Bernadette has served as a Councillor for over two years and is passionate about being actively involved in Southbourne, where she lives with her husband, a military veteran. She sits on the Lower Gardens Committee and the Standards Committee, and frequently substitutes on the Planning Committee—a particular area of interest for her, given the concerns it raises within her ward.

Before becoming a Councillor, Bernadette volunteered at the Well Woman Centre in Salisbury and organised fundraising events for charities such as Help for Heroes, along with causes that were close to her heart. Today, she continues to use her organisational skills to bring people together, playing a key role in establishing two community groups: Friends of Seafield Gardens (FoSG) and the Southbourne Wick and Tuckton Action Group (SWAT).

She is also an active member of the Southbourne Forum, where she often speaks at public meetings, and regularly attends Hengistbury Head Residents Association (HENRA) meetings to answer residents’ questions. In addition, she is a strong supporter of Hengistbury Head Outdoors; a committed parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Southbourne and writes a regular column for the Southbourne Eye magazine.

For Bernadette, community service is not just about making a difference but also about making connections. She values the support of Southbourne residents, many of whom take leading roles in local projects close to their hearts.