I am a founding Director at Drosi Bikes and Delivery Manager at Tempo Time Credits. Coming from a background of Product Design and development, over the last 10 years I have gained a breadth of experience in design, community development, co-production and grassroots environmental campaigning. I’ve completed a 12 month Social Enterprise Leadership programme (On Purpose) and worked for a range of social enterprises supporting communities across the UK.

Since returning to my hometown, of Ruthin, I have been working in partnership with 3^rd sector and public organisations across North Wales to involve more people in their communities by using Time Credits (the largest community currency in the World) as a tool to value everyone’s time equally.  I believe in the power of collaboration and communication; I have built connections and networks locally and nationally to break down barriers and support communities to make positive change.

My focus now is to help people and communities tackle Climate Change from a grassroots level. Drosi Bikes got involved with Renew Wales as it shares the same goal of using positive solutions to tackle climate change; we are empowering people and communities, helping them to reduce their environmental impact.

Why are you drawn to this area of work?

Drosi Bikes is built on an idea that was dreamt up whilst cycling from Wales to Istanbul (and back again!). It felt only right upon my return to the UK, to combine my love of cycling with my ambition to help people and communities to reduce their environmental impact. Through Drosi I have built relationships with other local groups, establishing a social enterprise network to support and encourage an environmental movement in this region. I can identify possibilities and opportunities in both people and businesses, and am keen to support environmental groups across Wales, nurturing them to grow.

Activating behavioural change is one of the biggest challenges we face and we must begin by helping everyone understand the facts around Climate Change in a digestible way. In 2015 I co-founded a Climate Change awareness Campaign, working with scientists to break down the boundaries of science and raise awareness of COP 21 in communities. Securing funding from UNDP we successfully delivered the campaign; building relationships across the world to organise and host awareness raising events in communities from Bali to Edinburgh.

What is your vision of your region in 2050?

In 2050 we will be living in connected and resilient communities. Pace of life will be slower; we’ll be growing and buying food locally, travelling shorter distances and more appreciative of our local environment.  Cars will be a thing of the past, and our roads will be filled with cyclist and pedestrians. Individuals and communities will be empowered and supported by local and national government policies to make positive changes to their life.