I caught up with Meher Faisal to find out a little more about her and her involvement in Brighter Start over the last three years.
We talked about her work, her ideas, her hopes for the future - and even her favourite spot in East London.
First things first, Meher, what’s one thing you’d like our readers to know about you?
I like to stay grounded, work hard and bring positive energy to everything I do.
Now for a slightly trickier question – can you tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
Only a few people close to me (like my husband) know that I’m actually like a duck – calm on the surface and paddling relentlessly underneath to stay afloat.
Can you say a bit about what brought you to Brighter Start in 2023?
I’d already been working at Sheringham for over seven years and was ready for a new challenge. When the opportunity at Brighter Start came along, I grabbed it with both hands as a chance to learn, grow and take on something new.
In a nutshell, could you tell us what your role involves?
In short, my role involves supporting the team, helping everyone stay focused and making sure everything runs smoothly. No two days are the same and there’s never a dull moment, which keeps it interesting and gives me the motivation every morning.
Which aspect of your work are you most proud of so far?
I’m very proud to see that, with my support, my colleagues are able to make a real difference to the lives of children, whether it’s through research trials or by upskilling the early years workforce. I’m also proud of how I have grown as a person and the trust I have earned from my senior leaders.
And, looking forward, is there something that you are most excited about for the next phase of the SPH work?
First of all, a warm welcome to all the new starters! I am super excited to see our team grow and to embrace the new opportunities and challenges this next phase of SPH will bring. I am ready to push my boundaries and see what more I can achieve.
What’s the one difference you hope to make through your work?
I hope to make a positive difference to the people around me by helping them feel supported, valued and confident in what they can achieve.
If I caught up with you in a year’s time, what would you hope to be telling me about?
I hope to be telling you about the new challenges I have taken on, the opportunities I have embraced and how much I have grown along the way.
And finally, what’s your favourite spot in East London?
My favourite spot in East London to chill, relax and unwind is my home on the edge of Claybury Woods. I am quite a homebody and love spending time at home listening to the birds chirping and watching the squirrels scurrying around my garden.