GERRIE Jordan has been working with victims of domestic abuse for 20 years.

In 2006 she set up Taking Steps, a Hook-based charity which works with male and female victims of domestic abuse, offering 21-week rolling programmes and personal development groups, and with male and female perpetrators of domestic abuse groups.

The charity also works with children who have witnessed and been affected by domestic abuse, and victims of sexual abuse.

1. Who was your childhood hero and why? A man named Jimmy, who was from Nigeria. He gave me time and made me feel valued.

2. What is your most precious possession and why is it important to you? My photo album of my family either on my phone, pictures, or in my head. Each one tells me a story of a place, time or event I shared with my supportive and lovely family, which I love more than anything or anyone.

3. What was the first record/CD you bought? White Horses – it was part of a show on TV but the words of the song allowed me to escape from difficult times.

4. What is the radio/television show you hate to miss? Downton Abbey but the series is not long enough and it reminds me of Upstairs Downstairs as a child.

5. What is your favourite film? Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.  I collected lots of stuff to do with JRR Tolkien when I was younger and years later the films were made.

6. What is your pet hate? People who throw stones in glass houses.

7. What are you reading at the moment? Dean R Koontz novels, three on the go at the moment, and a book on neuro-linguistic programming.

8. If you were choosing a last meal, what would it be? Mashed potato, eggs and spaghetti.

9. If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be? Nelson Mandela. He was somebody I knew about and I cried when he was released. Amazing example.

10. If you had a time machine where would it take you? Back to the 1960s when things were changing and people were accepting diversity.

11. If you were stranded on a desert island what luxury would you choose to have with you? Simply a wind-up radio for company.

12. What sports team do you support? West Ham United.

13. What was your first job? I worked on at till at Woolworths.

14. If you could take over someone’s job for the day, whose job would you choose? An RSPCA officer, to rescue some of the animals that are so badly treated.

15. What worries you the most? People’s greed and desire to control.

16. What is your proudest moment? When Taking Steps Project became a charity.

17. What would you like your epitaph to be? She died and now sleeps in her 6in heels (not because).

18. What’s your guilty pleasure? My chickens. I have more than 40 chickens of different breeds and they are all named and spoilt. My family call it the Cluckingham Palace.

19. What one thing could change society for the better? I would make it compulsory for people to smile and say hello when they pass on the street – it is amazing the feeling when you give and receive a simple gesture….try it!

20. What three words best describe you? Firm but fair.