Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Mel Hardwick, arts director

Mel Hardwick work as arts director for the Free Space Gallery, an initiative based in the Kentish Town Health Centre on Bartholomew Road. “I love my work, as it allows me to curate shows by both local and national artists,” she says, “as well as get direct feedback on the work from the patients and staff.” Prior to this Mel, who studied archaeology and human rights at university, provided arts activities to Chelsea Pensioners.

When were you happiest?
Watching the sun set from Parliament Hill; and then heading to the Bull & Gate for a pint.

Where would you like to live?
Heath View – a wonderful building opposite the Lido. It has one of those lifts with the wire screens that you draw across. To me that is aspirational living.

What is your favourite sound or smell?
I actually commute now. Having lived in Kentish Town for a number of years, I moved southeast last summer to be able to afford to buy. I still work in NW5, of course, and I pass by the new bakery on the corner of Patshull Road daily, which always smells tempting.

What is your greatest life achievement?
Hopefully still to come.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
It’s your responsibility to make space in the world for your own dreams – which takes dogged determination.

What is your earliest memory round here?
Sitting in McDonald’s watching the world go by, when I was waiting for a job interview which would end up with me still working in the area four years later.

What makes you unhappy?
Endless grey days in winter.

What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
Having a garden.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Always getting involved in dance-offs while possessing a lack of ability.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Phoenicia Food Hall’s broad bean and aubergine salads; or cakes from Earth.

Where do you hang out?
Mario’s Cafe, the Grafton, the Brewery. Such wonderful places, in easy stumbling distance of each other.

What’s been your best experience here?
Building snow men on the Heath at silly o’clock in the morning after a night out.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My big toes; or my feet in general.

Tell us a secret.
I’m lucky enough sometimes to be alone in the Health Centre, which has brilliant acoustics. I take full advantage of this with my own rendition of musical numbers. It’s so rare in the city that you can really belt out a number with no-one complaining.

What has your career taught you?
To trust your instinct – and use Google Calendar diligently.

What is your favourite dish and why?
My mum cooks something called Paddy’s chicken which is marinated with dried fruits. I really love that.

What did you do today?
I’m at work, so I have mainly been answering emails and updating the website. But the beauty of my role is that I get to do a load of different things that often involve being away from my desk and up a ladder.

Describe yourself as an animal.
Giraffe – tall and rather ungainly; I look hilarious if I try to fight.