Can you tell us a bit about your time at Brunel? What course did you study and what drew you to the university?
1992-1996 I read Sociology and psychology BSc. I undertook a 4 year, thin sandwich course which involved 3, 6 month work placements.
I really liked the proximity to London and the structure of the learning.
Are there any standout memories or experiences from your time at Brunel?
I made so many great friends and had a wonderful 4 years which gave me a wonderful platform for my career.
The work placement/ study balance was a real stand out. I studied family structures in Israel, worked in a special needs school in East London and in a community care facility. The real work experience alongside high quality lectures built my resilience for work.
I enjoyed the range of clubs and in particular hockey and community engagement.
Tell us about your educational and/or career journey since you graduated from Brunel?
I went straight into a care setting working in London in a residential care home and worked my way up to senior manager within 3 years.
My degree gave me an enhanced start and my ability to learn allowed me to progress alongside my work ethic and motivation to support people with learning disabilities.
I worked in housing for 11 years and moved to more social enterprise settings in 2008 as I wanted to expand my range of work. I worked across London developing sustainable services until I moved out of London to start a family.
I became CEO of Sunnyside Rural Trust in 2009 and have transformed a small day care service with a turnover of £300k to an almost £3million large charity and successful social enterprise. We have developed an innovative model where we support people to find out what they can do rather than focus on their disability and build work, wellbeing and independence around this.
How would you say your Brunel experience has helped you to get where you are today?
A focus on how to get the best out of skills and build a solid knowledge base. Learning how to apply my knowledge to real life settings.
Having a degree gave me the credibility in the early part of my career and allowed me to access further study.
What do you consider to be your most impactful achievements to date?
My recent MBE has been the result of almost 3 decades of advocating for work opportunities for people with landing disabilities.
Transforming Sunnyside into an inspiring organisation that generates sustainable income.
Supporting over 180 a day with learning, wellbeing and work opportunities.
Consulting for School of Social Entrepeneurs, offering charities the chance to transform to social enterprises.
Being awarded the Queen’s award for voluntary service in 2021. With a special commendation for our work in Covid. We were the only service that stayed opened the whole time during covid in our county.
We grew the plants for Tom Stuart Smith’s Horticultural icon garden at RHS Hampton Court in 2022. All grown by young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism. We were all so proud of the standard of plants and to be seen on such a prestigious event. We have gone to grow for show gardens for either RHS Chelsea and Hampton court every year since.
We were featured on Gardeners World with Arit Anderson in 2024 showcasing our work.
But mostly, it is every day seeing people shine, be brave and turn up. It is an absolute privilege to support their achievements.
What inspired you to pursue the path that led to your MBE honour?
I believe everyone has something brilliant that belongs just to them. By focussing on highlighting strengths and building on areas that need support, it is truly amazing to see what people can achieve.
I see everyday how tough people have it and just getting out of the house is a challenge. People turn up and that deserves our best advocacy and support to champion them.
I’ve always loved working with people with learning disabilities and autism. I was lucky enough to be born into a large, loving and supportive family. My cousin had Down syndrome and lived his life independently and to the full. As I went into school and through life I saw how invisible people can be and what a waste of life this is. This underpins all of my work.
How do you hope your recognition might inspire others?
To have a mission and work hard. I have always believed you can do anything and the journey doesn’t always look like the initial plan but keep going.
Don’t lose sight of the ‘why’, if you have strong values and believe in what you are doing, your life will be significantly enhanced.
What message would you like to share with the Brunel community – students, staff, or fellow alumni – in light of this achievement?
Standing in front of the Princess Royal, you realise what an honour it is to be recognised, where so many people are not. I accept this MBE on behalf of everyone I have worked with.
For anyone beginning their studies, find something you want to live and breathe and don’t settle for less.
For those later on in their journey, it is never too late. There is nothing better than making a difference.