Throughout my career I have worked with a wide range of people in different settings but
always with the purpose of helping and supporting others. Settings include elderly care
homes, primary schools, SEN colleges and supporting adults with learning disabilities in
their own homes. I am passionate and driven to succeed in my career and I find jobs in
which I am supporting others incredibly rewarding.

I am currently studying my Level 5 in Supporting Teaching and Learning having already
completed my Levels 3 and 4. Whilst studying this course I have learned about a wide range
of topics to support me in the workplace including Safeguarding, Inclusive Practice and
Supporting Technology Enhanced Learning. I am particularly interested in the use of
technology to support learning and development and feel that there is a real future in
allowing children to thrive in their passions. I am aware of how popular gaming is for children
especially with the growing popularity of games like Fortnite and Minecraft and how gaming
positively impacts young people in many ways.

As well as my degree I am trained in Safeguarding, Mental Health First Aid and I hold a valid
DBS. I also have training in Supporting Learning Disabilities, PDA and ASD as well as
supporting mental health issues.

I always knew that I wanted to work in a job that supported others and truly found my
passion working at Henshaws which is a college for adults aged 16-25. There were many
dedicated departments in the college for students with learning disabilities, PDA, ASD and
other mental health issues and this allowed me to gain a wide range of experience. Every
day was different and I felt inspired by the way that each activity could be tailored to the
student and their needs.

I am neurodivergent and I am aware of my own challenges as well as ones many others
face. I have always appreciated the escapism gaming can provide and the sense of
achievement that comes with completing a new level or unlocking new features. I suffer
from hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and have found comfort in gaming especially
during flare ups which limit my activities. I am confident that I can use my own experiences
and empathy to mentor and understand the children I am supporting. I would be thrilled at
an opportunity to be able to create a safe space for others through gaming and to support
young people to thrive.

My most recent role was working in a primary school, first on an agency basis but now as a
permanent employee. Most of my day involved running intervention groups for SEN children
and reporting on their progress. It is very prominent how the pandemic has affected children
and their learning levels and well as their development and mental health. I feel it is essential
to use a variety of methods and to tailor experiences to the child in order to support them in
the best possible way. The school uses educational online games to teach children in down
time and I have found these to be very effective.

I have always enjoyed gaming from receiving a Playstation 1 for Christmas and trying to
beat the levels on Crash Bandicoot to finally treating myself to a Switch last year to be able
to enjoy Breath of the Wild. I have access to a Playstation 4, a Nintendo Switch and an Xbox
Series S.