I was born and brought up on the Gaer in Newport and attended Duffryn Comprehensive School (now The John Frost School) before training to be a physiotherapist.

I worked for the NHS for more than 30 years, at the Nevill Hall Hospital, Panteg Stroke Unit and Serennu Children’s Centre, and served as President of the Wales Trades Union Congress.

I was elected as MP for Newport West in 2019 following the death of my friend and political mentor Paul Flynn and became the MP for Newport West and Islwyn in July 2024.