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Being a councillor is both a rewarding and a challenging role. I am one of the two councillors for Bentilee, Ubberley and Townsend, first elected in May 2023. I decided to stand for election because I wanted to help shape policies and secure investment that genuinely benefit the community and the place I live.

Bentilee is home. I have lived in the area for most of my life, and much of my immediate and extended family still live here. Over time, I have seen how the area has changed — the loss of local services, fewer places for people to connect, and a growing sense that decisions are too often made about communities rather than with them.

Before becoming a councillor, I spent over a decade working in the voluntary sector. I supported people navigating the criminal justice system, advised food bank users on financial matters, and helped local residents deal with systems that can often feel stacked against them. That experience shapes how I work today: practical, straight-talking, and focused on achieving real outcomes for real people. While the voluntary sector does incredible work, it is too often left to pick up the pieces of local and national policies that fail vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. I want to help change that.

Everything I do as a councillor is guided by a simple question: how will this decision affect the most vulnerable in our society?

The role of a councillor is far wider than many people realise. Some people associate it with community engagement, others with representing residents in local decision-making. In reality, much of the work happens behind the scenes. Councillors sit on a wide range of committees, from licensing alcohol and taxis to determining planning applications. There is also a vital scrutiny role, where councillors from all political parties examine the work of council departments and challenge whether decisions are genuinely improving residents’ lives.

There are still far too few women in local government. Alongside representing my residents, I actively champion equality for women in decision-making, because councils should better reflect the communities they serve.

Since being elected, I have worked on shaping the council’s corporate strategy and contributed to improvements in SEND provision, the Domestic Abuse Strategy, re-opening of a Credit Union and the Anti-Poverty Strategy. I am currently working on education and skills, with a focus on improving opportunity and access to learning at all ages.

My priority is rebuilding community connection, opportunity, and trust — especially for younger people, who deserve to feel heard, represented, and able to shape the future of where they live. Politics should feel accessible, relevant, and worth engaging with, not distant or outdated.

If you live in Bentilee, Ubberley or Townsend, this is your community and your voice matters. My job is to make sure it is heard.