Meet Our New Head of Children and Young People Services: Jennie Moore
Hey Jennie! First off, a big warm welcome to Brathay Trust. Thrilled to have you with us! We thought it would be awesome for the community to get to know you a bit better, so we've got a few questions lined up. Ready to dive in?
Absolutely, let’s go!...
So, you've just made the move to Cumbria. Anything interesting about the county that took you by surprise?
Two things, how difficult it is to rent a house and how changeable the weather is – there is always a lot of very British conversation about the weather in the office!
I spent a lot of my childhood holidaying all across Cumbria, but haven’t visited as much recently due to living in the south, so I’m looking forward to exploring and sharing the experience with my husband when we have a home and we’re able to make the move here full time.
Winter mornings can be a bit of a struggle, I think we all feel it. What drives you to get up and moving in the morning?
That my day can only get better, as I love my bed and getting out of it is the bit about every day that I dislike the most! But seriously, the thing that makes me want to come to work is the opportunities we provide to children and young people. It’s been my passion for at least 20 years and is what motivates me in all I do in work.
Working for Brathay has been my dream, since I had the opportunity to work in Ambleside on a months’ placement as part of my degree, 20 years ago. It really inspired me, it’s such a special place with wonderful people. I feel very privileged to have been warmly welcomed. Plus, to have the opportunity to work with the team across Ambleside, Cumbria and Bradford to provide high quality, unique opportunities for children, young people and their families to achieve all they can in life. A truly wonderful reason to get up in the morning and come to work!
Something I’m sure our community really want to know — what inspired you to start working with children and young people?
I was given many exciting opportunities myself as a child, through Girl Guiding, that I just wouldn’t have got at home or school. My Guide Leader was truly inspirational and showed me the joy you can get from helping others. She encouraged me to try new and scary things and encouraged my development, giving me many opportunities that I just wouldn’t have had; from Duke of Edinburgh to travelling to Italy and Texas and meeting other Girl Guides, doing adventurous activities and learning leadership skills from a young age.
I think my journey in working with children and young people started when doing my Duke of Edinburgh where I was a young leader for Guides, which I continued for many years. My experience within Guiding gave me a love for the outdoors, adventurous activities and showed me the opportunities for personal development through the outdoors, which made university an opportunity that I may not have been interested or able to pursue had I not had those opportunities.
Your passion for giving young voices a platform is fantastic. What made us stand out for you?
There are so many! The focus and value given to people as individuals, the “One Brathay” values and approach; recognising all people as individuals with different knowledge and experience and the need to respond to those ensuring equity (responding to the needs of the individual to enable accessibility), rather than just equality (providing the same to all and expecting accessibility) – this is something I am very passionate about. Having worked in a number of different organisations I recognise that the foundation for an effective and highly performing team is about positive communication and relationships which I think Brathay clearly strives to embody.
We have a real opportunity to listen, act and respond to the voices of children and young people (CYP) and I am confident that doing this within our organisation will enable us to grow, provide opportunities tailored to CYP and ensure we remain relevant to provide the best support and outcomes for the children, young people and families we have the privilege to work with. Our children and young people must lie at the heart of all we do and as an organisation we are keen to provide a range of opportunities for them to be involved in shaping our offer.
And finally, if you were deserted on an island, what one thing could you not live without?
Chocolate!
