Oral History with Claire Worthington

In the audio recording names of children have been redacted at the request of the donor. No alterations have been made to this index.

00:00 Self-employed as a web designer/ digital trainer. Part of a team that runs SPACE . Joined as a parent, then got more involved, developing their website. Discusses the condition ADHD.

03:30 Describes a lack of diversity in the digital sector. Wants to help progress things. Runs after-school programming clubs. Describes structural issues. ‘If there’s a stereotype for whatever I’m doing, it never looks like me!’

08:04 Started a YTS in vehicle engineering; all the other recruits were male. Lasted 6 months.

10:13 Enrolled at university aged 38, graduated aged 42.

11:00 Blog post – came out of Mentoring/ CODE (for women in tech).

11:50 Born in South Manchester. Fostered at 10 months. Has 2 families – one black and one white. ‘I’ve always been the only one’. Mostly feels fine: ‘It never really entered my head that any of it was any different’.

15:15 Attended Ladybarn Primary School: ‘a different world’. Good at gymnastics and athletics. At Fallowfield High School, received comments about her relationship to white family members.

Job at Royal Mail, Bolton following the YTS.

22:00 Contact with birth mum. Relationship with foster mum.

23:44 Memories of childhood: ‘Bikes were massive’. Tiggy it, going on the park, on the street; always outside.

26:15 Worked at Royal Mail for 19 years. Still close to best friends from school. Socialising, music, pirate radio, clubs. Eclectic taste in music. First gig.

33:18 Boyfriend and pregnancy aged 18. Later met and married Mike at work. Moved to live with Mike in Bredbury then Romiley.

45:42 Gained experience of direct marketing working at RM. Identified flaws in web design created for her shop. Got involved redeveloping it. Eventually enrolled at university to study computer science.

51:14 No visible diversity in Romiley. ‘Hasn’t actually been a problem as such…until this summer .’ Social media has made her more aware of people’s opinions. ‘White Lives Matter’ conversations. Reflects on current and older forms of racism.

1:01:55 Remembers daughter’s diagnosis. Strategies for dealing with the condition.

1:09:51 Has 5 grandchildren, the eldest just started high school.

1:10:30 Values this project because it’s a chance to showcase existence, achievements and networks. ‘There’s more black people about than you think’. Feels it’s important not to make assumptions; to go beyond the wealthy, white stereotype of Stockport.

Is a member of the Goodness Collective which struggles to recruit diverse mentors. Assists with ‘a way with change’ programme to help unemployed women. Reflects on how to reach out and be more inclusive.

1:17:24 Having the confidence to be yourself is important for emotional good health.