Councillor Emma Mills

Emma grew up in Leigh-on-Sea attending West Leigh Junior School and Westcliff High School. She then trained as an artist and teacher in the North East and London, working in state secondary schools. On returning to Leigh-on sea in 2003 Emma taught at Westcliff High School for Girls and undertook a master’s degree in Art Psychotherapy. She went on to become a visiting lecturer for Goldsmiths College on the MA Art Psychotherapy & MA Understanding Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse. As an art psychotherapist Emma has worked in the NHS, local women’s refuges and most recently for Southend Borough Council co-ordinating a mental wellbeing project in Chalkwell park.

As a practicing artist Emma has taken part in the Leigh Art Trail since 2009 and worked on the art trail committee in 2010. She is a founding member of TOMA (The Other MA) an alternative Fine Art MA based in Southend and has exhibited in several local art galleries.

“I am honoured to work on behalf of the people of my hometown and St Clements Ward. I am passionate about families and young people especially around the areas of mental health and education. My extended family live in Leigh-on-sea and my children attended local schools and I feel excited about supporting my local community.”