Week 12 and our last week of our interviews featuring each of our Board Members. This week you can find out more about Polly Stebbens, Modeshift’s South East Regional Representative.
How long have you been involved in sustainable travel?
I’ve been working in sustainable travel for 22 years (!), all at Brighton & Hove City Council. I started working there as a Road Safety Education Officer, running the Cycle Proficiency training (as it was then) across the city, and running campaigns, for example around road safety and Walk to School Week. After 9 years in road safety, I took a career break when I moved with my family to Australia. I came back to a job in the same team as a School Travel Advisor and have been in that role since 2009.
What have you most enjoyed about your job?
I’ve enjoyed the variety of projects I’ve been involved in over the years. I’ve also really liked being able to come up with project ideas and then put them into practice, such as working more closely with early years settings on active and sustainable travel.
What are you working on now and what’s next?
Currently I’m working with a number of early years settings helping them with Modeshift STARS accreditation, and I’m also working on our School Streets programme. I’m also working with a Public Health Schools colleague on developing our ‘Smile’ PSHE project for reception children/schools .We’re going through a restructure currently, so I’m not sure yet about what’s next!
What do you like about being on the Modeshift Board?
I like being on the Modeshift board for a number of reasons – but one of the main ones is the other great people on the Board and their wide breadth of backgrounds and experience. It’s a great place to learn from others about what is happening around the country.
