I am 29 and before working for Wyre Borough Council had a variety of jobs. My last job was working with a private consultancy in Manchester, working on housing and regeneration. Before that I volunteered for 6 months with Groundwork. I graduated in geography and worked for the civil service but I have always been interested in regeneration and wanted to do something with my degree. Volunteering was my stepping stone.

I applied to Wyre because I wanted to work for a local authority. Getting the job meant a new home, new place and new circle of friends. I started as a Regeneration Support Officer, providing support to the market town partnerships and managing European funding for projects in Cleveleys and Fleetwood. I was also involved in the Fleetwood Masterplan and the Investment Strategy for Poulton.

Recently I have moved over to Economic Development, working across the sub region with partners and colleagues other authorities on the Local Area Agreement providing support and advice to businesses in Wyre.

What I like about Wyre is that it is a small council and my job is not pigeon holed. Day to day I can be working on anything from consultations, European Funding, to working with partners developing business opportunities. Wyre is also an area of contrast. I can be working in Fleetwood which has similar issues to big cities in terms of deprivation; working on tourism and seasonal employment with the coastal strip and thinking about the different needs and aspirations of rural farming communities.

In the council, staff are friendly and it is also easy to get to know people and make friends. It is a family atmosphere both within my department and the wider council. When I first started I met the chief exec within the first few weeks and was invited to a meeting he was holding. In other jobs, the chief executive was much more distant.

My best day in Wyre was the launch of the Wyred Up event. This was the first time I had been involved in a project of this scale and nature. Before hand I was slightly apprehensive. Wyre Power were the key note speakers and we were ready to go when there was a power cut in the area. I went to Morrisons and bought 500 candles and Wyred Up was launched by candlelight! We had gone on to deliver 2 more similar events.