Then in my 30s I focussed on trying to stop the worst impacts of Tory austerity and their agenda to divide people. I’ve done all sorts of projects, from training TUC organisers to becoming an active volunteer – regularly doing the Kiltwalk to fundraise for Who Cares? Scotland and volunteering on the boards of IPPR, The Center for Countering Digital Hate, The Labour Climate and Environment Forum, Larger Us, The Civic Power Fund and the Climate Coalition.
In 2015 I joined one of the world’s biggest children’s charities. I lead a team of 160 to deliver award-winning campaigns and our programmes supporting families across the UK. I know I’m lucky to absolutely love my job but I am completely sick of standing in food pantries watching people depending on charity to feed their families. Sick of having my arm around parents who can’t change their baby’s dirty nappy as they can’t afford more. Sick of hearing about people who work hard but can’t put on the heating because there’s too much month left at the end of the money.
There’s nothing I can do in my day job that will ever make as big a difference to our communities as Labour in government does. That’s what’s brought me back to politics. That’s what I’m here to do. And that’s why I’m asking for your support.