Introduce yourself!
Hi, my name is Hillary, and I’m the Funding and Communications Lead at Nurture CIC. I focus on ensuring that everyone has access to nature and that our community-based projects reach the people who need them most.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I find it incredibly rewarding to work on projects that are community-focused and make nature accessible to everyone. Knowing that our work positively impacts people’s lives and brings communities closer to nature keeps me motivated.
How do you like to start and end your day?
I like to start my day by stretching and centering my mind, preparing for a productive day ahead. I end my day with planning for tomorrow and taking time to read, which helps me reflect and unwind.
Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by my mother, an immigrant who left everything familiar to build a new life, and the women in my family before me whose resilience paved the way for me. Being the first woman in my family to pursue higher education motivates me to strive further and create opportunities for others.
Why are public services important to you?
Public services are vital because they promote inclusivity and equity. They provide access to opportunities and resources that help communities thrive, which is particularly meaningful to me as someone from a migrant background.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about equity and building connections between people and the resources they need to succeed. Whether through funding, communications, or advocacy, I want my work to open doors and make opportunities more accessible. I have spent most of my life in urban areas, growing up between London and Lagos. Living in such densely populated cities made me aware of how overwhelming urban life can feel without access to natural spaces. I found a sense of peace and clarity in gardens and green areas, small pockets of nature that offered relief from the chaos. My interest in the environment also deepened through my work with young migrants, many of whom are also eco-migrants, displaced due to environmental crises like drought, extreme weather, and land degradation. Seeing firsthand the impact of environmental neglect on people’s lives made me more aware of the urgent need for climate action and environmental justice.
How would you describe your Mondrem experience in one word and why?
Transformative. My experience at Mondrem and Nurture CIC has been life-changing, offering opportunities for reflection, growth, and clarity about the kind of work I want to do in the future—work that helps people and bridges access between communities and the corporate world. Being a project lead has been a rewarding experience filled with new challenges and opportunities for growth. I have especially enjoyed the chance to take ownership of my work, through leading tasks, events, making decisions and seeing how projects develop in real time. Working alongside Florence, the other project lead has made this experience even more enjoyable. What I initially thought would be a daunting responsibility turned out to be a fun and valuable learning journey, thanks to teamwork, shared ideas, and mutual support.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of winning a Silver Crest Award for my report evaluating the NOREAM (No Recourse to Public Funds) intervention and the mental health needs of children in care, with a focus on migrant children. It was a meaningful recognition of the work I did to highlight vulnerable children’s experiences and advocate for their needs.
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