When did you join ELBA / BIG Alliance?
September 2022

What is your role and what does it involve?
I sit within the business skills team at the BIG Alliance. My role involves coordinating operational and strategic volunteering initiatives where volunteers utilise their professional skills and expertise to build capacity of community partners in Islington. A big part of my role is to meet community organisations in Islington, understand the challenges they are facing and utilise the skills and expertise of those in the corporate sector. I lead on some of the main programmes, such as Leaders in Partnership. In addition, I will now be working across the education team at BIG Alliance and will be leading on a school programme with one of our business partners. Finally, I am also part of many internal networks and committees within BIG and ELBA, including ELBA’s Inclusion Group (EIG), steering impact group and Salesforce Champs, and will be hoping to drive the new digital age!

Three words to describe yourself
Friendly, adventurous, empathetic.

Tell us one thing that people may not know about you
I volunteered in Burkina Faso for three months when I was 19. It was one of the best experiences and began my enthusiasm for volunteering. I worked with a charity that supported disabled children. I carried out advocacy work in schools and universities and provided support with fundraising to re-open a physiotherapy centre that supported children with disabilities in Ouagadougou.

Tell us the best thing about working for ELBA
Meeting our community partners and hearing about the work they do. There is an organisation for everything and they really are the heart and soul of the local community in Islington.

Name your favourite place in east London and why
I would have to say the canal by our office in Angel. Recently, we have started a lunch time wander along the canal and it is the highlight of my day! When the sun is out and everyone is walking their cute dogs, there is no better place!

Complete this sentence ‘The absolute best thing about volunteering is…’,
…opening the door to new opportunities, people and experiences.