The official launch of our Poetry group was held on 22 May 2013 with distinguished poets Brian Johnstone, JL Williams and Alec Beattie at the Persevere Bar in Leith (formerly Percy Poets). I had just returned from a serious illness and was keen to continue my dream of intercommunity work integrating all levels of poetry together inspired by years working in Venezuela and loving the community arts. Thanks to the an inspiriing workshop held by respected poet Jenny Lindsay at the University of… Show more The official launch of our Poetry group was held on 22 May 2013 with distinguished poets Brian Johnstone, JL Williams and Alec Beattie at the Persevere Bar in Leith (formerly Percy Poets). I had just returned from a serious illness and was keen to continue my dream of intercommunity work integrating all levels of poetry together inspired by years working in Venezuela and loving the community arts. Thanks to the an inspiriing workshop held by respected poet Jenny Lindsay at the University of Edinburgh and the encouragement of Inky Fingers founder, respected poet, Harry Giles and the great Inky Fingers volunteers, this lead to working with writer, Johnni Stanton, then being totally awe struck once again by the incredible history of the Craigmillar Arts Festival and the heroine that is Helen Crummy. It all began back in October 2010 with Inky Fingers and then in February 2012 when Inky Fingers was invited by Craigmillar Writers Group (now Craigmillar Poets) to collaborate in a stunning event for World Community Arts Day at Artspace in Craigmillar. Performers included Eleanor Livingstone, Telfer & Treeby, Milton Balgoni, community arts hero Andrew Crummy and a whole host of readers from Inky Fingers including respected poets Rachel McCrum and Katherine McMahon and the then Craigmillar Writers Group. For some of the latter, reading their work publicly was a first. The event proved a triumph, and more importantly, a springboard for poets in Craigmillar to develop their own events as well as attend other events such as10Red and local events. Show less

Working with an active writers group in Craigmillar who aim to support and encourage writers within the community through social networks, events, workshops and festivals. My work includes event planning, social media and co-ordinating with our current partners Inky Fingers Edinburgh. Engaging in dialogue; growing audience and participation through creative and imaginative approaches

Working at high level conferences as a Host with the award winning Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

My position was extremely challenging as it involved with tact and diplomacy setting up an office in Abu Dhabi. I was succesful in doing so but unfortunately had to return to Scotland at that time due to family commitments. CIOB was a fantastic company and I would love to work for them in some capacity in the future if a job ever came up again.