I am Sheffield born and bred, and have lived in a council flat in the Heeley/ Arbourthorne area for the past 14 years.  In that time, I have volunteered briefly with several local initiatives such as editing the New Heeley Voice, driving for Community Transport as well as some national based human rights campaign work, including work with the former Sheffield Health Authority.

I completed my studies at Sheffield Hallam University in 2004 when I was 36, and now work as a Social Worker in Adult Care within the neighbouring county of Derbyshire.

I have been a Labour voter in the past, and I stood as a candidate for the Liberal Democrats in 2002, but joined the Green Party because of their persistence on climate change and their focus on local people and their communities. Housing, transport, poverty and the local economy are key issues in the ward.

We’re lucky to have good local transport such as the Supertram, along with measures to slow down traffic. However, bus services are under threat and future profiteering price rises must be opposed. I am also keen to explore with local people the issue of increasing fuel and energy prices. We need to learn how to live more sustainably to reduce poverty and, more importantly, improve the quality of life for people living in the area.

There is an urgent need to change our lifestyles to address climate change. I have an allotment and now look to buy locally grown produce from a major supermarket. I need to drive for my job but have a small car and keep mileage to a minimum. However I have a disability with mnerve damage in my legs, which means I can walk for miles one day, and pay for it the next; I still use public transport as often as I can. Every individual step helps!

I am incredibly worried about the concept of Peak Oil that is creeping up on our society without people being aware, perhaps even on the borderline of paranoia! We are running out of oil, we only have a finite resource, prices are going up as oil resources are depleted and demand for oil increases. This will have a disastrous effect on our society as our addiction for oil will lead us to economic collapse, and we are not ready. We are already seeing the effects of rising oil prices and a European Country on the verge of financial collapse. As I say, I am worried about this and believe we all need to adjust in preparation for those changes ahead!

I now enjoy a more creative role within the Sheffield Green Party, so you will see me taking many photos for our publicity needs within the various media we use, such as local news, facebook and our website here.