"A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart"

My journey to JPC Community farm started in 1990, where I became a teacher. During my journey, I have taught children between 11-18, food Technology and associated courses, Textiles, Child Development, and Health and Social Care, all of which I feel embrace the important life long skills which are invaluable to allow young people to go forward in the world with confidence. This is one of the influences which shape JPC Training for Independence as we know it.

I have always have had a passion, and get a real buzz from working with SEN pupils. One of the things I have always loved about teaching is seeing the delight a child shows when they have learned something new – when that penny drops, for SEN that delight is displayed so clearly and their enthusiasm is so infectious.

My real journey to JPC Community farm started when met with Paul and in March 2019 to discuss a “House Mother” role, the job seemed an ideal way to take a ‘side step’ in my career path, where I would be more fulfilled personally.

I was certain that this was my calling and so my husband and I decided that we were so fully committed to the project that I needed to resign from teaching and take a leap of faith. From here on in I felt free and that my commitment to JPC Community Farm grows by the day. Following my dedicated career I have been offered the opportunity to truly make a difference. I knew this was right from the moment I set foot upon the building site witch was JPC Community Farm.

Seeing the great potential this adventure had, I was extremely excited and passionate about the young people this would benefit. I imagined the small number of residents I could help in the role of house mother and thought about the other thousands of young people getting lost in the system. I envisioned a programme which encompassed all of the lifelong skills I could teach these young adults. This is where JPC Training for Independence was born.

Every day I take a moment to look around and see the young adults in my service. I feel so thankful to see the smiling faces looking back at me. The eagerness to learn, the development of skills, the increasing confidence and the look of hope and excitement for their future.