Millicent Scott Brooks – Operations Manager

This post is a part of a series on meet our people

I work at Access Foundation because I am passionate about making a positive difference to the world around me.  I believe we need to create a fairer world by eliminating discrimination and bigotry – levelling the playing field and making amends to those whom life has treated badly. I see making the world a better place as a responsibility I share with all adults. It gives my life meaning. In my opinion, supporting young people to be the best they can is the key to creating a happier and healthier world. To do this, we need to model fair and equitable behaviour, treating people and the environment with care and respect.  

With this as my driving force, I have worked in the charity and not for profit sector as well as local and international government for many years. I have chosen to dedicate my professional work to facilitating funding for projects that have direct impact in communities. I’ve worked directly with refugee communities, with socially and economically disadvantaged groups of society, including children and people with disabilities. I am also involved with the parents’ association at my children’s primary school – helping improve my own local community.  

Fundraising and the instability of funding has always blighted the fields I’ve worked in – both in the public and not for profit sectors. Jobs have been precarious and I’ve long since accepted that I will never make millions. However, I am now poacher come gamekeeper: I have moved from being the one reliant on fundraising to continue my work, to being the one assisting others with accessing funds. 

Part of my work entails reading end of grant reports that charities share with the Access Foundation. It gives meaning to my work to know that the funds we provided are spent on improving people’s situations, helping people live healthier, happier, more connected or more fulfilling and sustainable lives.  

Working at the Access Foundation is so much more than “just a job”. I am blessed with extremely competent and driven colleagues, whose personal stories will appear on this site through the course of the next few months.