South Lakes Labour Westmorland & Lonsdale Constituency Labour Party
I will do my very best to ... consult widely in my ward – making particular effort to hear the voices of those who find it hardest to engage with local politics, and then look for imaginative, collaborative, long-term solutions. Lois Sparling
Lois Sparling – Kendal South and Heron Hill
About my experience
My partner and I have lived in Heron Hill, south Kendal, for over 15 years, and still struggle to believe our luck. I have been an active community volunteer all my adult life – including setting up a youth club, helping found a credit union, chairing my local Chamber of Trade and, more recently, serving as Chair of Natland Parish Council and a worship leader in the Beacon Team of churches in Kendal.
In my paid employment, in the past few years, I have worked as Volunteer Manager and Winter Shelter Coordinator at Manna House and now work as a Volunteer Manager at Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to support a wide range of people, and the amazing people who volunteer to support them, in this way.
My priorities
As a supporter of Manna House and King’s Food Bank, I am particularly concerned that the councils should do what they can to improve the lives of those on the edge – struggling to make ends meet, to get the support they need with their own or their family’s mental or physical health or with isolation and loneliness. As well as the huge challenges of funding our welfare, care, health, transport and education services adequately, well-designed and well-managed housing and local environment can make a huge difference to that wellbeing – even such a simple thing as a 20mph speed limit to make streets safer and reduce traffic noise.
My approach
If I am elected to represent Heron Hill (on Kendal Town Council) or Kendal South (on Westmorland & Furness Council), whatever the challenges being discussed – from transport to housing, from care services to waste disposal – my approach will be the same. As a hard worker and someone who loves talking to new people and helping them feel heard, supported and hopeful, I will do my very best to
- Understand all aspects of any issue or policy under discussion
- Consult widely in my ward – making particular effort to hear the voices of those who find it hardest to engage with local politics, and then
- Look for imaginative, collaborative, long-term solutions.