Introducing...
Our National Vice President Penny Parkinson
Before moving to France over twenty years ago Penny worked as a solicitor in England. During her professional career she was also apart-time lecturer at De Montfort University, contributing to a number of books and other publications aimed at making the law more accessible for people. Penny lives in the Pyrénées-Orientales with her husband, three rescue English setters, and a number of goats.
Penny joined the Cancer Support France Sud de France association at its inception in 2008. CSF Sud de France covers a very large area encompassing five departments. Since training as an Active Listener Penny has held a variety of roles; she is currently a member of the CSF Sud de France Helpline team and is involved in training and event organising in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
At CSF National level Penny became the National Conseil representative for Sud de France in 2013 before serving as National Vice President and then National President from 2016 to 2019. She has also been a member of the National Telephone Helpline team since it started in 2015, and is a moderator on the CSF Forum.
Working with National President Carol Quinlan, Penny played a vital role in securing external funding for the 2025 Active Listener Conference in Bordeaux, an event attended by CSF volunteers from the affiliate CSF associations across France.
Penny is currently National Vice President, with particular responsibility for governance and partnerships.
