The Mayor of Queenborough has spoken of the difficulties of growing up with dyslexia in the hope her story will inspire others to never give up.

Zoè Swarbrick has been a town councillor for 10 years and is now in her third year of holding office as Mayor. She’s also a mother-of-three and is a full-time childminder.

But her life hasn’t been without challenges and, to this day, she still suffers with dyslexia, a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.

The 41-year-old, who lives in Queenborough, said: “School was hard. I struggled when I was at primary school, but it wasn’t until I got to near the end of secondary school that me and my parents noticed it more.

“I wasn’t able to keep up with other children, I felt like I had been left out sometimes or I got picked on for not doing things the same.

“But people weren’t as aware about these kinds of issues as they are today.”

She added: “If my dyslexia was picked up sooner, and I had had more support at school, I might have been able to do things sooner, rather than later - but it’s never stopped me and I’m proud to have accomplished so much.

“When I get stuck on things I think to myself: ‘Hang on, you’ve done this much, don’t give up’.

“My advice to anyone who is struggling or thinks they could be dyslexic, is to talk about it. Talk to your family, your friends, whoever you feel comfortable talking to - and never be afraid to ask questions.”

Mrs Swarbrick said she wanted to study childcare in Minster College’s sixth form, so she needed to do a health and social care course first to get the grades for the diploma.

However, she recalls her parents being told they did not think she would be able to do it.

“I remember my mum saying to them: ‘Just give her a chance, see how far she gets’,” Mrs Swarbrick said. “Two years later, I passed.

“Being told I wouldn’t be able to do it and having my mum spurring me on made me want to do it.

“Never give up, that’s what I tell my children. You might have to fight a little harder, but you will get there.”

After the birth of her first daughter, Lauren, in 2009 Mrs Swarbrick started childminding. She’s now Ofsted-registered, has 10 youngsters on her roll and was rated ‘Outstanding’ in her latest inspection.

A year later, she became a Queenborough town councillor voluntarily.

“When you go for it, you have to do a little speech about why you want to be a councillor and I just thought there and then, I’m dyslexic and it may take me a little while to read it,” Mrs Swarbrick said.

“But when I came back into the room afterwards, they said yes, I’d got it.”

“I never ever thought I’d make it to deputy mayor, let alone mayor.”

In fact, other town councillors nominated her and her assured her to ‘go for it’.

She added: “It’s given me so much confidence.”

Mrs Swarbrick said the role came with challenges, including understanding local government terminology in agendas.

“My advice to anyone who is struggling or thinks they could be dyslexic, is to talk about it. Talk to your family, your friends, whoever you feel comfortable talking to - and never be afraid to ask questions.”

“I have to use Google a lot,” she said, “and I normally go through the reports with the town clerk, Lisa, so if I have any questions, she can help.

“I find it hard but I’ve got a way round it. The other councillors also often step in to help, which is great.”

She added: “I’ve found it particularly hard this year with everyone being online and remote, especially with Zoom meetings, but we’re all still trying to do as much as we can.”

Her highlights include her mayoral work.

“I just love being able to get out in the community and help organisations.”

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