My name is Lyn Law I was born in Coventry in 1960, the eldest of four children. I moved with my parents to Stoke on Trent in 1961.
The first school I attended was Barlaston Primary School after which having sat my 11 plus I moved on to attend Alleynes High School in Stone. I left school at the age of 17 having achieved seven O’ level (the equivalent of GCSE) and one CSE qualification. I achieved Maths O’level at the age of 15. I moved into the sixth form and had started three A levels but on being offered a job with the Nat West Bank I decided to pursue a career in banking (big mistake!). Anyhow, I left the bank in 1980 and did various different jobs until I was made redundant from a travel agency.
In 1982 I had a decision to make, either the summer season in a Butlins Camp, (seven offers) or an offer from Stoke on Trent City Council of four weeks temporary work, possibly longer but no guarantee. I have now worked for the City Council for 29 years. Currently I work in a team that offers intensive support to people with serious problems such as substance misuse, at risk of losing their home, debt and ill health. There are many strange things that I have done in my work to get the job done and equally I have witnessed and experienced many things.
However, what has mattered all this time is making a difference, helping people to achieve their goals large or small.
When the opportunity arose to become a school governor I decided to go for it. At first I was unsure as I had no background in education other than my own. However, I had skills and knowledge through which I have been able to make a contribution to the work of the governing body in supporting the school, to make a difference. Being a governor I have met people I would not have otherwise met, done things that I would not have done and although there are the occasional boring bits I have very much enjoyed myself.
