Sector organisations have paid tribute to Judy Robinson, the recent chair of umbrella body NAVCA, who died last week.

Robinson, who had chaired the local infrastructure body from 2020 until 2023, passed away suddenly on 26 May while away with friends.

In a statement on social media, NAVCA said: “She was an amazing woman who died in a place she loved with good friends. She was a powerful advocate of communities and social justice, she fought for what she believed in, with energy and commitment.

“She will be remembered by many. In the coming days, we will think about how we can pay tribute to her, and all she achieved for the voluntary sector.”

‘A source of wisdom’

Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) also paid tribute to Robinson, who was chair of local organisation Healthwatch Sheffield.

“Everyone at Voluntary Action Sheffield and the Healthwatch Sheffield team are utterly devastated to hear of Judy’s passing on Monday and we send our heartfelt condolences to Judy’s family and friends,” VAS said in a statement.

“Judy was a force to be reckoned with, having spent a long career in the voluntary community, faith and social enterprise sector, she was committed to social justice and was a community organiser in her own time as well as a community leader and advocate in her professional life.   

“For all of us, she was a source of wisdom, tenacity and hope and she will be sorely missed by all who worked alongside her.   

“We remember how Judy gave a tremendous amount of her time and thought to supporting social justice in Sheffield and her most recent challenge was to deliver a thought-provoking speech to open the Sheffield Poverty Summit in March.   

“In that speech Judy challenged us to work with the assets we have, and to connect to one another better; asking us to find ‘surprising friends’ with whom our perspective might be challenged, as it was only by working together across a range of perspectives that we could tackle the inequality we see. 

“We know that many people in that room listening to Judy’s words felt compelled to act and that is the skill and passion with which she spoke in so many rooms and community spaces over the years.”

Healthwatch Sheffield posted: “Judy was our friend and colleague and the impact of her loss is vast – her wisdom, positivity and unwavering commitment to social justice has been instrumental in shaping our work since she joined Healthwatch Sheffield in 2016.

“Judy believed firmly in the power of people to do good; as a volunteer, she worked tenaciously in her role to help build a fairer, healthier city for the people of Sheffield.  She gave her time generously, with kind, compassionate, thoughtful leadership as her distinctive style.  

“Our thoughts are with all those who knew Judy – we know she was cherished by many.”