A bit about me
I believe that through hard work we can make the world a better place.
Since I was little, I've always believed we should all try, in whatever way we can, to help make the world around us that little bit better.
Growing up
I grew up desperately wanting to be a pilot, being able to look down on an almost perfect version of the world from up there in the clouds. Maybe as an escape, perhaps just a deep love for the look of planes and the smell of kerosene. Regardless, as a kid I spent the majority of my weekends and evenings, addicted to Flight Simulator, plowing endless hours into building up my own little virtual world. Learning to fly online, code, create websites, design logos and a whole lot more, all alongside some guys who have become lifelong friends.
Getting political
That creativity led me to politics when, during my time at high school - focused on music and drama, and a relatively unhealthy obsession with the Eurovision Song Contest - I helped run a youth music project. Often managing to get myself in the local paper - much to the delight of my grandparents - I organised events like concerts and carnivals all across Norfolk and Suffolk. It was cuts to the youth service that funded us that got me into campaigning. This led me to the Labour Party, and an activism that only grew since - particularly after losing half my hearing, and turning away from music, going on to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Hull University.
Studying in Hull
Even my degree ended up sidetracked by 'real' politics - all thanks to signing up to the Labour Club, becoming a student officer and then also working with the late, and very great, former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. In this time I oversaw one of the largest campaigns in the country against the rise in tuition fees, campaigned to tackle homelessness in Hull and East Riding and made crime and policing a regional issue. I learned a lot about change from John and those around me, and I learned even more about myself.
Coming out
After a casual 20-ish years or so, I (finally) came out as gay. Growing up in the countryside had been remote, but I was lucky enough to come of age at a time of emerging, legal equality and a changing society, only strengthened further by technology. I owe a lot to a rather unreliable dial-up internet connection, as well as some very good friends for the advice and support I was able to get at my fingertips. I was able to educate myself about the experiences of the community and learn more about who I was as an LGBT+ person, despite attempts in the 1990s and 2000s to stop us finding ourselves and others.
Moving to London
Shaped by my experiences, and passionate about the ability of community, creativity and technology to drive change in society, I was then lucky enough to move to London to be part of the London 2012 Olympic Games - a movement and a moment I shared a deep connection and affection for. London has since become my home, and over the last many years I've had the privilege of working with so many change makers including Stella Creasy MP, a whole host of amazing activists, thinkers and campaigners at the National Union of Students and students' unions across the country, as well as the late but utterly awe-inspiring Dame Tessa Jowell.
My work
I am proud to continue to work with leaders to help make change happen everyday. Through this I aim to pursue my belief that upon each of us is a responsibility to work as hard as we can hard towards a better future, never relying on just hope alone to make things better. I see good work not just as rewarding, but purposeful, and a chance for us to make our mark on a world hurtling round at a thousand miles an hour. That's no small task, but one that with dedication, support, challenge and a little humour, I know we can achieve together. I occasionally write about my adventures on this journey, and what I think is most important for us to keep sight of.
Also, no, Alan Partridge is not a relation.