Catherine is a passionate advocate for inclusion, using her lived experience to help others navigate the digital world. As a Digital Champion with Starting Point, she supports people who face multiple barriers to getting online, whether through disability, neurodivergence, or lack of access to digital skills.

But Catherine’s journey into tech hasn’t been straightforward.

She describes herself as “late-diagnosed neurodivergent,” and has spent years caring for her two children, who are also neurodivergent, largely on her own after being widowed. Alongside this, she has worked hard to build a new career path, one that has taken her into the world of digital and accessibility.

When Catherine first began volunteering, she was working as a part-time receptionist in Adult Social Care, having been redeployed during lockdown. Today, she is a full-time Content Designer and Digital Accessibility Apprentice, a significant career change that she credits, in part, to her volunteering experience.

“Volunteering boosted my confidence, gave me new experience on my CV, and helped me to see the value in my personal experiences as well.”

Catherine’s motivation to volunteer comes from a deep understanding of what it feels like to struggle.

“I know what it’s like to struggle, for many reasons. Accessing digital services can be really difficult for some people, especially those who haven’t grown up with it.”

One of her earliest memories of helping someone with digital skills was supporting her Nana to use Skype to speak to family abroad. That moment stayed with her, it showed her how powerful digital inclusion can be in connecting people and opening up opportunities.

Through her volunteering, Catherine has been able to bring that empathy into practice. Whether supporting learners one-to-one or contributing to wider projects, she ensures that accessibility and understanding are always at the forefront.

Over the past five years, Catherine’s role as a volunteer has evolved. She initially supported an online digital group during lockdown, helping people who didn’t feel safe attending in-person sessions due to health conditions or disabilities.

Her approach has always been patient, flexible, and tailored to individual needs.

Now, she contributes as part of the Starting Point steering group, offering insight and guidance shaped by both her professional expertise and lived experience. She also plays a key role in improving accessibility across Starting Point’s resources, helping ensure that learners and volunteers alike can engage with digital content more easily.

Her volunteering hasn’t just supported others—it has directly influenced her career.

“When I became a content designer, I knew why pages had to be the way they were—I’d met the people we were trying to reach.”

In August 2025, Catherine began a Digital Accessibility Apprenticeship, taking her skills even further and moving towards becoming a specialist in the field.

Catherine’s story highlights how volunteering can act as a powerful stepping stone—particularly for women looking to enter or transition into careers in tech.

By building confidence, gaining practical experience, and developing a clear sense of purpose, volunteering helped Catherine reimagine what was possible for her career.

She has even recently taken part in a podcast, sharing her experiences and promoting her employer as a supportive workplace for neurodivergent women in tech.

“I’ve always said that volunteering opens doors—it can take you places you’ve never imagined you could go.”

Catherine continues to use her voice to encourage others who may see themselves in her story.

“I am happy to share my story if it helps others to say, ‘that’s me, I can do that too.’”

Her journey is a powerful reminder that talent and potential exist everywhere, and that with the right support, opportunities, and confidence, people can overcome barriers and build meaningful careers.

At Starting Point, we’re incredibly grateful for Catherine’s ongoing contribution, insight, and commitment to making digital inclusion a reality for more people.

Thank you, Catherine, for being the change you want to see.