After 18 years working for the John Lewis Partnerships in Southampton, Shirley left to study for a degree. She achieved a BA(Hons) degree in Business Administration. Whilst studying she decided on a career where she can help disadvantaged people.

Supported Housing was the means to achieve her new ambition " at the end of my life I can look back and say I made a difference". Shirley started with Hyde Housing Association, in Southampton, as a part-time financial assistant. She left to join Knightstone Housing Association in Poole. This role was mainly admin repairs etc. but included monitoring Managing Agents. Whilst there Shirley deputised for the Supported Housing Manager while she was on Maternity Leave.

She joined Signpost April 1999 as a Supported Housing Officer covering all of Dorset apart from North Dorset. Her client groups were very diverse. June 2002 Shirley was promoted to Team Leader covering East Dorset, North Dorset and Purbeck. On her team she has two Supported Housing Officers, three Assertive Outreach Project Workers and one Housing Support Workers.

Shirley moved to Bournemouth in 1998 as she is a closet beach bum. She has two teenage children, who are a constant source of amusement to her.
Shirley enjoys gardening, socialising with friends.