My name is Paula Goddard and I am representing Age UK Kensington & Chelsea and Open Age . I am also involved with Karmabank a social enterprise group.
My working background is in youth and community work, housing advice, and development work, then education as a Learning Mentor in a secondary school and finally teaching adults English and ESOL in the west London area. I am semi-retired and still teach short courses at RBKC library and I also do cover work .
My interests are writing poetry, short stories and watercolour and mixed media painting (beginners). I am writing my memoirs using all of the above. I love music of all genres and do African dancing, Afro Beats, and Zumba classes.
Over the last few years, I have taken part in singing workshops with the ENO Community team with Open Age, and another group – Drama for Healing and attended several performances at ENO.
I am looking forward to being involved with the advisory group as I believe opera should be assessable to everyone. Like many people, I regarded opera as an elitist activity and not for everyday people. This changed when I attended a performance through another community group. The whole production changed my perception, and I was converted to the wonderful world of opera .