The next team member we meet in our two-minute interview is Mandy McPhee
Mandy is our diocesan safeguarding advisor and has been working in her role for 7 years. She previously worked as a senior police officer for West Midlands constabulary. Mandy lives in the north of the diocese and enjoys walking her dogs and horse riding in her spare time. She also enjoys visiting the races.
I: Hello Mandy. Great to chat to you as part of our 2-min interview series. First question is nice and easy - If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
MMcP: I love travel and have already visited many places in the world including Australia and New Zealand – however the one place I haven’t yet visited is India and that is definitely on my list of places to go. I would like to travel throughout India and take in all the many varied regions, landscapes and culinary delights.
I: Yes, travel and eating are popular amongst diocesan colleagues. So second question, What skill would you like to master?
MMcP: I studied French at school and scrapped a pass at GCSE – however, I really would like to master the skill of learning languages. This would enable me to get more out of my travels and bring me closer to the people who live in those countries.
I: I love languages too they certainly help when you're travelling and I enjoy trying to learn a few helpful words when I visit a country whose language I don't know well. So our next question is another challenging one - What is your favourite book of The Bible?
MMcP: Good question – up until I did this job the last time I looked at a Bible was when I went to school, which was quite some time ago. However, I was very lucky to have been gifted a bible by one of the parishes I visited a number of years ago. I have it by my bedside and often reach for it and let it fall open wherever it chooses to. I then go and discuss it with a dear friend of mine who gives spiritual direction within the diocese. It is with her help and guidance I have a far better understanding of the bible and being Christian. I am particularly enjoying learning about Jesus’s life. I see him as an ideal role model and often refer to him when delivering safeguarding training.
I: My final question is very predictable and you probably know this already. It's the one we ask everyone. What do you enjoy about working at Hereford Diocese?
MMcP: I have now worked for Hereford Diocese for nearly 7 years and yet it doesn’t feel like 5 minutes. I love the parishes and places I visit in carrying out my role. I never tire of travelling up and down and across the diocese meeting lovely committed hardworking Christian people doing God’s work.