MARIA
Head of Training
I have spent 20 years in teaching and supporting adults in the education system. I have a BA Hons in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and have enjoyed the experience of working with SEND students, which I believe deserve more than just an education. It is now time to set myself a worthwhile and rewarding adventure.
The outdoors has played an important role during my time in education. Assisting expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh Award has been a highlight, as has arranging the annual residential trip for SEND students, who get to experience a week away from home.
I am a keen angler, and fish competitively throughout the year, having managed the local fishing association for several years. Fishing offers a sense of calm and a breath of the outdoors, which is very beneficial for those leading a busy or challenging lifestyle.
Crafting and crocheting are huge passions of mine. I make crocheted items to order and have sold them at local craft fairs.
Teaching has been the main focus of my life, but now I believe is the right time to enhance the experience of young adult learners who deserve to live life to the fullest.
CATHERINE
Head of Therapy
My career began as I trained to be a journalist, until being bitten by the travel bug and then spent the next seven years as an officer in the merchant navy, cruising the world and exploring the many challenges that went with it.
After leaving sea, I retrained as a teacher, working in Special Education Needs at a secondary school in Plymouth and then working in adult mental health and finally returning to a further education college in Lincolnshire and trained as a life coach, counsellor and also in Health and Social Care.
I continued to enjoy writing, and published six books. My love of the outdoors also helped me work as a regional outdoor writer where I wrote books on Lincolnshire walks as part of a series of national books: Kiddiwalks in Lincolnshire; Dog Walks in Lincolnshire; Pub Walks in Lincolnshire.
I love to travel and explore and the outdoors, music, writing and rugby. I have completed several charity treks, including Peru, the Grand Canyon, Australia’s Blue Mountains and the three peaks.
I always thought I would write for a living. Fate had a hand in changing that which led to a completely different future for me. I was led by intuition and learnt to trust it. Life, after all, is for living.
HEIDI
Heidi is our Therapy Dog with her own special ‘cuddle’ chair, ready to receive cuddles and support from whoever needs it. She is happiest watching the world go by and being around people.
Heidi loves coffee mornings, days out, socialising and meeting other dogs. Last year, she began having swimming lessons to build up her confidence around water so that she could enjoy the warm weather playing in the rivers with Dylan. She adores being in the car with the windows down listening to rock music and her favourite toys are always ‘pink.’ Heidi lives with our therapy dog, Dylan.
Heidi is always keen to meet new people and visit different places, and she can’t wait to greet new visitors and become friends.
DYLAN
Dylan is a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel, who lives with his owner, Catherine. He’s our wonderful therapy dog.
Dylan adores being around people, and long walks in the countryside. His favourite past-times are swimming – any time of year – playing with a ball, and coffee mornings in town. His favourite food is chicken.
Dylan often volunteers at the weekend as a ‘Tailwalker’ at the local Parkrun, making sure everyone has safely got through the course. He also regularly visits a local dementia care home as a therapy dog where the residents get so much joy from seeing him.
Dylan’s visits provides comfort and affection to the residents. It generates a relaxation and stress-reducing response and can bring up happy memories of them once owning a dog and sharing their stories.
