I am a time served fitter, having served my apprenticeship at Chilwell Depot I have had many jobs including salesman and delivery driver. I have always been actively involved in working to improve the lives of people who suffer disadvantage through lack of opportunity and more recently those with disabilities. I am the co-founder and Chairman of a local Charity that provides training and employment for excluded young people and adults and young people with learning disabilities and I have served on the committees of other local charities over the years. My most recent paid job has been Policy and Campaigns Co-ordinator for Arthritis Care, raising awareness and campaigning for better services for those who have this largely hidden and misunderstood condition, as many as 20% of the population. I developed Arthritis myself in my 50’s. I was interested in politics from an early age, I benefitted from parents who encouraged us to form and articulate our views, and then gently steered us away from the crass and simplistic. They instilled in me the determination to look at an issue from all angles before forming a view.I joined the Labour Party in 1973 and first became a County Councillor in Beeston in 1981. I have served on both Nottinghamshire County Council and Broxtowe Borough Council and been able to assist with local issues and organise many improvements for local residents. I have been a School Governor and have served on the committees of Beeston Volunteer Centre and the Youth and Community Centre.