I live and work in Hamilton. I moved there in December last year, having previously lived with my parents in Strathaven since 2010. I grew up in East Kilbride. I therefore remain substantially connected to Strathaven, Stonehouse and East Kilbride.
I am employed as a legal adviser and representative by Hamilton Citizen’s Advice Bureau, working mostly with vulnerable social tenants at risk of homelessness living across North and South Lanarkshire local authority areas.
I am embedded in third sector activities across North and South Lanarkshire Council. I have stood as a candidate in local elections on two occasions and was briefly involved in active campaigning including hustings alongside high profile MSPs during the Scottish independence referendum. I have recently become an active member of the economic reform campaign group Global Justice Now.
My employment has helped me to gain a deep insight into the impact of welfare reform policy at national level on the lives of residents of North and South Lanarkshire Council. It is a clear example of how inseparable politics is from the profoundly personal and individual. I therefore wish to focus on welfare reform.