life offers. It’s a daily reminder of why this work matters, and why I remain passionate about supporting rural communities across Nottinghamshire.
Jodi Carter-Davies – Development and Delivery Officer
I joined RCAN in September 2020, midway through the pandemic, bringing with me a background that blends creativity, communications, and community engagement. After studying Contemporary Arts at Nottingham Trent University, I spent ten years at Experian in their Corporate Communications Department before moving into self-employment as a virtual administrator to balance work with family life.
Living in a village and raising a large family gave me the opportunity to become actively involved in community life, from supporting the PTA to helping organise school events and managing the annual village festival. These experiences deepened my passion for grassroots community action and the difference local volunteers can make.
At RCAN, my role as Development and Delivery Officer allows me to specialise in supporting the management committees of village and community halls across the county. I’m proud to champion volunteers, celebrating their achievements through initiatives like our annual Village Halls Week event. I’ve also helped establish cluster groups where committees can share knowledge and support one another, strengthening our membership scheme and community connections.
Having grown up in a Lincolnshire hamlet and later lived in both towns and cities, I’ve always been drawn to the sense of belonging that comes with village life. I’m passionate about encouraging residents to engage with their communities, revive rural traditions, and create vibrant annual calendars of events that bring people together.
Outside work, I love live music and often go to gigs and festivals. I’m a keen cook, vegetable gardener and preserve-maker, with a passion for food sustainability, which includes helping organise our village’s annual Apple Day.
Natasha Cox - Associate for Marketing & Training
I joined RCAN as an Associate in 2021, bringing over a decade of experience in marketing and communications. Since then, I’ve been delivering training sessions across Nottinghamshire that help community centres, village halls and voluntary groups make the most of their Facebook pages, giving them the skills and confidence to promote their spaces and connect with local people.
My passion lies in making a real, practical impact. I love working with committees and volunteers who care deeply about their communities, and it's incredibly rewarding to help them tell their stories, reach more people, and unlock the full potential of their spaces.
My sessions are designed to be friendly, jargon-free and packed with real-world examples that make marketing feel more manageable and meaningful - even for those who feel unsure about social media.
I’m proud to be part of RCAN’s wider mission to ensure that rural and community organisations feel supported, confident and empowered, not only to promote their work but to thrive long-term.
When I’m not delivering training or working on campaigns, you’ll usually find me outdoors with my family and our dog, making the most of the countryside life I feel lucky to be part of.
