Introducing Lauren!
The TNT team has continued to grow over the last few months, read on to find out more about Lauren Parton who has joined with a focus on developing our Covid Cash Course.
Welcome to the Transforming Notts Together team Lauren! What is your new role?
Hello! I have come onboard as an Assistant Development Worker helping to run the new Covid Cash Course with the Just Finance Foundation.
So, what were you doing before you joined TNT?
I was working for the Arches, which is a practical resource centre for those in need in Nottingham. I work two days a week coordinating our volunteers and was working two days a week covering maternity leave looking after the admin for one of our teams.
I am still continuing at the Arches in the Volunteer Coordinator Role but the maternity cover came to an end which is how I have now come to be working at TNT. I also have previous experience in secondary teaching and overseas mission.
How have your first few weeks with Transforming Notts Together been?
So far it has been wonderful! Everyone is so friendly and it is great to be a part of a team with a shared passion for Nottinghamshire! We have been thinking about how we can develop the Covid Cash Course and make it accessible more widely.
Where in Nottinghamshire are you based?
I live in Beeston - I love the vast selection of charity shops and coffee shops here!
What are your hopes for Nottinghamshire?
My hope for Nottinghamshire is that it would be a place known for human flourishing; where community is tight, where individuals, families and the wider community can be empowered to grow and develop and where people support and love their neighbours throughlife's ups and downs.
What encouraging stories could you share?
Upon watching my colleagues deliver the Covid Cash Course when I first started, I found something valuable to help a refugee lady I am befriending. She was being pressured to move out by her landlord upon receiving refugee status, but due to lockdown, hadn't been able to get the ball rolling. On the course, I learnt that landlords could not push tenants to leave until later in August. I was able to inform my friend so she was aware of her rights and reassure her that she has the time to get her housing sortedbefore she has to move out! It is so valuable having all the information in one place!
Do you have any biblical reflections that relate to the work of TNT?
Micah 6:8 says: "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." God has made us all in his image to flourish but in reality, we don't see everyone flourishing - we see children going to bed hungry, people being discriminated against because of their race, gender or socioeconomic background, and people not being given the support or opportunities they desperately need. For God, this is a justice issue, it is something to be put right. As his people, we are calledto represent him on this earth and I see at TNT that they are doing just that - they are acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God to see the coming of his kingdom in Nottingham through "tackling poverty and isolation to change lives and communities". And I'm so excited to be a part of what God is doing through them!
If you'd like to get in contact with Lauren to find out more about the Covid Cash Course, you can find her contact details here.