Tom Somerville
Harrow,Middlesex
Summary
Excellent written and communication skills deployed to support and inform clients, from a variety of backgrounds and capabilities. Very strong at building and maintaining a narrative, direction and argumentation in written communication. Hardworking and committed to providing the best possible service to the job in hand. Flexible, used to working in a team and individually. Strong research skills across a variety of subjects and source material. Good at problem solving and generally approaching an issue with a mind toward best-possible outcomes.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
6039
6039
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Researcher, history project
Harrow Association of Disabled People
Harrow
07.2025 - Current
- Performing research, in a variety of formats, into the history of autistic and neurodivergent people in Harrow.
- Primarily utilising interviews, archival evidence, medical records, media records and other sources.
- The project is called 'From institution to inclusion' and is funded by the National Lottery.
Welfare benefits Trainer
Harrow Association of Disabled People
Harrow, Middlesex
07.2025 - Current
- Training, monitoring and mentoring my replacements in HAD's welfare benefits team.
- Sharing and teaching theoretical, legislative and practical knowledge gleaned from 7 years of being a welfare benefits officer.
- Helping develop effective coordination amongst different teams at HAD to meet the needs of clients and appointees.
Welfare Benefits Officer
Harrow Association of Disabled People
Harrow, Middlesex
06.2018 - 08.2025
- Built HAD's Universal Credit service entirely by myself.
- Advocated on behalf of hundreds of members of the public over 7 years to foster access to established rights and services.
- Very High success rate at achieving material financial ends for clients and appointees.
- Applied strong writing and analytical skills to successfully build cases for clients to challenge decisions.
- Analysed financial situation, goals and needs of clients.
- Addressed referral decisions and handled related documentation to support clients; high success rate of mandatory reconsiderations, appeals, maladministration complaints etc.
- Regularly communicated with MPs and public bodies such as the DWP on behalf of clients & appointees.
- Assisted appointees team running UC claims and developing effective system for managing multiple claimants effectively in a small organisation.
- Maintained client records with strict attention to data security protocols.
- Developed customised solutions, tactics and strategy catered toward achieving the maximum outcome meeting individual needs of clients and appointees.
Research and evidence
Migration Advisory Committee
07.2021 - 11.2021
- Asked by a Disabled Peoples Organisation to give feedback to the governments Migration Advisory Committee on the impact of Brexit and ending of free movement on social care in the UK.
- Carried out research and interviews with a number of individuals receiving social care, collating that into evidence which I submitted to the committee.
- Contacted and spoke to head of a care company and journalists from both the BBC and Guardian to bolster evidence and research.
Writer/content contributor
Variety
10.2007 - 06.2016
- Researched and wrote a number of articles for a variety of published magazines, papers and websites including; Tribune Magazine, Shoutout.org.uk, africasustainableconservation.com, The Boar (Warwick University paper) and Poplife.Gr (now defunct website, my articles were translated into Greek.)
- Wrote on a variety of topics; cricket, welfare reforms, international politics, events in London, the Ebola crisis etc.
- My ebola article has been cited in academically published histories of Africa.
Assistant editor
Rugby Football Union (RFU)
Twickenham, Richmond upon Thames
06.2010 - 09.2011
- Wrote and edited content for numerous of the Rugby Football Union's media sources; international match day programmes, monthly RFU newsletter Touchline, Injured Players Foundation newsletter and the RFU's website.
- Conducted interviews to gather insights for articles.
- Researched relevant topics to support article development.
- Produced and edited articles to a timeline.
- Researched issues and checked facts, maintaining high standard of journalistic integrity.
Researcher
Professor Anthony McFarlane, Warwick University
, Warwickshire
06.2008 - 10.2008
- Using digital and hard copy newspaper archives, researched and presented analysis into the reaction of the British press towards Simon Bolivar and the South American Wars of Independence.
- Online research and archival research. Presented findings both in raw data and informed analysis.
Writer
BBC
12.2003 - 08.2006
- Wrote articles detailing my recovery process from a spinal injury playing rugby in 2003, published on the BBC health website.
- Also during this period did a few media appearances on TV and radio to give my opinion on rugby rule changes at the time.
Education
Master of Arts - Philosophy & Critical Theory
Kingston University, CRMEP
Kingston upon ThamesBachelor of Arts - History & Sociology
University of Warwick
CoventryMaster of Arts - Development Studies
SOAS
LondonGCSEs - 9 GCSE'S
St Columba's College
St Albans, HertfordshireA-Levels - English, History and Sociology
Millhill County High School
Mill Hill, Barnet 09.2004 - 07.2006
Skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Comfortable using and understanding highbrow academic/legalese language and more accessible, everyday speech, depending on the situation
- Strong research skills and experience across a wide variety of topics
- Empathetic, good natured and polite
- Used to managing multiple clients, caseloads and deadlines simultaneously
- Open minded and willing to learn
- Creative problem solver
- Happy working in a team or independently
- Track record of applying personal knowledge, training and experience to a high degree of success
- Strong analytic mind
Affiliations
- 2006-2025, Origin Care: (Occasional) Trainer for new spinal injury care workers.
- 2013-2018: Online book/media seller. Small scale but successful selling second hand-books, DVDs, CD’s on various platforms.
- 2005: Proofreading/feedback on award winning Sherry Ashworth novel ‘Paralysed’.
- 2005, BBC: Radio journalism/editing work experience, 1xtra.
Timeline
Researcher, history project
Harrow Association of Disabled People
07.2025 - Current
Welfare benefits Trainer
Harrow Association of Disabled People
07.2025 - Current
Research and evidence
Migration Advisory Committee
07.2021 - 11.2021
Welfare Benefits Officer
Harrow Association of Disabled People
06.2018 - 08.2025
Assistant editor
Rugby Football Union (RFU)
06.2010 - 09.2011
Researcher
Professor Anthony McFarlane, Warwick University
06.2008 - 10.2008
Writer/content contributor
Variety
10.2007 - 06.2016
A-Levels - English, History and Sociology
Millhill County High School
09.2004 - 07.2006
Writer
BBC
12.2003 - 08.2006
Master of Arts - Philosophy & Critical Theory
Kingston University, CRMEP
Bachelor of Arts - History & Sociology
University of Warwick
Master of Arts - Development Studies
SOAS
GCSEs - 9 GCSE'S
St Columba's College
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