What drew you to interfaith work and Building Bridges Burnley specifically?

My father was instrumental in establishing Building Bridges Burnley back in 2001, and at that time I was working as a housing officer in Burnley. This naturally drew me into the work on both personal and professional levels, as community cohesion was essential to my role as a housing officer. I've remained involved in varying degrees ever since, driven by the vital importance of this work.

Can you share a moment when you realised the importance of Building Bridges between Communities in Burnley?

The importance became crystal clear from the very beginning. The riots were born out of suspicion and hatred, and in the days that followed, comments from various communities revealed a breathtaking level of ignorance about neighbours they lived alongside daily. It was also striking how suddenly some sections of the community were gripped by fear where none had existed before. This made it clear that we urgently needed to bring people back together again.

What's your personal connection to Burnley and its diverse communities?

I was born and raised in Burnley and have worked with young people throughout my career. Combined with my father's involvement in local politics and my own work as a housing officer, my entire professional and personal life has been dedicated to bringing people together and strengthening our community.