 My grandfather had been a councillor for Peckworth Royal District Council and I thought the time had come when I would like to do something for my community and help with the community's future. There was an election and I stood and got on as a representative for Peckworth and I've been there ever since. I became a county councillor in 2013 and the main reasons for becoming one is to serve the people of Hennessy, the town that I lived in for the past 35 years. I've just come out of my residence surgery, I was talking with residents about a number of things right from quite small issues around a tree on a particular residential street through to things like Brexit. The most rewarding thing about being a county councillor is actually being able to make a difference so from small things from people that have issues just on their doorstep it's quite wide county-wide things that you can actually change and make a difference for them. We had somebody coming with a long-standing issue around highway is relating to a planning application and we've seen them probably monthly for an update over the last six months or so. It's a really useful way to meet people and catch up on some of the issues in the village. The public role that you need to have is being a people's person to start with and to listen to the issues and understand the issues of the general public of your area and that is the key to being successful as a county councillor. Being a councillor working full-time does have its challenges but it's all about managing your time really. I'll work four or five different jobs. It isn't always easy because the most important thing in my life is my family but I do have a lot of support at home. When I get back from council work I'm very keen to sit in the garden. When I was first approached by someone to stand as a county councillor I didn't think I'd be able to do it because I had three young children including a two-year-old and I said no but actually after a while I realised it might work around my family life and it's proved that it does actually. It's a blessing that plus being a county councillor can be quite time consuming but as long as you plan your day and you plan your week then it's worth it. I have most of my meetings in the daytime which means I can fit them in around the school run at each end of the day which is great. I get to spend that time with my family that I would anyway. Occasionally evening meetings but County Council has childcare allowances for people in my situation so I can get the babysitting that I may need. It just seems to work pretty well with family life. We have the elections coming up soon for the county council and as far as we have as much diversity as many different people from different walks of life are standing to be elected for the people of West Sussex. I lost my first election but that didn't stop me from being determined to win and I won the hearts of the people of Hamilton's Town so I encourage all walks of life to come along, be a member and give it a go. It is rewarding.