A message from the new Women’s Voice Worker

Hi, I am really happy to greet you all and introduce myself as the new Women’s Voices Development Worker for the Gypsy/Traveller Project at MECOPP. My name is Shirell Johnson and I took up my new role on the 26th October 2020. Sadly, I’ll be working from home for the foreseeable due to the Covid-19 restrictions, learning all about the great things MECOPP does, but I can’t wait to get a chance to meet many of you as soon as we are allowed to mingle again. I have a mixed heritage of different Gypsy/Traveller ancestors and have a keen interest in their lives, as well as the lives of Gypsy/Travellers now, and in social justice and equality for all, so I was delighted to be offered this post and aim to do my very best whilst at MECOPP.

I am also studying at the University of the West of Scotland for my last year of a degree in Community Education, after ten years of caring for my mum who has severe mental health issues, and a couple of years for my dad too, who had cancer. Before becoming a carer, I held work roles supporting a variety of people experiencing a wide range of issues including mental health, homelessness, domestic abuse, crime, and drugs and alcohol issues.

I hope to be in touch very soon with the women previously involved with the Women’s Voices Project. If any of you who haven’t been involved with the project yet but would like to be please get in touch with me by phone on 07931 555 417, or email me at shirell@mecopp.org.uk

Until then, please take care.