Jane Stewart, Community Rail Partnership Officer

I started my current role in August 2023, so just over a year ago. I was, and still am to a certain extent, a freelance artist having gone back to university as a mature student.

Because I am passionate about life on this planet! I have organised beach cleaning activities for the last 30 years and I think that being more sustainable is the only way forward if we are to tackle the current climate emergency we are facing.

Its always different, no two days are ever the same. I also enjoy that the job involves meeting people from all walks of life and taking part in lovely projects with them.

Currently we are planning our agenda for 2025 which is really exciting. One of the things I am planning is to build a community garden next to Harwich Town station. We’re also planning a carnival train with a range of migrant communities in Colchester to celebrate 200 years of the railway and the positive force for change it has been across the globe!

….Don’t tell anyone though, it’s supposed to be a secret!

Grayson Perry changed my life. It’s amazing how one piece of artwork can have such an incredible effect on a person.

I used to teach SCUBA diving in the Caribbean, Australia and Asia! I felt like a real life mermaid!

Wasted potential and missed opportunities…

The people who make me laugh, which would have to include Bill Bailey and Richard Ayoade. Also, some people for a serious conversation about how to change the world for the better - Mia Mottley and David Attenborough. And of course, my Grandma, my Mum and my daughter, just so we could all meet again.

I already have the superpower of being a mother! Apart from that, I would save the world from plastic and consumerism!

It varies from day to day, but I doubt I could live happily without cheese.

Cleaning peoples houses when my daughter was tiny – it was a means to an end at the time, but I hope it’s not something I have to repeat!

Hopefully a holiday to Vietnam!