Staff Stories

What do you do at Sefton Council? 

I work as a library assistant. As well as looking after our books and other resources, I help people use our computers and I help run events and activities for the local community. 

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

I meet so many people and have so many interesting conversations every day. It’s especially nice when customers become regulars and you get to know them a bit. A lot of libraries nowadays are essentially community hubs as well as libraries; we get to interact with a lot of organisations that are helping people, and we try to get out into the community to do our own outreach and let people know all the different ways the library service could help them. 

I like it when someone comes into the library for the first time and I get to explain all the activities, events and online resources that we have. It doesn’t always fit with people’s expectations of what a library is so it often prompts conversations about how much we have adapted over the past couple of decades to meet the needs of our customers. We are often leading the way when it comes to digital inclusion, which isn’t an issue that everyone is aware of but is something that impacts the lives of a lot of people. 

What is the most unusual or unique or outstanding memory you have of your time at Sefton Council? 

When he was Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho chose Bootle Library as one of the libraries he visited during National Libraries week. We invited a class from the school that had won our yearly Summer Reading Challenge and he read a story to them and led a really engaging session all about books and libraries. Watching the enthusiasm of the children was so wonderful to see as it helped me realise that libraries will always play an important role in the lives of a community as each new generation discovers all we have to offer. 

How do you make a difference in your role? 

What stands out to me the most is often the small things. You can really make a difference in someone’s life by spending a few minutes finding out what they need and helping them with compassion and patience. I’ve had people tell me they successfully found a job because I helped them use the library’s computers, or new parents tell me they have found friends because I introduced them to our free children’s activities. Even something as simple as helping someone discover a new favourite author can be so rewarding. People are very kind and often come back to let us know when something we’ve done has made a difference to them. 

What do you do at Sefton Council? 

I facilitate activities and events to bring people together through shared activity such as our gardening club based in the garden at Formby Library.

Open to everyone gardening club is an opportunity to socialise while being active outdoors in nature benefitting everyone’s health and wellbeing.

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

I love my job. I enjoy being part of a lovely, supportive team and no two days are the same! It’s great to be part of a library service where everyone is welcome to collaborate, socialise, learn and share.

What is the most unusual or unique or outstanding memory you have of your time at Sefton Council? 

Last month I travelled to Amsterdam as part of The Europe Challenge to represent a collaboration between Sefton Libraries, the At the Library creative art programme and Venus charity.

The project was called Elastic Money/Money Matters and brought together an artist led programme of creative workshops, expert money management and debt advice by Venus staff in Bootle Library.

Taking part in the Europe Challenge connected me to a network of library representatives from 57 libraries out of a staggering 65,000 libraries across Europe!

How do you make a difference in your role? 

Working together with our community to creatively find solutions to local issues helps us to build and strengthen relationships and an all-important sense of belonging.

What do you do at Sefton Council?

I'm lucky to work for our Library Service, whilst supporting the creative work of At The Library, a collaboration between Rule of Threes Arts and the Library Service.

I'm currently working on activities supporting our local sanctuary-seeking community through workshops, drop-ins, collaborative programming and the development of strong partnerships in the area.

I'm also managing Queue Up And Dance, an arts and heritage project, supported by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund about the country’s first legal all-night rave, The Quad, an iconic night based in Bootle.

For the project, I’m exploring the unsung, working-class history of the area through collaborations with ex-ravers and young people to develop a community archive and series of public events. 

I'm also expanding the library’s programme around film and moving image, through explorations into our local history archives and collaborations with The Plaza Community Cinema.

Beyond the aforementioned projects, there are a myriad of other things going on within the library service, aiming to strengthen our community and provide meeting points and space for individuals and groups across the borough. 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I most enjoy the flexibility that my role offers, I feel so privileged to be in a position to develop strong relationships with our community, both individuals and organisations. I feel that I'm in a unique position to offer support and space to the wide array of people who use our services - and if they don't use them, then it's a really interesting challenge to ascertain why not, and how we can improve the accessibility of libraries so they can be more things to more people. 

We aim to be a forward-thinking service, who are trying to imagine the future of libraries and the various ways we can be a library of 2034 ten years ahead of schedule. All the team are so up for ensuring that our work is exciting and surprising, whilst also being a rock for the community to rely on. The work manages to be both incredibly creative, and we hope, useful and relevant to the community.

What is the most unusual or unique or outstanding memory you have of your time at Sefton Council?

I remember in my first week on the job, we were running workshops building transistor radios from scratch in Crosby Library, cooking risotto in Bootle Library and making paintings in a salad spinner with young mums in Netherton Library - straightaway I understood this was far from a normal library service, and I could see from the response of the community that the work being done was really special and needed!

How do you make a difference in your role?

I feel that the difference the work achieves is ensuring that our libraries remain a warm, welcoming, creative space where you don't need to buy anything to stay and is accessible to everyone. I feel that through our work, Sefton's Libraries, which could have become old fashioned and lost touch with the changing communities around them, instead feel like vital spaces which can adjust to Sefton's needs and wants, providing so much more than you'd expect a library to. 

What do you do at Sefton Council?

In my current role at Sefton Council, I am employed as an Electrical Building Services Technical Engineer, working within the Electrical and Mechanical section of the Property Building Services department. My role involves a combination of both technical expertise and hands-on involvement in a variety of projects related to the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems.

I am involved in the design and planning of new electrical installations, collaborating with colleagues to ensure that each system is carefully designed to meet the specific needs of each project. This includes reviewing and creating technical drawings, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and ensuring that the design aligns with both the client’s requirements and the Council’s objectives.

In addition to new installations, I also play a role in the maintenance and improvement of existing electrical systems. Whether it’s troubleshooting issues, performing upgrades, or ensuring systems remain compliant with current regulations, my work ensures that electrical services run efficiently and safely. This ongoing work helps to prevent issues before they arise and ensures that the properties we manage remain functional and safe for their occupants.

Working in this capacity allows me to engage with internal departments, external contractors, and clients. I work closely with the rest of the team to help coordinate tasks and ensure seamless project delivery. 

I find my job rewarding, knowing that my contributions help improve the functionality and safety of public and employees using buildings and facilities throughout Sefton, supporting both the community and the services that rely on these spaces.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

What I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to see a project through from its entire lifecycle, from initial design to final completion. Being involved in the design stage, where I can contribute to developing drawings and planning on the computer, allows me to bring ideas to life and think strategically about how to make the project as effective and efficient as possible. Watching this vision take shape is incredibly rewarding.

Part of working on projects from the start to the finish, I enjoy the chance to build strong working relationships with team members, clients, and contractors, both within and outside the Council. I find that collaborating closely with others not only strengthens the project but also helps me understand different perspectives and disciplines, which ultimately improves the end result. It’s fulfilling to be able to work with a diverse range of people, ensuring that everyone involved is aligned and feels valued in the process.

As someone new to my current job role, I am enjoying learning a variety of new skills and disciplines. This experience is rewarding, as it helps me progress and develop my career in local government.

Overall, this role gives me a sense of ownership and pride. Every project I help to complete feels like a shared achievement, one where I can see my efforts contributing to the community and making a lasting impact. The combination of technical problem-solving and relationship-building is something I find satisfying and motivating.

What is the most unusual or unique or outstanding memory you have of your time at Sefton Council?

One of my most memorable experiences at Sefton Council was being part of the excitement surrounding the 2012 London Olympics. In the lead-up to the games, I was asked to assist with an extraordinary event, the Olympic torch relay passing through the borough of Sefton, combined with a Guinness World Record attempt. Local schools came together to create a giant formation of the Olympic rings on Crosby Beach, which drew crowds and became a momentous occasion for the borough of Sefton.

Given my IPAF license and training, I was assigned the unique role of operating the cherry picker to provide BBC News with a bird’s-eye view of the event. Being responsible for safely elevating the BBC camera crew so they could capture aerial footage was a special privilege. Watching the scene from above, with the Olympic rings formed by enthusiastic students, made me feel both proud and honoured to contribute to such a great day.

This experience stood out to me because it was more than just a work task; it was a day that brought the community together in celebration and excitement. I felt a deep sense of connection to both my role and the impact of the event. It was incredible to witness the joy and pride on everyone’s faces and to know that I played a part in showcasing our community on an international stage. The memory of that day stays with me as a reminder of the positive impact our work can have in creating unforgettable experiences for others.

How do you make a difference in your role?

Having spent most of my career in the electrical and construction industry, I’ve developed a strong foundation in problem-solving, particularly when it comes to identifying and tracing faults efficiently. This experience taught me how to remain calm under pressure, quickly assess situations, and work towards practical solutions—skills that have been invaluable as I transitioned into a more office-based role.

In my current position, I apply these skills by taking a proactive approach to problem-solving. I approach each challenge with a solutions-focused mindset, whether resolving technical issues or improving day-to-day processes, always considering how my actions can positively impact the team.

I’ve been fortunate to build strong relationships throughout Sefton Council and with contractors I’ve worked with over the past 18 years. This network has given me an advantage in my role, allowing me to communicate and collaborate more easily across various projects.

Beyond my technical skills, my adaptability has been crucial in this role. Moving into an office environment has allowed me to refine my organizational abilities and work more closely with cross-functional teams, blending my hands-on experience with a strategic, big-picture perspective. My goal is to be someone the team can rely on—not just for solutions, but also for consistency, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to supporting our collective goals.

What do you do at Sefton Council?

What do you enjoy most about your role?

What is the most unusual or unique or outstanding memory you have of your time at Sefton Council?

How do you make a difference in your role?

What do you do at Sefton Council?

What do you enjoy most about your role?

What is the most unusual or unique or outstanding memory you have of your time at Sefton Council?

How do you make a difference in your role?