I am a UK-based digital communications professional with over 10 years’ experience writing and editing for charities and NGOs. My speciality is generating high-quality, accessible, writing for web content to support core business activities, including service delivery, campaigning and fundraising. As well as being Scrum Agile trained, I have a strong background in analytics and using Content Management Systems.
I use evidence-based insights to create measurably-successful digital products which support core organisational objectives. I understand WCAG accessibility principles and I’m a semi-professional photographer in my spare time.
Read my article on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and charities and why trust matters.
My core skills
My passion is to use my core strengths as a force for good. I’m passionate about digital inclusion and web accessibility, and the power that digital can have as a driver of positive change.
My super strengths are:
- Writing
- Editing
- Photography
- Communication
I am based in London and South East England and am flexible with travelling for work.
Skills and experience
Accessibility – in-house and external (EDX and AbilityNet) training to support WCAG 2.1 requirements for accessibility. Includes readability and producing Plain English content; supporting Macmillan UX team and Brand Champions with accessibility requests.
Agile – Working in Scrum Agile teams since 2017 for BHF and Macmillan. Ongoing external and internal training since 2019.
Artificial Intelligence / ChatGPT – Close collaboration with Macmillan fundraising subject matter experts to produce tailored email support journeys. Human in The Loop and upholder Macmillan’s AI policies to use technology for public good. Co-wrote the accessible AI statement.
Analytics – Training (GA4 Google Analytics Academy) and hands-on experience in measuring performance, optimising and problem solving. Managing monthly reporting processes and dashboards for stakeholders; establishing meaningful metrics; evidence-based decisions to improve user experience; raising digital literacy about GA among organisation’s digital champions through guides and workshops.
Content Management Systems – Proficient to advanced level across several CMS’s, including WordPress, Drupal, Sitecore and custom builds.
Digital photography – Foundation level (London School of Photography) and semi-professional photographer (Getty and Shutterstock) with several years’ experience shooting for events, case stories, print and digital publications. Current equipment: Canon EOS 250D.
EDI – Anti-racism, disability awareness, LGBTQIA+ allyship, and safeguarding training to support colleagues and production of inclusive content. Co-led relaunch of Macmillan style guide with the Brand team to produce a more accessible, responsive and inclusive resource following extensive user surveys and feedback from employee networks.
SEO – Several years’ experience working with and in SEO-focused roles, including four years as Mencap’s de facto lead for SEO. Continuing work improving search performance in close collaboration with SEO teams at BHF and Macmillan. Previous experience producing best practice guidance and hosting workshops with subject matter experts to raise digital literacy. London Web Factory (2014-16) and Semrush (2020 – present) training.
Marketing – Daily managed British Heart Foundation’s GrantsPro account to support service delivery; achieved +10% CTR. Produced tailored stakeholder reports and managed new campaign requests. Secured GrantsPro status for Mencap (October 2015). Facebook and LinkedIn activity to support awareness campaigns, information and advice, frontline service provision for British Heart Foundation.
UX – Close collaboration with in-house UX and UI teams to support improvements in user experience and conversion rates for key user journeys. Writing of micro copy for webforms and copy variations for A/B tests. In-house training and external from Future Learn and UserZoom.
Writing and editing – More than 10 years’ experience writing and editing online for health-focused NGOs to support all aspects of business, including services and outreach, fundraising and campaigning. Professional writing qualification (Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University) and extensive experience producing high quality accessible, impactful content.
Visit my portfolio page to see specific examples of my work.
CV
- Macmillan Cancer Support (2019 – present)
- British Heart Foundation (2017 – 2019)
- Mencap (2013 – 17)
- St Mungo’s (2012 – 13)
- University of Birmingham (2011)
- The Big Issue Foundation (2008 – 10)
- Haymarket Publishing (2006 – 08)
Visit my LinkedIn profile for a full career history
Full CV available on request.
Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism (Cardiff University, 2005)
- 2.1 BA (Hons) English Literature (Swansea University, 2003)
- 3 A Levels (Northampton College, Daventry, 1999)
Portrait photo credit: Esme Porter