Grace Couch

Grace Couch is the Senior Climate Project Manager for the London Borough of Waltham Forest and a Maidstone Borough Councillor for the Green Party. After a lifelong affinity with local government, she credits Kent for helping to push her into a political career – highlighting, in particular, the support offered by Careers and Employability Service.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

I was fortunate enough to undertake work experience placements with a number of councils via the Employability Points scheme while at UKC.

After a brief stint in the Mayor’s Office at London Borough of Hackney working on the pandemic-related influx of case work, I was contacted by Swale Borough Council to interview for their new ‘Climate and Ecological Emergency Project Officer’ role, having previously completed work experience in their team. Here, I was able to build my knowledge of local government structures and the opportunities for carbon reduction, before moving onto a more senior role at Waltham Forest.

I’ve always (for some bizarre reason!) had an affinity with local government and the potential it holds to improve people’s lives, which is why I also made the decision to run in the recent local elections.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

My workday can be quite varied – most often I am meeting with other council teams or external stakeholders to deliver projects set out in our Climate Action Plan.

As a climate team, we often work in a co-ordinating role to ensure carbon reduction principles are embedded in other teams within the Council. This may include working to improve council owned housing, reducing energy usage from our own buildings, promoting the work of the active travel team, or protecting biodiversity and making planning conditions amendable to retrofit works.

In my role, I am focused on tackling fuel poverty as one of the key co-benefits of taking action on the climate emergency. This includes working with energy companies to deliver the ECO Flex and Great British Insulation Scheme programmes, as well as collaborating on retrofit projects with the Greater London Authority.

My recent election to Maidstone Borough Council has extended my workday, and includes responding to residents in my ward, advocating for their needs, and commenting on planning applications. As the largest party on the council, we are currently working on our programme for the next four years in collaboration with the Liberal Democrat councillors in our administrative coalition.

A lot of my Council responsibilities will unfold overtime, having only been elected very recently, however I know a priority for me will be working towards a work-life balance!

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

In 2022 I was the recipient of the Municipal Journals’ ‘Rising Star’ award for my work at Swale Borough Council. I was incredibly honoured to be nominated (let alone win!) and was especially grateful for the testimonials submitted by my manager, colleagues and organisations I was working with at the time.

My time at Swale was challenging – entering the workplace during the rollercoaster of changing covid restrictions and lockdowns was certainly interesting – so I am proud of my achievements, including a strong shift in organisational culture when it came to embedding sustainability.

However, I think my overriding professional highlight would have to be my recent election success. Although the next four years feels incredibly daunting, and I feel a lot of imposter-syndrome over the responsibility I now hold, I know that uni-student me would be incredibly proud!

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

Although my politics degree obviously helped push me into a political career, I owe a lot of my success to the Careers and Employability Service. Having been involved in the work-study programme, I was fortunate enough to attend many careers events and talks where I learnt practical skills like CV writing and how to ace an interview. The team were incredibly supportive, which was a huge confidence booster.

My role as President of the ‘Uni Boob Team’ for breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel was also helpful. Nothing improves your public speaking ability more than addressing the men’s rugby team while wearing a giant inflatable boob!

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

I think local government in general should be seen as an opportunity for more students. There is often a skills shortage and struggle to recruit, however the work is rewarding and could do with the input of more young voices.

A lot of local council information is easily available online; you can look at your local council’s corporate strategy, meeting minutes, and plans on their website. I would recommend accessing these ahead of an interview or application.

There are also so many sustainability jobs available at the moment, across both the public and private sector. I would suggest looking at online accreditations and then working towards upskilling yourself on the certifications that different organisations require. It’s always good to show genuine passion by getting stuck in to projects in your local area like litter picks or community growing projects.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

I think my favourite memory would have to be my second year freshers fair. Running around campus in the aforementioned giant inflatable boob costume to recruit new members and spread awareness of our text reminder service will go down as one of the funniest days on campus. The support from other societies and the general sense of community on those days at Kent will always stay with me.

Another highlight was meeting my best friend. We saw each other through essay deadlines and exams at university and she is still my rock now we’re both navigating working life!

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I don’t think so. It feels cliché to say, but I think is true. I’ve always said that you get out as much as you put in and I threw myself into it all! I attended extracurricular lectures, sang in the Kent Sing Choir, danced in the Ballroom and Latin society, and was President of the Uni Boob Team. I feel that my professional success has been shaped by the transferrable skills I gained through all these experiences.

If anything, I would probably tell past me to get some more sleep!

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

I’m still in touch with the lovely staff within the Careers and Employability Service and I must also give a shout out to Dr Jane O’Mahoney in the School of Politics and International Relations, who was one the most supportive members of academic staff I encountered at Kent.

What are your future ambitions?

My short-term ambitions are to take things slow. I think there’s a lot of pressure after school and university to be constantly moving through your early twenties and always working to achieve the next thing – often at the detriment of your mental health.

Alongside focusing on my new councillor responsibilities and working to make a positive change, I’m looking forward to taking some time to travel and spend time with my family.

After that, who knows? Maybe this is just the start of my political career.