Community Regeneration, Sport and Healthy Living
Appointed: April, 2010
Melba Pálházy is an expert in partnerships for sustainable development, communities and socio-economic regeneration. Melba is committed to proactive change initiatives in deprived areas; and believes in championing social inclusion, equality of opportunity and grass-roots leadership, seeing a clear link between community participation, health and wellbeing. Melba has a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Economics in Bratislava and a Master’s Degree in Social Anthropology in Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Melba currently works as a freelance programme and business development consultant and manager. Current clients include: Accendo Consult; Akarts; Art in the Park; Community Links; Imayla (Urban Rural Creative Connections); Institute of Linguists; JAMarts; Society Links; Tribe of Doris (Intercultural events), and Birkbeck College - University of London. She has over 12 years of experience in developing and delivering youth participation and community programmes and of building effective partnerships across diverse stakeholders. Melba's mission is to strengthen learning and participation through innovative projects and a groundbreaking approach to education, the arts, sports, healthy living initiatives, business and the environment. Melba supports the delivery of a range of projects and activities that enable social inclusion, new talent development, skills for and access to work. She has developed and project managed ambitious creative projects, such the Blue Train Project, in partnership with the V&A museum.
Past experience includes: Programme Manager at East Thames Group, managing the Education & Training Service for homeless & vulnerable young people in London and Essex. She led the consultation with young people on the London 2012 Athletes’ Village Plans. Prior to this she managed a borough-wide sports development programme in Newham for Community Links; giving young people the opportunity to get involved and excel, in far more than sports, becoming leaders in their own community. Expanding their skills into other fields, such as research, community leadership, including youth-run grant-giving. One highlight was the launch of the (first) “Sport Relief Mile” (2004) with Tony Blair and Seb Coe.
Melba is a keen sportswoman and also a black belt in Shotokan Karate. Passionate about the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, she is committed to ensuring the 2012 London Olympic legacy continues to benefit local communities for many years to come. Melba was nominated to be a London 2012 Torchbearer, and carried the Torch in the London Borough of Havering.