What I would like to explore in this mission is how I came to be an Edgeryder and what interests me outside of here and why it’s important for everyone to have an interest in shaping their own world.
To start I was raised in a very politically aware household. Whilst I was growing up my mum stood for council and was an active member of my schools parent/teacher association. Then she had what I had now; a desire to be able to make the world a better place. She raised me to believe that I could achieve whatever I put in my mind to do, and without that support, and political knowledge my interests and career wouldn’t be where they are now.
I have, for most of my career, worked in the public sector - usually local government and government sponsored bodies. Regardless of the area of expertise, I always found it reassuring that there was someone in the world who knew how to understand the laws and practices of government, as to your average person there is very little chance they have to understand the motivations of government and how their decisions effect the daily lives of the general public.
My work is mostly a support worker mostly involved in administration and communications; the ability to communicate in a way that is open and understood by everyone is something I feel very strongly about, but I’ve always been interested in the policy sector that I find myself supporting more often than not, yet I have longed to find my own way in to being more actively involved in this area but due to my lack of a university education I’ve never really got anywhere. Then I met Vinay, and I was invited along to his Truth and Beauty events. There I was able to discuss things that mattered to me, and others, without feeling that my lack of education restricted me in anyway. My passion was what was important. I know plenty of learned people who can fill in the details for me, but without passion, very little gets done.
From Truth and Beauty, I discovered Edgeryders, and having this forum to be able to speak, and to read others inspiring stories has allowed me to realise that I can be a part of a movement that can change the world, and where my opinion is respected and in some cases, sought out. It is a truly inspiring project to be a part of and I look forward to meeting up with a lot of you in Strasbourg where I could well create projects and relationships that may bring about yet more positive change to the lives of those who may not have as much of a voice for whatever reason. Hopefully then I may inspire others to take up their own path to being the change they wish to see in the world.
