Julia worked in Somers Town, a high unemployment ward in Camden, to develop a council-backed service which facilitated greater collaboration between local providers; supported employers to recruit locally; and made a range of complementary services available to residents in one location.
She prioritised getting to know the local community and organisations fundamental to them by employing and training residents as community researchers. She employed local people, based on a belief that a service delivered in part by local people is likely to be better-paced to support residents.
She joined the local authority in 2019, tasked with leading a new Gospel Oak job hub, utilising the experience and insight of Somers Town to inform service design.
The job hub provides support to anyone that needs it, offering interconnected support services, workshops, and events.
Prior to Covid-19, Julia was active in the area, meeting residents and building relationships. More recently, she has used her experience to develop new tools and processes, all online-ready.
