Katy McGrory

Background

About Katy McGrory

I have worked in the charity and community & voluntary sector for over 30 years. My career began as a receptionist at Shelter, then becoming a press officer working on many high profile events and stories. Jobs thereafter included as press officer for the BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection), NSPCC, as well as time working for Centrepoint in its central London hostels. I moved into local authority PR at the London Borough of Waltham Forest, where I won The Youth Justice Board's national PR award for one of my campaigns. With Community Services (Housing and Social Care) as my portfolio, I gained valuable experience and insight the work of local authorities from both officer and politician perspectives. I relocated to Brighton in 2002 and spent nine years as the Communications Officer (then Manager) at The Community and Voluntary Sector Forum. I worked for Possability People (formerly The Fed Centre for Independent Living), developing a communications strategy, and where I managed and implemented the organisation's rebrand (June 2016) from The Federation of Disabled People. I have managed staff and volunteers in various roles. I have a Certificate of Professional Practice in Campaigning from the University of Roehampton. Also trained in: television and radio interview techniques at Hillside Media; proofreading at The London College of Printing; Freelance Journalism at City University, London; Training for Trainers; Common Purpose Leadership; Institute of Cultural Affairs Facilitated Conversations; Upskillist Iphoneography. Outside of work includes music and dancing, attending classes in the UK and abroad. I have organised and taught dance workshops, classes and events. I love being outdoors and am lucky enough to be able to walk to the South Downs National Park from home - something i do regularly. My other interests include fitness, nutrition and current affairs. Specialties:* Translating complicated information into readable stories using plain language.* Copy writing and editing (including researching facts, figures and dates), and writing briefs, for example for design or branding ideas.* Campaign planning.* The community, voluntary and charity sector and its place in local and national issues.* Page layout and design. I am familiar with social media as a regular user, but recognise that digital marketing is a specific discipline which i have only scratched the surface of.