I joined the Bucks Free Press team as a community reporter around one year ago after moving to the area from Manchester.

I hail from Finland (some say the happiest country in the world). Over the past 11 years I’ve studied and worked in the UK, Germany and France – sometimes it’s hard to keep track of all the places! 

When I moved to Buckinghamshire, I had not long ago finished my NCTJ journalism diploma.

The role at BFP couldn’t have been more perfect after being involved with hyper local community radio and an independent online publication The Meteor in Manchester. 

Some of the most memorable moments during my studies involved covering protests, a passionate litter picker keeping south Manchester clean and the pay problems faced by Deliveroo drivers. 

Before becoming a journalist, I worked in housing research, but the coronavirus pandemic – while being mostly tough and weird  - helped me to fulfil my dream and make the career change into journalism. 

As a community reporter, I get a chance to listen to people and learn about their lives at a deeper level, which is a privilege and something I missed while working in research. Some people I speak to have been sidelined for years and they need someone to hear them out. 

READ MORE: Chesham MP calls for more cash to help NHS Trusts with repairs

Of course the war and suffering in Ukraine has cast a shadow over the past year. Ukrainians have shown incredible resilience, while local residents and numerous groups have stood up to support fellow humans the best they can. 

The reporting job also gives me an opportunity to witness big and small celebrations involving the community – or on occasion almost an entire country such as during Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee last year. 

Memorable moments in my job include an interview with Keir Starmer in the aftermath of ‘Partygate’ last year, speaking with an 11-year-old Mensa member, visit to the DWP picket line and stumbling across a bomb scare in High Wycombe only weeks ago. 

Getting stuck in with all things Buckinghamshire has been rewarding – especially getting to know Chesham, Amersham and Little Chalfont, which is the patch I cover. 

The area has so much going on thanks to the brilliant and welcoming people, so it's for a good reason Amersham was crowned the best place to live in the county. 

One of the best things I discovered last year was the Chess Valley walk, some of which dates back to the Roman times. I’ve become slightly obsessed with the river, and it’s been great to speak with the people working hard to protect it and the surrounding nature. 

There’s never a boring day in local news!