Areas of expertise
Forming new alliances; recognising common interests; crossing boundaries; joined-up thinking and working; actualising potential.
Civil Society; cultural, social and spiritual capital; diversity, equity and inclusion; community media
Intercultural awareness, collaboration and competence; inter faith literacy, dialogue and action.
Funding, support and training; Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SWSC) Development; Religious Education (RE).
About Me
Bahá’í
I’ve been a Bahá’í since my teens and have long tried to live up to the Bahá’í principles of consultation, inclusion and justice. Probably my favourite quotation from the Bahá’í texts is “Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self” which I’ve adopted as the guiding principle in my work.
Glaswegian
Everyone comes from somewhere. I’m proud of the place where I was born and raised – Glasgow – and also of the city I’ve lived in half my life – Leicester. You’ll find the best of both worlds in my work.
Interculturalist
I was pleasantly surprised when a colleague described me as “naturally culturally curious”. I’ve always been interested in what other people believe, how they live, their aspirations in life – and how we can all get along with each other.
Optimist
I was pleasantly surprised when a colleague described me as “naturally culturally curious”. I’ve always been interested in what other people believe, how they live, their aspirations in life – and how we can all get along with each other.
35 years' experience
City Mayor’s Office, Leicester City Council (2013–2021)
Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Engagement Manager, forging positive relations between Leicester City Council and the diverse groups and organisations that make up the city’s Voluntary, Community and Social enterprise sector.
Developing the city-wide strategy for the city council’s engagement with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector in Leicester.
Working with groups and organisations representing faith, cultural and ethnic communities in their response to and recovery from the pandemic and its attendant lockdowns.
Leicester Council of Faiths (2006–2013)
Equality & Diversity Officer, promoting cooperation, trust and understanding among the faith communities of Leicester.
Creating accurate and accessible information about the city’s faith and cultural communities as print, display and social media assets.
Recognising and advancing the city’s spiritual capital.
Regional Equality & Diversity Partnership (2008–12)
Representing Leicester Council of Faiths in a dynamic partnership alongside Leicester LGBT Centre, Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL) and The Race Equality Centre (TREC).
Critiquing and refining content of what would become the Equality Act 2010.
Delivering information, advice and guidance on the Protected Characteristics, in the form of equality audits, staff and volunteer training, conferences and networking events.
Leicester Adult Skills & Learning Service (2003–2009)
Teaching English Language, English Literature and communication skills at all levels, from basic literacy to BA Hons.
Main subject: Creative Writing – especially for adults with long-term mental health issues.
Helping students turn their life experiences into stories.
NEBOSH – National Examination Board on Occupational Safety & Health (2003–2009)
Special Projects Officer, designing and implementing innovative awards for Further Education colleges offering Occupational Safety and Health as part of their curriculum.
Raising standards in teaching and learning within subject area.
Promoting NEBOSH’s services to emerging international markets.
Bahá’í Publishing Trust (1988–2003)
Publication, import and distribution of literature and audio-visual materials for and to the Bahá’í community in the UK and beyond.
Marketing and promotion of books and other materials through trade events and publications.
Development of a line of products drawing out relevance and significance of Bahá’í teachings for contemporary scene.
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