I'm Denise Colbert, the new Engagement Co-ordinatorfor Free UK Genealogy, and I will be supporting communications and volunteering. I've had a varied career but during the last fewyears I have used my skills and experiences volunteering with Wigan Archivesand Local Studies which has brought me to this happy point.

I started out as a secondary science teacher. Historyhas always been my passion, but my father suggested that science was the futureand 'where the jobs would be' so I took his sage advice and really enjoyedlearning about the scientific principles that underpin our everyday lives. Isuspected that teaching would satisfy my desire to gain and share knowledge,and it really did. However, after a time I started to feel pulled in a differentdirection. I was devouring historical fiction, quizzing the elders in my familyabout their elders, and obsessively watching 'Who Do You Think You Are?'. Thewinds of change were blowing!

I started volunteering in Wigan Archives and LocalStudies around this time. My teaching background enabled meto develop and deliver a series of Local History workshops forprimary schools, which were very well received. They then contracted me to domore, going forward. While compiling my own Family Tree I helped otherswith theirs, conducting Family History workshops in the archives. I soon began tooffer my research services in a professional capacity, which led to me beingcontracted to perform genealogical research on canal boatmenfamilies for The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. I stillremain actively involved with Wigan Archives, writing articles for PastForward, their quarterly local history publication.

I realised during this time that heritage has a greatcapacity to engage people of all ages and abilities, and can bequite therapeutic. I set up Heritage for Health CIC, which offers bespoke localhistory-based services for people who could benefit from them, including thosewith dementia, autism and Asperger's.

I'm excited to be joining the Free UK Genealogy team,and really looking forward to the coming months.