Hello

From a young age, I was immersed in childcare, helping my mum, who was a childminder, look after a house full of children every day. As I got older, I began attending a youth centre, where I developed social skills and learned the value of group work. I would take these lessons home and teach the children in my mum’s care about topics like bullying, standing up for themselves, and other important life lessons.

At 18, I began working as a youth worker, facilitating sessions in various youth groups across London. I then pursued youth training and became a qualified youth worker. Over the years, I worked in six youth centres across the borough, leading intensive youth sessions in schools and providing behavioural support and management. I was part of the lunch club and after-school club teams, ran evening sessions, organized UK-based trips and residentials abroad, and was responsible for overseeing the Youth Achievement Awards. My dedication and experience led me to progress from youth worker to deputy manager and eventually centre manager of one of the youth facilities.

Seeking new opportunities, I took on a role in Manchester as a youth tutor, working within schools to establish a community youth forum that brought together young people from various local high schools. One of our biggest achievements was organizing a trip to London, where the young people met with our local MP at the Houses of Parliament to learn about the political system firsthand.

Later, I moved back to London to take on a role in Croydon, in youth participation before stepping away to focus on my own family. During this time, I started running Zumba classes and created parenting courses which were commissioned and run in various boroughs. Many years later, I became a foster carer, a role I am still in today, caring for four children who have been with me for the past six years.