"That's what you want to see - a legacy" - Nikki Ind shares her story

Like all our members, Independent Councillor Nikki Ind is incredibly passionate about her community and the people she meets through her work. However, she is not aligned to any political party and feels this has helped her to fully represent the range of views of her residents.

Meeting Nikki, it’s clear how much she cares about the people she meets and supports.

At the heart of everything she does is a simple belief - if you want good things to happen, someone has to step forward and make them happen.

Despite her many achievements she hasn’t lost touch with where she began - "I'm just an ordinary girl really" she says. "But if you really want to do something and put your mind to it, you can do it."

Today, Nikki is a well-known councillor, former Chair and Vice Chair of Cotswold District Council and Mayor of Tetbury and a well-known face in the town and its surrounding villages.

Alongside her council work, she is also involved in one of Tetbury's oldest and most historic institutions - the Feoffees, elected to the ‘Thirteen’ becoming only the third woman in its history to achieve the honour.

But her journey to local government can traced far before this. Born in Cirencester Hospital and educated at Stratton School and Deer Park, Nikki admits to never being particularly academic.

"I never got A-levels. I never went to university," she says. "My 15-year-old self would never have believed that my name would be on that board in that chamber."

She had an instinct to get involved from an early age. At the age of 11, after noticing a row of empty alms-houses in Gloucester, she wrote to the County Council at Shire Hall to question why buildings were being left unused when people needed homes. Her mother kept both the replies and was the one who encouraged her.

"I was one of those kids who always put their hand up. I was just driven!"

This determined attitude stayed with her through adulthood. After working up to become an operations manager for a bank in Bristol, life changed when she became a mother.

"This baby arrived and I thought, I don't think I should be driving into Bristol every day."

She found a part-time role at Tetbury Hospital and what began as a reception job soon grew into a wider role, making use of the skills she had gained in banking. Importantly, it put her in the centre of life in her adopted town.

Although she had lived in Tetbury for several years, it was through raising her children, volunteering and working locally that the town really became her home. "Tetbury became my life," she says, adding “my husband Simon has been my constant support, enabling me to volunteer for organisations in the evenings whilst looking after the children. Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to become as involved in my community as I am.”

One of the defining moments in Nikki's story came during the devastating floods of Christmas 2012.

At the time, her father was terminally ill and being cared for at home. At this incredibly difficult time for the family, floodwater entered her parents’ house.

It was during this crisis that she met local councillor Joe Harris, who tirelessly checked in on the family and did everything he could to help at a time when so many were needing support.

Years later, when considering standing for election Nikki remembered that experience.

"I always say that without my dad being ill and without that flood taking place, I don't think I'd be sitting here."

When she did decide to stand, one thing was never in doubt, she would be an independent candidate.

"I don't believe this level of government should be political" she says. "I'm a voice for my residents."

Representing the large rural ward around Tetbury, she believes local government works best when councillors focus less on politics and more on practical problem-solving.  Succeeding in what had traditionally been considered a safe Conservative seat, she says residents supported her because they knew her work in the community.

"People knew me. They didn't vote for the party."

Although not aligned to a political party, she has a fondness for her councillor colleagues and has always found cross-party cooperation possible.

"At the end of the day, we're all working for the benefit of our residents."

One achievement she is particularly proud of is helping establish Tetbury's Friendship Café. What began as a 12-week pilot grew into a successful community initiative attracting around 50 people a week.

It began as a simple idea - a friendly place where people could meet, talk and feel connected. “The first week we had two ladies" she says. "I thought, I've imagined this thing and now I've got to make it work."

Years later, the project continues to thrive and is now run by Tetbury Area Youth & Community Trust as part of their Community Hub.

"That's what you want to see" she says. "A legacy."

However, her concern about loneliness stems from much earlier in her career. Working behind the counter at the bank, she remembers elderly customers who came in every day. A colleague asked why one customer didn't simply withdraw enough money for the week at once.

"I said, don't you understand? She doesn't see anybody else. It takes two minutes to have a conversation with somebody. I might be the only person she speaks to that day."

This same empathy continues to shape her work serving the public. She says, "I treat everybody as if they're my mum or dad."

Yet despite her many roles and achievements, Nikki remains focused on the future. Whatever the outcome, she sees opportunity in local government reorganisation, particularly for rural communities. "I'm a glass-half-full girl" she says.

She believes towns and parishes could gain greater influence over their own futures, provided local views continue to be heard and for this to succeed – “partnership working is vital."

It’s something she has returned to time and time again – helping to solve problems requires listening, collaboration and just as she did aged 11, refusing to ignore something if it doesn’t seem right.

In Nikki’s words – “If you don't ask, the worst thing that can happen is someone says no."

Find out more about our Lasting Legacy project here: Lasting Legacy: sharing memories - Cotswold District Council