My background before joining Unlimited Potential

Prior to joining Unlimited Potential, I had worked for nine years (since graduating) in urban regeneration projects across the north of England for a large architectural and planning private sector practice. My job was made redundant when the cranes stopped during the 2008 financial crash. Post redundancy and prior to Unlimited Potential, I spent some time writing a World Heritage Management Plan for the Lake District, where I am from, and some time being a head chef in a small community deli.

On joining Unlimited Potential, I instantly became aware of the social enterprise sector and realised it was the one for me!

My role at Unlimited Potential

Whilst at Unlimited Potential, I was the Community Engagement Co-ordinator for the Health Communities Collaborative. We used fun, creative and innovative techniques through use of local volunteer teams to raise awareness about serious illnesses and lifestyle factors that were robbing local people of their lives too early (and their quality of life before that).

What most benefitted me from being with Unlimited Potential and what difference it made to me

I learned a huge amount of things at Unlimited Potential that I use today. It also brought out some character traits that I did not know existed. I permeate these in all my work today. The first was centred on the strengths or assets-based approach – it really works! Secondly, the five ways to well-being has also been important learning and my work now, around nature and health, ticks every one of these, so it is a perfect example to refer to. Finally, I learned about social innovation and co-design: how collective and creative ways to address social and economic problems can fast track success and maximise impact. I also benefitted from generous training and approaches to looking after a staff team, such as well-being at work and personal development plans.

What I have gone on to do/achieve since I left Unlimited Potential

I (unfortunately) had to leave Unlimited Potential when the project came to an end; I was gutted! However, given I was keen to start a family, working closer to home in Manchester was probably more suitable.

I joined a small social enterprises called Sow the City CIC, as co-Director. We create green spaces in urban places. We have grown from doing small projects in primary schools, to working with homeless people, people in recovery and broad community groups. We then started working with the NHS and delivered a national pilot centred around green social prescribing. We now work for Mayor Andy Burnham on his manifesto pledge called the Green Spaces Fund, and also are involved in the innovative People’s Plans for Nature, called nature neighbourhoods. I love this work as it helps address the climate and biodiversity crisis, provides social benefits, such as better health and community cohesion, and provides economic benefits like boosted skills, volunteering or new products (food) and services (social prescribing) being sold.