Although only recently arrived as part of the MensCraft team, I’ve been working with Norfolk’s Men’s Sheds for over six years now – supporting the existing ones and developing new ones within local communities across the county. Men’s Sheds are places where people can come together to connect, converse and create, as well as engage with and enhance their local communities. They are great places to share skills and learn new ones, or just for a cuppa and a chat, but the ongoing health and wellbeing of those who participate is the primary reason they exist. The Norfolk Sheds Network now stretches to 30 sheds, with several more in the pipeline.

I’ve now spent over 27 years working in the voluntary and community sector, supporting both voluntary organisations and volunteers, usually helping both individuals and groups to ‘take their next step’ and offer support and reassurance as they do so. It’s immensely rewarding to help people unlock their interests, skills and talents and put them to good use for those around them! I’ve been a rural development officer for North Norfolk, set up the North Norfolk Volunteer Centre in Cromer, covered the whole East of England for ‘Re-Engage’, and even found myself helping Men’s Sheds in Suffolk too! Prior to all this (and after a brief flirtation with the insurance industry) I was a modern languages teacher for several years, as well as a boarding house tutor at Wymondham College.

Away from work, I’ve recently served as a trustee of Centre 81 in Gt Yarmouth and am currently on the management committee of Overstrand Sports Club.

I currently play piano/keyboards for a North Norfolk-based band, Soul Alliance, and also enjoy a wide range of music, but especially pretty much anything by Paul McCartney, the Pet Shop Boys, Neil Finn and Depeche Mode. I also speak fluent French and like getting out and seeing the world…when I can afford to!