Shekinah Grow, Paignton

‘I joined Shekinah Grow approximately 6 years ago, Initially as a Project Coach, and now as Project Co-Ordinator.  Before joining Grow, I have worked have supported and managed services for individuals and families, across the UK.  Working within these roles has offered me a greater understanding of the complexities of life, and the enormity of the challenges that some people face.  My role at Shekinah Grow, is a perfect combination of my professional strengths and personal passion for our natural world.  When not at work, I love being outdoors, I can often be found pottering about in my garden, in the woods or on beach walking my dog, or volunteering on a conservation mission or counting bats or bees..’

I was welcomed by the community at Shekinah Grow in October 2017 and through hard work I have now joined the staff team in July 2021 as a project coach.

The Shekinah community has really helped me through a tough period in my life and my self confidence has grown as a result. I have been lucky enough to be able to teach myself new skills such as, green wood carving and turning wood on a lathe. I have recently completed my first commission for a shop called Tiny Utopia where they are displaying and selling my work which has brought some funds back into the Shekinah Grow project.

My previous employment was as a mechanical engineer for an industrial door company but unfortunately I had to leave this trade as the very heavy lifting involved took its toll on my body especially my back.

I have travelled extensively to far flung countries like India, Australia and SE Asia where I have stayed in the tallest tree houses in the world, sky dived and got certified to dive at 30 meters.

I look forward to long and rewarding time at the Shekinah Grow project where I hope to impart some of the skills I have learnt to others in the form of workshops and help people learn new skills.

‘In 2014, I started volunteering at Shekinah Grow.  Due to my passion, qualifications, and experience I took a lead on the growing team.  My interest in ‘growing’ started in childhood, inspired by some of the gardening TV greats!  My Grandmother, kindly, allowed me to have my first 2 plots in her garden.  I then started to volunteer at ‘Cockington Botanical Gardens’, this fuelled my enthusiasm to begin studying horticulture and pursue as a career.

In my spare time, when I am not doing gardening for my family, I like to enjoy walks with the dog.  I am a film fanatic, and enjoying being in the warm and dry, watching a good movie’.