Helen Smith McGuire

“I have lived in North Tyneside for almost 25 years, raising my family and running a successful business at the coast. I now work in adult education with a focus on SEND and children and young people's mental health. I am standing as a Green Party councillor in Preston with Preston Grange which is currently dominated by three Conservative councillors – having a Green Voice to represent a different set of values can only be a good thing for the ward. ”

“I have an interest specifically in school-based attendance issues and have concerns about school provision for children who are unable to attend mainstream schools. For older children, I am interested in increasing opportunities for young people to gain work experience and employment – there’s a distinct lack of opportunity for teenagers in the local area to get weekend jobs. ”

“I am a sea swimmer and so I am concerned about water pollution, particularly at Cullercoats Bay. Litter on the beaches is also an obvious concern, alongside anti-social behaviour in the summer months. I can see how this links to a lack of 'third space' for young people in the area to access and I would love to see youth spaces with pool tables etc to keep young people off streets or disappearing online. ”

“Having an elderly relative with dementia has allowed me to see the challenges faced with accessing support for the elderly – I would love to see community centres and libraries open for general support on a more regular basis. ”

“I've links with the refugee centre in Wallsend and have very good friends who are fearful of the growing anti-immigration sentiment. I am also keen to see more support for campaigns against violence to women and girls which seems to be systemic in places of power. ”

“As a single income household, I access food waste charities such as That Bread and Butter thing, and Olio. I also have lived experience of claiming Universal Credit and the barriers this can present. I love that the Green Party represents local people, not big business. ”

“My aim would be to ensure local policy decisions were taken with the community as the priority rather than profit. I’d be aiming for decisions to be made for the long term, with an emphasis on care and community, rather than to meet short-term objectives of profit and greed.”