Community

This is some of the work that I have got involved with in my local community.

Highlights

Company director & charity trustee

Solent Youth Action

At the age of 24, I launched a new independent youth charity, created to address a need in my community.

I went on to be the chair of the board of trustees of a charity employing twenty-four people with offices in five towns, managing over £660k per year.

Volunteer

Code Club

I started a weekly after-school computer programming club at my local primary school.

School Governor

Norwood Primary School

I was responsible for raising school standards through setting strategic direction, working to ensure accountability and monitoring performance – helping to lead through a period of significant change.

I also chaired the Curriculum Committee and took a lead on overseeing ICT provision within the school.

Charity trustee

Samaritans

In addition to my role as a listening volunteer, I was a Trustee for my local branch. I also had day-to-day management responsibilities as a ‘Day Leader’, responsible for the branch for a 24-hour shift. I also organised training for other trustees across the region.

Mentor

rethink and The Princes Trust

I spent several years as a long-term mentor for young people leaving public care, supporting their transition to independence.

College teacher

Southampton City College

I taught weekly evening college classes in basic adult literacy. I obtained a City & Guilds initial certificate in teaching for this.

Other activities

IBM Blue Fusion

I was an organiser of the largest single community event in the IBM UK calendar, where seventy schools sent pupils to Hursley Park for a week of specially-prepared science and technology activities.

Bellemoor Secondary School

I was the Project Leader for a two-year project between IBM and Bellemoor School, working with them to find ways how IBM’s skills and resources could add value to the education of their pupils.

Crisis Open Christmas

I work as a Volunteer at the Crisis Shelter in South London over Christmas. The work involves helping out with the running of the Centre and talking to visitors.

Amnesty International

I was a member of Amnesty International’s Urgent Action Network – a group of people who write in protest of human rights violations across the world.

Mentoring Plus

I was a mentor with Mentoring Plus – a youth crime prevention project. It involved working with a young adult on an intensive mentoring and education programme over the course of a year.

Crime Concern

I helped with Crime Concern’s youth work programme, supporting and working with young offenders and young adults considered at risk of offending.

Bath University Students’ Union Vice President

After graduating, I spent a year as Vice President of my University Students’ Union, a trustee of a large, professional organisation with varied activities.