Meet the Team

Becca is a former English teacher and also the Co-founder of the award winning charity The Girls’ Network. In June 2021 Becca was awarded an MBE in The Queen’s birthday honours list for both her work with The Literacy Hubs and The Girls’ Network. In 2017 Becca was listed as one of Forbes 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneurs. She is also the winner of the Stylist Magazine ‘Women With Heart’ Awards 2017, been featured in The Independents ‘Happy List’, a recipient of a Shaping Portsmouth Award and was awarded The Teach First Innovation award in 2012. Becca is Portsmouth born and bred and passionate about putting local female voices on the air. Each week she presents ‘In Conversation’ on Express FM where she welcomes a woman who has achieved incredible things both professionally and personally in order to share their story, wisdom and of course their favourite tracks. Becca believes that coordinated, local, action to raise literacy levels, will lead to increased educational attainment, employment and economic engagement across the city.

A book that changed her life: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

“I was given this book by one of my incredible teaching tutors and I subsequently read it to a very special year 9 class in my first year as a teacher. The class was gripped and it created the most moving discussions about love, loss and hope.”

Sarah has taught in Portsmouth and Hampshire schools for over twenty years. She is passionate about teaching and helping children develop the strategies they need to help them face the challenges of today and the future.

She loves reading and recognises the importance of children learning to read, as well as reading to learn. Joining The Literacy Hubs provides the opportunity to share her passion for reading as she aims to inspire young readers by encouraging them to ‘escape into a good book!’ “Hearing children discussing what they have read with excitement makes my heart sing.”

Sarah qualified as a yoga teacher in 2012 and uses yoga to enhance her teaching and support children to develop positive mindsets and a ‘can do’ attitude. In her spare time she enjoys cycling, camping and, of course, reading.

Favourite Books: Series including Phillip Pullman’s Dark Materials and Garth Nix’s The Old Kingdom.

Gemma was born and raised in Portsmouth, but left to study and then teach in Brighton where she stayed for 10 years. During this time, she also achieved a Masters with distinction focused on supporting children entitled to Pupil Premium funding. Gemma decided to return to Portsmouth after realising that she couldn’t imagine setting down permanent roots anywhere else.

A passion for providing opportunities and experiences for all children, and wanting to give back in a similar way that she experienced during her own upbringing in Somers Town, drove Gemma towards seeking a role at The Literacy Hubs.

In her spare time, Gemma is completing a part-time PhD, enjoys travelling and exploring new communities, and walking her sausage dog.

A book that changed her life: ‘Noughts and Crosses’ by Malorie Blackman

“One day in my secondary school library, the librarian suggested this book that changed my relationship with reading. It’s the first book that I couldn’t put down, told anyone who would listen about, and keep going back to even now!”

Lucy is a former primary school teacher who has lived just outside Portsmouth all of her life and taught in a number of Portsmouth schools whilst training and on supply. English was always her favourite subject at school and her love for reading and writing led her to pursue a degree in English & Creative Writing in 2016.

Originally, Lucy intended to teach English at A-Level but upon completing her PGCE in 2019, she found that she absolutely loved working with young readers and writers, and found their unbridled joy and creativity inspiring! The Literacy Hubs allows Lucy to combine her passion for the written word with her desire to support children of all backgrounds from the local community.

Outside of teaching, Lucy still enjoys reading and writing, especially poetry and journaling. She can also often be found scrapbooking and drawing, as well as looking after her mischievous pet rats!

A book that changed her life: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

“This book makes me cry every time I read it! I’d never read anything like it before and the author’s messages about hope, friendship and kindness are ones that I try to carry with me in real life. I think it has something for everyone and I recommend it to anyone I meet who hasn’t read it before.”

Elliot first came to Portsmouth in 2015 and completed his degree in Creative Writing and Film Studies. He loved the seaside city so much that he had to stay. After graduating he discovered he had a passion for inspiring and teaching others. He began volunteering at the Pompey Pirates hub in May 2021, and fell in love with the role.

“I was amazed by the passion and energy both the team and the Pirates had on the ship. It really was a magical experience and it was the highlight of my week when I could volunteer, and I wanted to help out as much as I could.” In November 2021 he ran 100 miles for the charity and was featured on the radio.

Elliot loves all forms of storytelling and believes all mediums (video games, film, tv art, books) have unique ways to convey a story. In his spare time he writes scripts, acts and plays video games.

A book series that made him fall in love with reading: ‘The Saga of Darren Shan‘

“I remember not being an avid reader as a child, but I couldn’t put these books down. I’d devour one after the other, gripped on the characters and worlds that came alive in my imagination alone. I found it amazing that words on a page, that from a glance all look the same, could take me on such a journey.”