Our Town
Our future
Our people
How did our work start?
In 2009 the Sharons bumped into each other in town after not seeing each other for many years. It soon became apparent that both Sharons felt that something needed to be done to improve their home town and from that moment they were on a mission, and that mission was to keep the local people updated and informed what was happening in their town. After a number of years of working with local businesses and like-minded people the vision of DLDD Trust started to form and that vision was to enhance the job prospects of the residents of Dunstable. This has been done through their Facebook Don’t Let Dunstable Die page, where both local and national vacancies are posted. Through the power of social media people are able to see daily what opportunities are available to them. Local business come to DLDD Trust directly to advertise their vacancy using us as their first point of call to secure their employees. We usually only require a small donation for them to be posted to our 15,000+ followers who are active daily. If required we can offer bespoke training for multiple vacancies.
How we started
Long Live Dunstable started when Mary Portas came to Dunstable with the BBC Money Programme, and said it was “like a cemetery” and walked away because she was unable to help. So then Sharon Warboys, and Sharon Knott, later known as “The Sharons,” decided to take action. DLDD Trust the charity was born from the Facebook community page – Don’t Let Dunstable Die. They started the page in March of 2009, with the intention to give community a voice about their town, and to help with communication between the local counsel and the community.
Sharon Warboys then went to parliament and lobbied Barbara Follett MP and Minister for a review of business rates – which was successful. It has grown ever since.
About “the Sharons”
Mrs. Sharon Knott was born in her parents prefab in Dunstable in the late 50’s and has lived in her home town all her life. Seeing her town change over the years, sometimes not for the better, has often frustrated her. Born from frustration, her and fellow Dunstablian Sharon Warboys together created a community information hub to keep people informed of what is happening in their local area. To date they have over 15500+ page followers.
Through this passion Sharon has often been asked to speak to the media on local radio and has been on BBC Inside Out programme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUKeF8XFby0) and Look East. She personally attends many business events, speaking about ideas for the people of Dunstable.
Sharon’s day job and personal passion for the last 20+ years is to help the most difficult to reach and long term unemployed, gain training education and sustained employment. From this desire to help others, the DLDD trust charity was formed with that as a focus. With her experience and contacts in this sector she has been able to help many people into work. She says, “you never know what is around the corner and how your life can change in an instant, being able to help and support someone that has fallen on hard times or is struggling to get back on track is humbling, and if I can help that person I will.”
Mrs. Sharon Warboys – was born in Dunstable, as were her parents, who also had great ardour for the town. Sharon likes it known, that she is the younger of the two Sharons (by 4 weeks). She is a great believer in going with her gut feeling.
Sharon is a committed and experienced networker and business developer. She has created ideas, developed, sculptured and delivered significant projects. Sharon has been able to balance the needs of stakeholders to develop the Dunstable retail scene including Members of Parliament for the local area. Sharon is comfortable working on multiple projects and can think both creatively and strategically on delivering the end goal whatever that may be. Building long-term relationships with high net worth people comes naturally to Sharon.
What we do now
The Charity
Don’t Let Dunstable Die – as DLDD Trust is a registered charity (# 1157804). They believe their mission to be ‘the relief of unemployment for the benefit of the public in such ways as may be thought fit, including assistance to find employment.’ They also focus on work closely with the Bedfordshire police, The Big Issue with Lord John Bird and the Social Echo.
It is their belief that working with local people and businesses we can help to foster a high growth, highly skilled local workforce that will encourage entrepreneurial behaviours and ultimately improve the life and prospects of the people of Dunstable.
It is their missions to work with the people of Dunstable to support them in finding exciting job opportunities through the provision of training, soft skill enhancement, appropriate interview and work clothing in addition to transport assistance advice.
They also sit on a joint management committee for the Dunstable Town Centre, sponsor Three Shields, and also sit on the board for Dunstable in Bloom. They have recently partnered with the Dunstable Priory to help raise funds for church improvement.
Who we work with
DLDD works with Local and central government. They also work with local and national companies such as Amazon, The Big Issue with Lord John Bird, Ashton Square, Bargain Booze, Charmed Events, Go Houghton, Three Counties Media, Deakin-White Estate Agents, Grove Theatre, Carnoisseur, Jaw Construction, MJ Security, Old Palace Lodge, StotenGillam, Shirley Hollis Photography, The Cake House, Woodside Clinic, BBC Three Counties Radio, David Whiteley, Bedfordshire Police.
DLDD awards
DLDD were awarded The High Sheriff of Bedfordshire ‘Citizenship Of Bedfordshire Award’ by V. B. Taylor DL on February 21 of 2018.
Founders of DLDD Trust Sharon Knott and Sharon Warboys were awarded the ‘Annual Community Cohesion Thank You Awards 2018,’ award in reconciliation and dedication and commitment to supporting the communities and Bedfordshire Police.
Both Sharon Knott and Sharon Warboys were both awarded the “Award Of Recognition – Highly Commended’ by Kathryn Holloway Bedfordshire Crime Commissioner & the Dunstable Police Hub in September 19th of 2019.
Mr Peter Knott
Peter Knott is a local business man who has lived in Dunstable for 34yrs, Peter chose to come to Dunstable with his family in 1983 to manage Unwins Wine merchants in West Street. Peter managed the shop for 12yrs gaining respect from local people and businesses. Peters love for football then led his to become the manager of Downside youth football team and he continued to run the team for 9yrs and this is where his loyalty for Dunstable grew.
Peter passion for sport continued to grow and marathon running is now a big part of his life and you will often see Peter running the streets of Dunstable. And living in Dunstable has given him the opportunity to train in wonderful surrounding such as Blows and Dunstable downs.
When DLDD Trust was formed Peter become an integral part of the team, drawing from his skills acquired as a business man he helped to steer the charity forward.
Mr Richard Carrington
Richard started his manufacturing career in 1975 with an international company that made blood cell counters for hospitals. Over the next twenty-five years Richard worked in a number of manufacturing companies carrying out hundreds of interviews. Richard saw first hand how simply giving someone a real chance made such a huge difference on their future and well-being. Moving into community and social care, Richard was able to use employment as a way of changing people lives for the better. Being able to create two hour per week jobs for adults with disabilities whilst at Luton Borough Council brought great satisfaction. Richard continues to help people into work including delivering Job Fairs and Employment support across Central Bedfordshire.
Mrs Sharon Knott
Sharon Knott was born in her parents prefab in Dunstable in the late 50’s and has lived in her home town all her life. Seeing her town change over the years sometimes not for the better has often frustrated her and born from that frustration Don’t let Dunstable Die facebook page was formed in 2009 with fellow Dunstablian Sharon Warboys and together they created this community information page to keep people informed of what is happening in their local area. To date they have over 13500 followers.
Through this passion Sharon has often been asked to speak to the media on local radio and has been on BBC inside out programme and look east, she personally attends many business event speaking about their ideas for the people of Dunstable.
Sharon’s day job and personal passion for the last 20+ years is to help the most hard to reach long term unemployed gain training education and sustained employment. And from this desire to help others DLDD trust charity was formed. With her experience and contacts in this sector she has been able to help many people into work. A quote from Sharon is “ you never know what is around the corner and how your life can change in an instant, being able to help and support someone that has fallen on hard times or is struggling to get back on track is humbling and if I can help that person I will.”
Ms Sharon Warboys
Sharon was born in Dunstable as were her parents who also had great passion for the town. Sharon likes it known she is the younger of the two Sharons (by 4 weeks). She is a great believer in going with her gut feeling.
Sharon is a committed and experienced networker and business developer. She has created ideas, developed, sculptured and delivered significant projects. Sharon has been able to balance the needs of stakeholders to develop the Dunstable retail scene including Members of Parliament for the local area.
Sharon is comfortable working on multiple projects and can think both creatively and strategically on delivering the end goal whatever that may be. Building long-term relationships with high net worth people comes naturally to Sharon.
Our Town – Dunstable
Dunstable is a market town located in the Chiltern Hills. The town has a rich history and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Dunstable Downs, a well-known beauty spot, is a chalky escarpment a short distance from the town centre.
It is popular with kite flyers, paragliders and hang-gliders as well as being an ideal place to walk and take in breathtaking views over the Vale of Aylesbury. At the foot of the Downs, the London Gliding Club is a base for conventional gliding.
Also nearby are the peaceful surroundings of the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral , a garden laid out in the form of a cathedral to commemorate the dead of the First World War. Meanwhile the picturesque Totternhoe Knolls are the site of an ancient motte and bailey castle.
The town of Dunstable is dominated by the impressive Priory Church. In 1123 Henry 1st established a royal residence in the town in what is now the Royal Palace Lodge Hotel (formerly the Old Palace Lodge Hotel) on Church Street. The king used the lodge as a base for hunts in the local area.
The Dunstable Priory was founded in 1131 and was later the site of the divorce of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, a significant event in the tumultuous events that led to the establishment of the Church of England. In 1290 Dunstable was one of twelve sites to erect a cross to recognise the progress of the funeral procession of Eleanor of Castile.
Recent Times in Dunstable
More recently, Dunstable has had a proud industrial heritage. Like its neighbour Luton, Dunstable was involved in the hat industry and in later years printing and motor vehicle industries moved to the town. The new Bedford Dunstable plant came into production in 1942 to support the British Army in the Second World War.
The town was also home to the Meteorological Office from 1940 – 1961. The DDay Landings were delayed by 24hrs on the advice of the weather forecasters based in Dunstable.
Dunstable had two train stations until 1965 when the line was closed by Dr Beecham. Now the town has a busway link which follows the route of the old railway line to Luton, providing a fast and easy link to the railway network and London Luton Airport.
Dunstable has a huge music history. The California Ballroom operated from 1960 to 1977 with groups such as the Rolling Stones, Four Tops, Jimi Hendrix appearing there. The Queensway Hall also made it mark in Dunstable music history with Blondie, Genesis and David Bowie and many more playing there.
Today Dunstable has become the home of service industries such as Amazon and Superdrug who occupy warehouses in the town.
Your contribution will help our community
DLDD Trust supports people living in Dunstable and the surrounding area.
DLDD Trust seeks to remove the barriers that long term unemployment brings to people to help to understand what is preventing them from moving forward to empower them to believe in themselves and to move with them on their journey to Education, Training and Employment.
Donations to DLDD Trust will provide those looking to return to education training and employment with the things they may need, this can be anything from interview cloths to specialist specialist support.