Hazel is a local Councillor for Worthing Borough Council ,deputy Lib Dem group leader and shadow spokesperson for Health,Safety and Well-being and currently Worthing's Champion for Children and Young People.
Since her election in 2000 to Worthing Borough Council, she has been involved in a range of community topics, housing, the environment, disability access, planning and youth matters. She works hard for her Ward of Tarring, responding to residents needs and campaigning for a better health scheme in Worthing.
Hazel was born in Ilford, Essex, and worked as one of the first draughtswomen for London Transport creating car parks from coal yards, and drawing the "You are Here" maps and moved to Chelmsford when she married. She studied with the Open University whilst bringing up her family, two daughters, at home.
On completion of her first degree, she entered the teaching profession as a teacher of Mathematics and Special Educational Needs, on the same day and at the same Secondary school as her eldest daughter.
During her school career, she taught a variety of subjects, including Art and Graphics and led a team of support staff as a Special Needs Coordinator, and introduced SEN and Disability Discrimination Access legislation into the school environment. She went on to gain a Master 's degree in Education, having first been awarded a Higher Education Diploma. Although she has left fulltime education, she is still attached to education as an Educational Consultant and works for an independent Children's home.
Hazel started her career in politics by initiating a local residents' association, working with the Worthing Information Shop and continues her work in the Community through charities; as the Chair of West Tarring, Boys' Club, an Enable Me 3 Towns Trustee , an educational disability awareness scheme which covers Worthing, Littlehampton and Bognor, and a member of Homestart, a group who support lone parents and children to get the best out of life.
She is a member of several party related organisations, Women's Liberal Democrats, Gender Balance Task Force, the Green Liberal Democrats, Christian Forum and Liberal Democrats Education Association.
Hazel stood for Parliament in the 2005 General Election in Brighton Pavilion and raised the Liberal democrat vote by 3.5 % in a short space of time.
Given the chance to relax, Hazel enjoys a good book, attending the theatre and cinema, socialising with family and friends, and gardening. She believes in giving quality time to her family, husband , two daughters, two stepsons and three grandchildren especially, and likes to travel . She also supports the Arts in the community in any form. Hazel is a member of the Methodist Church.