What do you do to be involved in the community?
Over the last twenty-five years I have been involved in my community in a wide variety of practical, educational and voluntary roles. I began as a parent assistant at my local primary school and became active in a range of community activities in Lewes, from helping make torches for one of the town’s Bonfire Societies to contributing to local volunteer groups and events.
Teaching my own children to swim gradually evolved into teaching and coaching other people’s children. Over time I gained the qualifications required to teach and coach swimming at the highest age-group level, and I have now worked as a professional age-group swim coach in the region for more than twenty years. I also spent the best part of eight years teaching youngsters to sail.
For the last nine years I have served as an active elected Green Party town councillor, supporting the town through committee work ranging from grants and finance to planning and environmental matters.
Alongside this, I volunteer for the Woodland Trust and have identified more than 500 notable, veteran and ancient trees for survey and recording. I also lead public walks introducing people to some of the remarkable trees and landscapes in the area.
More generally, I try to contribute in practical day-to-day ways — litter picking, reporting and pursuing pothole repairs, helping resolve blocked footpaths and access issues, and supporting the upkeep and wellbeing of the local environment and community wherever I can.
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