My story
I grew up in the north west of England in the 70s. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t feel like an outsider. It would be many years before I heard of the term ‘introvert’, let alone feel at ease with myself.
On the way home from school each day, I would have to run the gauntlet of the bullies. Even at Guides, there was one girl who suddenly took a real dislike to me. To this day, I don’t know why. It all felt so unfair.
This was never something I felt I could mention at home either so I dealt with it as best I could. On my own.
Of course, times have changed and we are thankfully much more aware of the needs of young people.
But the experiences I had as a teenager left me with a burning desire to make sure things would be different for a next generation. Bullying may not be tolerated in the way it once was and young people’s voices are listened to more. But there is still so much more to do.
In particular, unfairness upsets me in a way which often surprises even me (I’m quite a gentle soul!).
I never, ever want a young person to feel the way I did.”
Young people should always feel safe in our sessions, and able to be themselves.”
Young people have to navigate tangled webs of social media pressures, Whatsapp messages and Snap threads. Exam pressures have never been higher and financial crises affect them all. Not to mention the things happening on a global level.
When I started Inkpots in 2013, the set up looked a bit different to now. But the principles were the same.
I have built the programmes and sessions so that anyone involved thrives. I hope to empower my students to speak up about their concerns and to develop the confidence to reach out for the things they truly want.
Every young person who comes through the Inkpots door deserves the chance to unlock their potential and it’s my job to help support that. The students I work with are quite simply, amazing and I consider it a real privilege to do this job.
If you are a young person, parent, teacher or youth worker and my words resonate, please do get in touch.
I would really love to have a chat with you.
Gill facts
20 plus years’ experience as a mentor, having initially trained with West Sussex Youth Offending Service.
Highly experienced at supporting neurodivergent young people.
In-school mentor and functional skills tutor.
DBS check and fully insured.
Trained in youth mental health first aid, safeguarding and child protection, and trauma-informed.
Cake maker. Book lover. Cat slave.
Inkpots provides guidance, strategies to succeed and a place of safety.”
Secondary school pastoral leader