#WeWill

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Justine Farnell

#WeWill Project Manager

I’ve 20 years of Project Management experience, designing and managing both projects and programmes for key organisations within all sectors across the UK. As mom to a self-proclaimed ‘social action warrior’ I have been involved in community social action for many years, mainly as a parent through community groups, but also as a member of the National Trust supporting the preservation of local places of historical interest. Demonstrating social action to our children will benefit not only the next generation but future generations in creating a kinder and more caring world for all. My involvement in #iwill enabled me to witness first-hand some of the inspiring social action projects that our students were involved in. Embedding social action into our schools is essential to developing a child’s character and increases their own awareness of how positive social action can make a difference. My main objectives are to ensure that OAT’s #WeWill has well organised plans, clearly defined outcomes and success measures. I am extremely excited by the magic that will be, #WeWill.

Rachel McCarthy

National Lead Practitioner for Enrichment & Eco

I am proud to say that I have been a geography teacher for 22 years. I started working at Ormiston Forge Academy, as Director of Work-Related Learning and geography teacher, transitioning into the role of Careers Leader later. I was appointed National Lead Practitioner Enrichment for Eco Trust and Careers early this year. I introduced eco-activities and supported academies to achieve their Quality in Careers Standard as part of the #iwill initiative. I’m currently working with academies to help them reach the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. As part of the very exciting #WeWilI initiative, I’ve developed the #WeWill Protect and #WeWill Recycle projects. There is compelling evidence that doing environmental social action and appreciating nature helps to improve mental health and wellbeing. Through these #WeWill projects, we have the chance to build a cleaner, greener future. Youth Social Action has never been so highly thought of and providing pupils with the opportunity to help the planet, as an individual, team or community really is the best feeling in the world!

Jo Robson

Regional Enrichment & Social Action, East Region

I only joined the OAT family in September 2021 and ‘wow’, what an exciting and eventful journey I’ve had so far! I wrote the #WeWill Be CyberSafe Project, by co-working with the Police Cyber Protect Unit Office at Suffolk Constabulary, whose National Team are being involved with the project. I have 20 years experience of working with young offenders as a Restorative Justice Officer, bringing them together with their victims to talk about the impact and harm offences can make. I also worked as a Scout Leader for 8 years and also worked with adults, coordinating offshore wind turbine training. I feel lucky to be working at such a professional and enthusiastic organisation, like OAT, which is also completely dedicated to the young people they serve. The offers of enrichment and social action in our Academies are already outstanding and now we are adding further YSA that is helping our young people to develop character and increase their awareness of how positive social action can make such a difference!