My background was in law and economics, but I’d always had an interest in Local Government. I suppose that’s because I wanted to give something back, and feel like I was actually making a positive impact on people’s lives. Local Government seemed like a good vehicle for me to do that in a tangible way. And the ngdp was the perfect place to start.
It’s lived up to my expectations. I felt the impact that I was making from day one. Because my first project put me right on the frontline. There’s a high level of deprivation in the east of the council where I work and, to help regenerate the area, a business centre had been developed to encourage new enterprises into the area. It was up to me to market the centre’s office space and conference facilities. In the short term, that meant offering a really valuable opportunity to businesses. But in the long term it means that I’ve had a role in fuelling the growth of this initiative, and tackling deprivation in the area.
Now I’m on my second project, and it’s more office-based, but just as interesting. I’m writing the Ethnic Minority Housing Strategy for Merton. The strategy has to incorporate the latest government drivers in this area and highlight local concerns that housing services need to focus on. So – although I’m working in an office most of the time – I’m helping people in a practical way and delivering real benefits.
Whatever project I’m working on, I find that the skills I’ve already developed are invaluable. You have to be versatile and ready to turn your hand to just about anything: research, giving presentations, writing project plans, or consulting with local people and stakeholders. The variety certainly keeps me on my toes. I’m constantly building on my expertise as well as developing new skills. I think the NGDP gives you a wealth of experience, and whatever you do in the future, that experience will prove invaluable.