Tell us about yourself...
I’m a Scunthorpe girl born and bred. I’ve lived every day of my 40 years in the town and I’m proud to say this is my hometown. I’ve studied from Scunthorpe and I’ve worked all over the country using our lovely town as my base.
I am a Marketing and Social Media consultant, my business (Evolve Business Developments) is 11 years old and I work with businesses in North Lincolnshire and across the UK. For 8 years I also hosted The Business Network South Humberside where I connected businesses from North and North East Lincolnshire ensuring the determination, services and expertise of local businesses was promoted at every opportunity.
Alongside working in the business community I am also an associate lecturer for the University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University, I teach on modules linked to Marketing, Leadership, Research, Entrepreneurship, Managing and Developing People and much more.
I am also a volunteer in the Scunthorpe community through two different roles.
My longest volunteer role is that of a Support Volunteer for Scunthorpe Samaritans, I focus on fundraising and publicity and over the past 10 years I have organised group Wingwalks, skydives, community runs, 140ft abseils and the first service bus fully wrapped advertising the 116123 phone number. I have lost count of how much money I have supported the charity to raise and I am proud the Charity does great work in our area.
I am also a board member for Ongo Communities. The social enterprise branch of the local housing association supports members of the community with work related skills and support. We are committed to making a difference in our community and I thoroughly enjoy being part of the board and supporting the team where I can.
What brought you to Scunthorpe Tomorrow?
With being from Scunthorpe and still living here I’m passionate about the area. There are lots of positives to Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire but sometimes I hear local people forgetting about those elements – it’s an easy thing to do. I want to be part of the buzz promoting the area and showing the rest of the UK we’re not the “forgotten relative” some of our older generations feel we are.
My work and social background also reminds me that not everyone in the area has it “easy”. There are pockets of our town that do not see the positives, and this can be linked to social deprivation, digital poverty, literacy challenges and much more. I want to ensure these areas and these communities are not forgotten and we promote Scunthorpe and the work of Scunthorpe Tomorrow in a diverse and inclusive way.
What are you looking to achieve from your involvement?
The unmeasurable butterfly effect - I will never know if the bus driving around North Lincolnshire promoting Scunthorpe Samaritans has made someone call the Samaritans charity and that they’ve decided to reach out for help instead of taking their own life – the same feeling applies with my involvement with Scunthorpe Tomorrow.
I don’t feel I’ll be able to know exactly what my achievement is … I don’t know if I need to know, it’s a butterfly effect. If the positivity and buzz of Scunthorpe Tomorrow starts to seep into the conversations in the area and the conversation starts to change with residents and other business owners we will all feel it.
From a business perspective I enjoy working with local businesses. I enjoy showing the world what the town has to offer.
What do you see as the main opportunities for our area in the next few years?
I’ve answered this thinking about opportunities we can all get involved in – regardless of our work role or background:
The opportunities available through the UCNL (University Campus North Lincolnshire) are invaluable to our local community. Having access to education from a central location will help individuals in our area tap into their potential. Many in our community have imposter syndrome or a limited belief of how they can make a difference – I feel courses and education through UCNL and other providers will enable us to develop the area together.
I’m so very excited to see where the Rugby in the local community takes us. Our Rugby Union team have an exciting vision for the next few years and the club have just launched a Rugby League team – you heard it here first … Rugby is going to be an exciting opportunity for Scunthorpe 😊.
What’s your top recommendation to any visitor to North Lincolnshire?
We have some amazing places to visit and enjoy:
Free & Outside: Head to Central Park, walk along Bottesford Beck, Walk the Alkborough Flats, or wander around Ashby Ville Nature Reserve,
Free & Inside: The museum has some fascinating exhibitions – too many people forget it’s there because we’re so used to seeing it, they change the information regularly so always worth a trip
Cost attached: Normanby Hall, Play Avenue (Messingham), Heslam Park (watch the Cricket or the Rugby), check out what is on at Plowright Theatre or The Baths Hall.
And then head to one of the locally owned pubs / restaurants – some of my Scunthorpe favourites include: Honest Lawyer, Heslam Park, Steel Town Bar, San Pietro, The Greek Kitchen, Lavo, The Malt Shovel,
Areas of Expertise
Marketing, business networking, start ups
Scunthorpe Tomorrow is a network of people who are passionate about Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire. Through building on our strengths, we are committed to helping deliver a better future for our community.