Alan writes:

I invited Labour district councillor, Amanda Fisher to a Zoom meeting primarily to gain insight into The Schools Out Project, which is operating in and around Mansfield – a project that supports disadvantaged areas and aims to tackle child poverty. What I received was indeed a good insight into the project and, moreover, I also got a good insight into the working life of a dynamic Labour district councillor for Mansfield Woodhouse and Pleasley Vale, who sincerely cares for her local community.

Amanda, who is a portfolio holder with responsibility for Safer Communities and Health and Wellbeing, has strong Socialist values that hold her to the good of the community. She was inspired by the politicisation of Woman during the miners’ strike of the mid 1980s and by her parents, who have a strong social conscious and fought for reform. However, it is not these moral values alone that defines her. She is also determined to be directly involved with the community that she serves well – not sat behind a desk shuffling papers and eating Hob Nobs.

During the pandemic, Amanda has become even more determined to support Mansfield Woodhouse residents. She had a vision to create a community allotment, taking a piece of unused land, along with the residents, and turning it into plots – she achieved the objective by creating 13 family plots and two plots for schools. The councillor, who was born in King’s Mill Hospital and settled in Welbeck, fondly tells the story of talking to a local ‘Wudus’ character and telling him about her objective to create a community allotment – a few hours later he had collected his strimmer and had cut the grass down ready to start digging it over!

The project has become a hub where residents have the opportunity to improve their wellbeing (part of Amanda’s portfolio) by accessing the outdoors, growing fruit/ vegetables and the opportunity for positive interaction – albeit it strictly within the safety guidelines of the government.

Amanda, who has spent 10 years in local politics, spoke about the first time she attended a formal council meeting and was traumatised to see a microphone with her name on it. Oh God what have I done? She carried on to say that for the first couple of meetings she never said a word – now she says, with a smile: They can’t shut me up! It is this determination that saw her get involved with the Schools Out Project. ‘One of the best projects I have been involved with,’ she enthuses.

Unsurprisingly, as is her resolve, Amanda – affectionately known as the School’s Out Champion – has adopted a hands-on-approach in supporting the School’s Out Project. The project itself is very direct, with supporters/ volunteers accessing the community, gathering and distributing food as well as fundraising and providing emotional support and activities for disadvantaged families. Presently, because of the effects of Covid-19 and associated difficulties, the demand for the project’s support is increasing and the group needs increased funding/ support to carry on helping local disadvantaged families.

The group have recently launched their #SchoolsOutFor Christmas initiative so they can support as many families as possible over the Christmas period. They are looking towards local business/ community for support and any donations are appreciated.

Coun Fisher is a credit to the town and an inspiration for others to follow. She has touched so many lives with her kindness and a determination to do what is best for her community.

If you would like to donate #SchoolsOutProject you can donate by direct bank transfer to Lloyd’s Bank, Account Number: 72502968, Sort Code: 30-98-97. Account name: School’s Out For Summer.