To understand how I got here, you need to understand a little of my history.
I grew up surrounded by theatre, dance and music and was convinced a career in theatre was my destiny. While studying A-level Theatre Studies, one of my lecturers noticed that although I could analyse Shakespeare, adapt scripts and understand characters with ease, my written work didn’t reflect my ability. After years of struggling with spelling and numbers and assuming I simply wasn’t very clever, I was assessed and diagnosed with dyslexia. It was life changing.
I went on to work in hospitality, developing skills in customer service, communication, problem-solving and managing tricky situations, before eventually returning to theatre and live events. Working in stage production gave me the opportunity to manage projects, coordinate complex logistics and solve problems under pressure. It was also where I discovered an interest in improving systems and processes, including redesigning a staging quotation process to make it more efficient and commercially effective.
After having children, I stepped away from the events industry and retrained as a Teaching Assistant, where I developed a genuine interest in supporting people through challenging circumstances. Following a brief spell as a GP receptionist, I was ready for a new challenge and applied for an Administrative Assistant role with PGPA.
Imagine my surprise when I arrived for interview and discovered I was actually being interviewed for a Social Prescribing Link Worker role.
“Sorry,” I interrupted, “what role did you say you were interviewing me for?”
“SPLW,” they replied.
I explained that I had applied for the administrative post. “Have you seen my CV?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“And you shortlisted me for this role?”
“Yes.”
After a brief pause, I replied, “Well, why not interview me then?”
And so, they did.
Thankfully, they saw something in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself.
Joining PGPA helped me realise that the skills I had developed throughout my varied career were far more transferable than I had appreciated. Whether in hospitality, theatre, education or healthcare, the common thread had always been understanding people, solving problems and finding practical solutions.
Over time, I became increasingly involved in improving systems, developing processes and supporting wider projects. These opportunities allowed me to develop skills in project management, service improvement, change management and leadership. What began as a role supporting individuals gradually evolved into leading projects and helping shape services on a broader scale, ultimately leading me to my current role as Project Lead.
When I reflect on what has had the greatest impact on my development, the answer is simple: the women who believed in me.
Joanne Duffy looked beyond my application form and gave me my first opportunity as a Social Prescribing Link Worker. She encouraged me to contribute, supported me through setbacks and, most importantly, made me feel that my ideas and opinions mattered.
When I moved to the Lower Valley, Ella Fairbrother recognised my enthusiasm for improving systems and processes and trusted me to develop my ideas. She encouraged me to think bigger, challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and helped me build confidence in my abilities.
More recently, Anna Lunn has supported my transition into project leadership. She recognised both my determination to do things properly and my tendency to occasionally overcomplicate matters! Through her support, good humour and expertise, she has helped me develop my approach to leadership, change management and relationship building.
All three saw potential in me at times when I struggled to see it in myself. They understood that my dyslexia and neurodivergence can mean my spelling is sometimes a sight to behold, alongside an obsession with detail or a tendency to overthink. Throughout it all, they met me with honesty, patience, encouragement and belief.
What I am most proud of is not becoming a Project Lead, but the journey that got me there.
For much of my life, dyslexia left me questioning whether I was capable, intelligent or qualified enough. Looking back, every role, experience and challenge taught me something valuable and helped shape who I am today.
I’m proud that I kept learning, embraced opportunities that felt daunting and gradually built the confidence to back myself. For me, career progression isn’t just about promotions. It’s about growth, developing new skills and finding ways to make a meaningful contribution. Some of the most important moments in my career have been those that pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me discover strengths I didn’t know I had.
My advice is simple: don’t let self-doubt make decisions for you. You don’t need to have all the answers or follow a perfect career path to have something valuable to offer. Every role teaches you something, and the skills you gain along the way are often far more transferable than you realise.
Be open to learning, believe in yourself and remember that you probably bring more to the table than you think.