I’m Naomi Marshallsea, and I’m your Labour candidate for the Illtyd ward in Barry for the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

I am dedicated to making our ward an outstanding place to live for all. I am committed to ensuring that everyone in Illtyd can achieve their potential, whatever their background. I want to ensure our ward is a safe and welcoming neighbourhood and with your backing I will work towards a greener, fairer, more prosperous Barry.

Let me tell you about me. I grew up in Cardiff and moved to London in my twenties. Five years ago I moved back to South Wales and to Barry – the hometown of my husband. I have lived in the Illtyd ward ever since. It has quickly become home for me and my family, and I have two children that attend Ysgol Sant Baruc (I am an intermediate Welsh speaker). I have found the area to be a friendly place and I feel part of the community here. I of course love the beaches and beautiful parks that we’re fortunate to have on our doorstep.

Why am I qualified to be your councillor?

I have years of experience supporting and advocating for families of all backgrounds. And I have a track record of working with organisations and communities to make a real difference to people’s lives. I worked as a primary school teacher in inner city London for 15 years, teaching and supporting vulnerable families and ensuring that children achieved their potential. I also spent time teaching abroad, and as a teacher in China I saw first-hand the problems that result without a democratic voting system in place. Since returning to South Wales I have volunteered with refugee and asylum groups, providing a community for those displaced by war and terror.  I now work for a local council in the transport team, working with schools, parents and children to ensure safety outside school gates and to encourage active travel.

I grew up in a strong Labour household and I have been a member of the Labour Party for over 10 years. Throughout the last few years, I have felt my family have been safer led by Welsh Labour than if I had remained in England and this prompted me to become more active in local campaigns. I believe the Party stands for the values I hold – equality, fairness and honesty. I believe in championing ordinary people, seeing the positives in each individual and providing opportunities of outcome for all.

I am a people person – I have always been someone who gets stuck in and active in my local area. In Barry I attend children and toddler groups, I support businesses on High Street and Park Crescent and I have taken part in many local events including those to support environmental education in Porthkerry Park. I am often out and about with my lively children, so do not hesitate to chat to me or contact me with any concerns you may have. I will be happy to discuss them and work with you to find solutions. I want to know what issues are important to you and how once elected I might support you and other residents to improve our community. I look forward to meeting you!