I first joined Communigrow as a volunteer in 2008 after a career break to look after my two children. I began my career working as a class teacher in primary schools. Realising that my real passion was for supporting young people with additional needs, I moved into special education, working with students with a range of difficulties including profound and multiple disabilities. Volunteering at Communigrow reinforced what I have always believed - that children learn best when they are engaged in hands-on activities in a nurturing and supportive environment. Working as manager of the Communigrow Field School means that I get to work in an amazing setting and meet lots of really inspiring young people, many of whom face huge disadvantages in their lives.

I am new to Communigrow but I am really enjoying the work we are doing with local schools; I love what the charity stands for. I see my job as to engage and excite local schools so that their children get to discover what a hidden gem we have at the Field School. Previously I worked in primary education for 35 years and for 20 of these as a Head Teacher and Executive Head Teacher of primary schools in Lewisham, Kent and Redbridge.