Meet Jess

3.4.2024

Jess has recently been working with some of Whirlow’s young adults with additional needs as part of her health and social care studies. The experience has had such an impact on her, that it has given her the direction she wants to go in future!

Jess has struggled with her mental health for as long as she can remember and, combined with undiagnosed autism until just last year, has meant she has struggled at times in mainstream education.

She was put in touch with the education team through a mutual connection and has completed two enlightening two-week placements with the learners who attend the Post 16 Whirlow LIFE programme.

“As soon as Whirlow was suggested as a place to work for my placements, I knew I would love it here. I have had horses for over ten years, and I love going on walks, so I know the benefits that being outdoors and with animals has for me. My anxieties are massively reduced, and I relax straight away. It is amazing to see the impact of the work at Whirlow and to see how the students engage with the activities when they interact with animals. “

The time at Whirlow working with the young adults has helped her on her path to working with children and young people who are struggling with similar issues she has faced. Although she knew she wanted to work in this area when she finished school, she thought the only way to gain these qualifications was through university.

“I knew university wasn’t going to be the right place for me. John and Jen from the education team at Whirlow made me aware that I could gain the same qualifications by starting with an apprenticeship, so I have applied for one at Bents Green school, a school for children with additional needs. If I am successful in this, it will last for 18 months and at the end I will be a level 3 qualified teaching assistant. I then plan to do some further training to specialise in working with children with Autism.”

Spending time with Jess and watching her with our learners, it is clear she is a natural in this environment. Despite her short time with Whirlow, the students, staff and volunteers (and the animals too!) have all taken a shine to her, and she is clearly a part of the Whirlow family.

“Being at Whirlow has given me the confidence that I know what I want to do. Meeting the amazing team of people and the support they have given me has been life changing. I have gained so much confidence. My family think it’s amazing too and have seen the change in me.

My ultimate goal would be to work with the secondary age children at Whirlow. Because of my own Autism and struggles with mental health and anxieties, I feel I can really relate to what they are struggling with.”

Jess’s story reminds us that Whirlow can provide support for young people in all sorts of ways. Jess came for work experience but still received support from our teams, and her future is now forever changed due to that experience.