Lela is a Data Analyst working with Alcatel Submarine Networks part of Nokia, one of the lead industries in telecom applications as well as offshore oil and gas applications. Formerly a teacher/lecturer with over 15 years’ experience within education, from primary through to adult education, and a mother-of-two, Lela worked her way up from being a teaching assistant to gaining more experience from each position, to ultimately becoming Head of Science and now a founder of UXL4Life, providing educational services aimed at helping learners from ‘low-income’ households. Lela previously volunteered and became trustee with One Community, and taught learners of foreign languages to speak and understand some aspects of the English language, to help promote inclusion and cohesion within the community. As a former bodybuilder and fitness fanatic, she self-advocates for mental health and the importance of healthy living. She has lived in Tilbury for over 11 years’ having previously lived in London, and appreciate the ‘little’ but large things that make Tilbury her home – She has seen the community develop and go from strength to strength over that time.
A Chartered Accountant and former Chair of Governors at a nearby Tilbury primary school which under his leadership was given the rating of ‘Good’ by OFSTED after being in special measures for a number of years. He brings Project Management skills, financial management and auditing. He is a local resident of Tilbury and helps with the strategic planning and direction of One Community. He is also particularly keen to be part of changing the negative publicity that is often associated with the area.
Arts graduate with creative, theatrical, teaching and youth work experience. Taught art at secondary and further education levels. Facilitated regular events for the local Christian Faith Community under the umbrella of Transformation Thurrock (2008-2018). Currently a freelance itinerant speaker at churches both locally and beyond. This includes providing creative and interactive contemplative spaces. He is also a writer and an artist, with a knowledge of local history as he has lived in Grays since the late 1960s – most of his life
Marcia has been a member of One Community Development Trust since 2014, she was volunteering two days a week where she was empowered with job-enhancing training and an updated CV. She got a job in 2015 with Thurrock Lifestyle Solution.
Her background has always been in customer service and administration and she worked for DWP for 17 years in different capacities. She also works with S.M.I.L.E Ministries where she mentored single mothers for three years in London.
Michael is the Nigeria Country Director for the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Swiss-based Foundation working on supporting food systems to deliver healthier food choices which are more affordable, available and desirable for consumers, especially the most vulnerable. Michael has extensive policy and operational experience and expertise gained from over 20 years of managing multiple assignments and projects the UK and with regional organisations, as well as 10 years of working in international trade and development in West Africa. Prior to GAIN, Michael was the Country Director of the WaterAid Nigeria programme. Michael holds graduate and postgraduate qualifications from the University of Ibadan (Nigeria), the University of Greenwich, Kingston University Business School, and Warwick Business School (UK) He plans to bring high calibre leadership and management experience that he hopes to use to bring significant growth and commercial acumen to further enhance One Community’s position, reputation and influence within Tilbury, South Thurrock and the wider Essex region.