The Mayor’s Biography - Councillor Lynsey McCarthy-Calvert

Originally from Canvey Island where my late father was born and my mother and other family still live, I have lived in Benfleet for the past 14 years with my four school-age children.

I attended William Read and Furtherwick Park schools on Canvey Island before moving to East London where my parents managed a public house through my teenage years. My further education was at Westminster College studying hotel and catering before I started work in the hotel industry in central London.

14 years ago I qualified as a psychotherapist and am currently studying an honours degree for my professional development at University of East Anglia while running a small private psychotherapy practice.

For many years I chaired the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust's Maternity Voices Partnership and was the Service User Representative on the East of England Maternity Programme Board while working as a doula to support women and their families through their maternity experience.

I'm one of the founding members of the People's Independent Party and was elected as Appleton Ward member in 2022 and I am delighted to be elected as Mayor of Castle Point. I give thanks to those who have placed their trust in me to carry out my duties and I look forward to serving the community and meeting the challenges of this great honour in the coming year.