ABOUT ME

​How did I get to here? I often wonder! After taking a Sociology degree and CQSW at Bath University, I began my professional career in 1974 as a social worker with the now defunct Avon County Council. In those days social workers were generic, not knowing much about everything! Following the sudden death of my father - who was a rather unconventional  Baptist Minister - I decided to take a break and to study theology at the radical Northern Baptist College and the University of Manchester.

I did a postgraduate theology degree (First Class!) then became a Minister myself for over 5 years, before going to work for the Diocese of Lichfield Board for Social Responsibility at the time of 'Faith in the City', helping parish churches to make connections between what they did on Sundays and the rest of the life of their local communities. But I  had become increasingly sceptical about traditional Christian beliefs so when that job ended I went back into social work and Education Welfare. I carried on preaching and leading services for another 10 years as a Church of England Reader in two Stafford parishes, then pretty much walked away from any involvement in church life in 1999.

In my new career I published widely on the educational implications of the Children Act 1989 and other welfare issues during over 20 years' experience in Staffordshire and Wolverhampton Local Authorities until I took early retirement in 2011. I then ran courses and worked with schools as an Independent Consultant and Trainer. I am also a governor of a special school for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and am taking a course to qualify as an adult education teacher - better late than never!! I am currently involved in supporting basic English language teaching in this fine example of a multicultural 'City of Sanctuary'.

I know this journey won't last forever, so now that I have retired the Prodigal is returning - well, sort of!