I want to be NCT President … and this is why

This is the script that I used to record the video to support my nomination for NCT President. Voting opens 1 August. More about that on the NCT website. 

If you like what I believe in and stand for, visit and like my Facebook page over here.

I’m a passionate and committed advocate of NCT and its work to support parents and parents-to-be in those early months of transition in a world where we are literally bombarded with conflicting information.

I started volunteering in 2002, a few months after my first daughter was born. And I’m still volunteering now. Most recently as the roving photographer at the London Region Volunteer Day and at my local branch Nearly New Sale.

I know what it’s like to be vulnerable, to be lost, to be scared in those early months. I had severe postnatal depression after the birth of my first daughter, and again after my second daughter was born three years later.

My local NCT was a lifeline for me. I hadn’t done NCT classes but the parent-to-parent support was amazing. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if all parents, no matter their class, no matter their income, felt warmly welcomed and received that level of support. There is still that divide, isn’t there? Between NCT and non-NCT parents. I’d love NCT to be a truly accessible service for all parents.

This is an exciting time for NCT with the new CEO coming in. I bring a unique set of experiences to the role of NCT President. I’ve wanted this role ever since 2006 when I first watched Sue Saxey on stage at the Brighton anniversary conference. Sue was so inspirational. I knew then I would be an NCT member for life. I had just started my training as a breastfeeding counsellor and had recently taken on the role of branch coordinator. I was thrilled to be there again in 2010 when Sue was elected President. [I blogged about Sue being one of my heroes two years ago: Who is your inspiration?]

I have taken many volunteering roles at branch and regional level – I organised the first and very successful Pregnancy & Baby Fair for my branch; I’ve been newsletter editor; social media coordinator; website manager and so much more. I’ve been attending regional events since 2004 – at regional level, I’ve held a variety of roles from communications officer to Area Link to London Region Coordinator. While London Region Coordinator, I gained valuable insight into the workings of UK office and developed strong relationships with all the teams. I also got to understand the strength of feelings among branches and how this can sometimes lead to tension and frustration.

I understand volunteering  and what motivates NCT volunteers. I’ve not just volunteered for NCT – I was a London 2012 Gamesmaker, I helped out with the Poppy Deinstallation, I’m a regular volunteer for my running club. I get volunteering.  I also understand the incredible work of our NCT Practitioners. I’m one of them. I qualified as a Breastfeeding Counsellor in 2010 and as Peer Support Trainer in 2012. I won a London Region NCT Stars Award in 2012 nominated by local practitioners for my work promoting and coordinating the local breastfeeding welcome scheme.

Currently I run my own very successful business – for more than 3 years, I combined this with working part-time for my local NHS health visiting team as a breastfeeding counsellor.

I have solid commercial background. I spent more than 25 years working in professional services – I assure you, you don’t get to be a senior manager in a law firm without diplomacy, intelligence, professionalism and integrity.

I would be deeply honoured and incredibly excited to be voted as NCT President.

I love NCT and the work that it does. I am a naturally positive and upbeat action-taker; at the same time I am realistic. I know we face many challenges. If I am elected, I will work really hard for you and for NCT. I offer my unique blend of experience as a parent, as a volunteer, as a practitioner, as an NHS professional, and as a savvy business owner with commercial acumen.

Thank you for reading. Please vote for me. Click here to watch the video.

If you like what I believe in and stand for, visit and like my Facebook page over here.