I was born and brought up in Liverpool. Most of our family holidays were and continue to be spent in North Wales.

I have two children. My daughter is training to be a teacher. My son is at Manchester University studying Mandarin and Zoology.

I live in Llanedeyrn. I am actively involved in my local community. As a school governor at Llanedeyrn High School and Ysgol y Berllan Deg, I want to ensure all children have the best possible start in life.

I am a regular participant at PACT meetings to try and ensure the police and Cardiff Council are working effectively with the community to design out crime and make us feel safe.

I am a Champion for Children, committed to giving every child the best start in life, by tackling inequality and social exclusion and transforming children’s services to better meet their needs.

I want to ensure our health and social services are effectively tackling inequalities and constantly identifying ways to improve community and hospital services

I work in partnership with the voluntary and community sector, locally, nationally and internationally. As Chair of a grant giving charity, I understand the importance of capacity building, targeting the most effective organisation to meet particular needs, and evaluating the quality of services.

I manage services for pregnant women, mothers and babies in prison. I collaborate with a whole host of organisations on ways to reduce the number of parents in or returning to prison.

Work Experience

2002-2007:  Programme Manager of a high achieving Sure Start programme.

• Created two children’s centres including an award-winning new building which has helped regenerate the local area.

• Created a national pathfinder ante natal service in an award winning Children’s Centre, with continuity of care through a post natal group and a baby clinic.

• Collaborated with tenants’ associations and community organisations to build a board of parents and community representatives which was effective in addressing housing problems, drugs, crime and fear of crime which impacted on the life chances of young children.

Writer and broadcaster

1979- 1987 Reporter-Researcher on World In Action, flagship current affairs programme of Granada Television.

1987-1988: Producer, A Matter of Life and Debt a 3 part series for Channel 4 on the international debt crisis – a topical subject at the moment!

1989-1996: BBC Producer, The Money Programme, weekly current affairs television programme.

Freelance contributor to the Guardian, The Liverpool Daily Post, the New Statesman and The Times.
Health Experience

2002-2006: Lay Member, Professional Executive Committee of Islington Primary Care Trust (PCT) including chair of the Cancer Screening Committee. 

2000-2001: Chair of Health Action Zone Partnership for Camden & Islington.

1999-2002: Board Member of North Islington Primary Care Group.

1999-2003: Chair of a Maternity Services Liaison Committee; member for 15 years.

1996-2003: Chair of Independent Review Panels of Complaints for NHS London.

1985-1995: Member, Bloomsbury  Community Health Council.
Labour Councillor for Islington, North London, 1998-2002.

Lead opposition member for Social Services 2000-2002.

Chair, pilot Health Scrutiny Panel 2001-2002.

Chair, Under Fives Committee for Education and Social Services 1998-2000.

Vice-Chair, Education Committee 1998-2000.

Qualifications

BA Government (Latin America), University of Essex, 1972.

National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership, London Metropolitan University, 2006.

Languages

Fluent French and Spanish.

Some Italian, Portuguese and Welsh.

Trade Union: Unite
 
Member of the Cooperative Party; Compass; Progress; the Fabian Society; the Socialist Health Association.