Co-founder & Executive Director | Healing Waves

What does a typical day look like for you? 
My days varies from being on the ground leading and delivering sessions for our Athletes, to organising and attending fundraising opportunities. Both myself and Dom oversee the whole running of the charity which includes scheduling sessions, supervisions for the staff team, meetings and presentations with stakeholders, organising training opportunities, payroll and a large number of growing charitable duties. I typically work from the Surf Therapy Centre which is arguably the nicest office in Jersey…potentially the world. There are the odd occasions where working from home is required but time around our amazing team means most days start with coffee and end with a hug.

How did you get your job? / What training, degree, education do you need? 
I started as a founder and volunteer with years of care experience at a ground and managerial level, slowly building my experience and growing with the charity. When the Healing Waves secured funding for part-time positions, I ensured the day-to-day running was maintained and progressed knowledge and skills from there. Thanks to some amazing private funders full-time positions became a reality in the summer of 2022, just in time for the opening of our Surf Therapy Centre! I can safely say that in six years, HW has gone from strength-to-strength winning awards and global recognition within the Surf Therapy field.

What are the most important skills needed for your role/job? 
To lead with empathy and understanding, self-awareness and confidence in your existing abilities. Experience has aided unique thinking to develop a strategic direction and a meaningful service vastly different from other charities and care providers. Ultimately, HW is a service based on the principle of action and it is very much about delivering and reflecting upon how we can improve and impact more.

Are there any future skills you will need to learn for your role? 
There is a potential I may look at undertaking some fundraising qualifications to further understanding and better diversify and increase our income streams. My main aim is to safeguard our future here in Jersey so Healing Waves remains long after I’m gone. The charity is looking at bringing in a community engagement officer to assist us with this as specialist knowledge as it will be crucial to ensuring our success. However, some extra knowledge and skills would certainly help me within my role, in turn benefitting the charity.

What is the best part of your job? / What motivates you in this role?
Without a doubt spending time in the water with our Athletes… I wasn’t going to say tax returns, was I?! Hearing the feedback first hand from our Athletes and their families is a privilege and an honour. This motivates me to keep pushing, learning and growing to ensure we are remaining a high-quality service that listens and provides what we can to those in need.

What advice would you give someone interested in a career in your profession? 
Treat all stakeholders and staff with empathy, compassion, gratitude and humility. These attributed create the strongest leaders and are credit to our success. Total transparency and honesty have helped our relations tenfold – do this. Stay humble and be patient, success takes serious time and consistency. Learn true patience, trust the process and stay true to your vision. Stay open to advice and build strong relationships with everyone, you never know who will be there to help you in the future.

Tell us a fun fact… 
I can blow bubbles off my tongue.