‘Getting to know you’ - this week Susan Wiggans of Littleport’s Branching Out charity answers the questions

Who are you?

Susan Wiggans

What do you do?

I am the general manager of Branching Out charity. We support 37 people per week with learning disabilities and we run two charity shops on the High Street in Littleport and in Chatteris. My job is to be responsible for all the day to day running of the charity, which makes for a very varied day. I like to make sure that any money Branching Out spends is spent with local organisations whenever we can. As an organisation, we like to support the local community and be part of the community.

Why would people know you?

Because of the above.

Give us at least five pet hates.

I don’t like it when people throw their litter out of car windows.

I don’t like lying, everyone makes mistakes so be open about it, learn from it and be someone people can trust.

I don’t like it when people refer to adults with learning disabilities as children, they know they are adults and I know people mean well but how are their rights going to be respected if people don’t understand a basic thing like that.

I don’t like it when people have a short-sighted view about voting for spending cuts in social care and at the same time having massive expectations from social care that is not funded adequately. People working in social care work to very high training standards and adequate funding should be available to reflect that in their pay. Considering training requirements and pay rates compared to other sectors it is wrong. A large part of the population will need social care at some stage and voters should ask themselves if they want the people supporting them to be adequately trained.

I don’t’ like arrogant behaviour, by that I mean when someone decides they do not need to listen because they think they are too important. It prevents ideas and unique solutions

Is it time for Britain to abolish the Royal Family?

No, it’s part of our collective history and is what makes us different.

What is your favourite thing about East Cambridgeshire?

The sunsets are amazing.

Favourite sports team (any sport)?

I don’t watch sports, but I do like going to the gym.

Place you would never want to return to and why?

I wouldn’t want to return to school. I found it boring apart from art and PE. I never understood why I needed to estimate how long it would take me to wash up in a cooking lesson, it takes as long as it takes (sorry to all those Home Economic teachers) I just liked doing rather than theory.

Who was your childhood hero and why?

Black Beauty, I have always loved horses.

What character would you dress as for a fancy dress party?

I think I would make an excuse not to go. I did say my sense of humour was 8 out of 10. You have just found out why it isn’t 10 out of 10!