Theme Group: Safer & Stronger Community Board

Projects Manager of the Bedfordshire John Howard Society. I worked for NACRO providing training for unemployed adults and young people with special needs, before gaining employment as the first manager of Luton Foyer, a project working for the homeless and disadvantaged of Luton.

As we have to know about a wide range of agencies offering support in the town and do much of our work by networking with them, I do feel I have a good understanding of voluntary sector issues and 'fight our corner' whenever necessary. I also feel I have a good grasp of a range of health, welfare and social issues. I do not 'bang the drum' purely about homelessness, I see this as just one issue that is part of a whole picture of disadvantaged and exclusion.

i think it is importantthat I am a Luton Resident, so bring that understanding of our wonderfully diverse town into my assembly representative role. I have been involved with Grassroots and the setting up and events of the Luton Council of Faiths locally, taught in Zimbabwe and have facilitated racial awareness training around the country, therefore have an understanding of discrimination and of the need to draw on the strengths of different cultures and groups for the mutual benefit of all. I studied Environmental Chemistry at University because of a commitmnet to preserving the environment, and am also concerned with issues such as fair trade and ethical purposes in order to try and create a sustainable lifestyle.