As a primary school teaching assistant for children with special education needs with a BA Hon degree in youth work, it is perhaps no surprise that Maggie’s mantra is Education, Education. She is an avowed advocate of making communities stronger through education. Introducing young people to new ideas or opportunities and building on their existing skillset is Maggie’s passion.

“The more knowledge you have, the more power you have,” she says.

And she has brought that strong belief to her work with Noel Park Big Local. Maggie is the current lead for the partnership’s youth work output and has helped guide the youth programme’s challenging transition into a digital space over the last year as it has adapted to life under lockdown.

However, her work with the community doesn’t end with Noel Park Big Local. A resident of the area for nearly three decades, she has been involved with many projects in the community throughout the years. She is also the manager of the Sandbunker Hub at the Sandlings, where she has lived for the past 27 years.