10:00am Tuesday 15th May 2012
WHAT I’M CALLED: Natalie Brook.
MY AGE IN YEARS: 28.
WHAT I DO: I manage Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, a charity that supports women and girls who’ve experienced rape or other forms of sexual abuse. We run a telephone helpline, email support and peer support groups and also support the family and friends (male or female) of survivors of sexual violence. We have been supporting people from across Oxfordshire for the past 30 years.
WHERE I LIVE: I have lived in East Oxford for the past four years – I love OX4!
WHO I LOVE: My friends and family, and all the wonderful volunteers who dedicate their time to working at the centre. We have a very committed group of women who come from all walks of life to help others.
HAPPIEST YEAR: The year I was lucky enough to travel the world was special. Seeing so many new places, beautiful sights and meeting lots of incredible people is an experience I’ll never forget. I reckon this year is going to be a pretty happy one too.
DARKEST MOMENT: I’m an optimist, so even dark moments have a glimmer of light.
PROUDEST BOAST: Being able to work doing something I believe in, alongside a group of amazing women. It sounds cheesy, but I’m fortunate to wake up every day looking forward to going to work.
BIGGEST REGRET: Not having started training yet – I’m running three half marathons within four weeks in a few months’ time to raise money for the centre. Having never run much before, getting the motivation to start is proving a little challenging.
WORST WEAKNESS: Chocolate. I can’t get enough.
LESSON LEARNED: Don’t give up – keep fighting for what’s right.
DULLEST JOB: Not necessarily dull, but definitely worst – having to dress up as the Walls ice cream mascot, a giant lion, to serve mini-milks to hundreds of over-excited kids. On a summer’s day it’s pretty sweaty in there, I can tell you.
GREATEST SHAME: My music collection in the mid nineties.
LIFE-LONG HERO: All of the women who stood up for what they believed in – many risking their lives – so that I have the right to vote today. And all the unsung heroes who give up their time to help others.
OLDEST FRIEND: Lauren – we met aged two and have been great friends since then. We’ve got an amazing bunch of friends around us too. We’re lucky to have met each other at school and stuck together ever since, though I wish we had the time to see each other more often.
WIDEST SMILE: Every time someone says something so funny I have a laughing fit. Full on hysterics, tears... I’ve been told it’s quite a sight!
FAVOURITE DREAM: The one in which poverty and social injustice no longer exists.
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