I was brought up in a Quaker family where the ethos was that everyone is equal and that we should work for a peaceful and sustainable world.

I was drawn to WAST by the existing anti-asylum seekers rhetoric. I heard it on the streets when I campaigned during elections but felt unable to counter it as I knew so little. This was particularly difficult for me because my mother was Mauritian and had come to this country in the 1950s. I felt that she had many things in common with the women I have since met.

I’m now retired. I had worked for 34 years in the NHS in all sorts of management roles from running Community Services to implementing computer systems and redesigning services, so I have lots of experience to offer WAST.

In my spare time, we grow vegetables, bird watch and when able I research family history.