Jen’s Story
I’m fortunate to work with an exceptional team of staff who are dedicated, hardworking, and deeply committed to our young people. Every day, I witness the love, care, kindness, and respect they bring to their roles. They don’t just support our young people—they truly see them, value them, and help them feel safe, celebrated, and important. Their patience, empathy, and unwavering commitment make a profound difference—not just in what they do, but in how our young people feel about themselves.
At work, I love bringing energy, positivity, and a sense of fun to everything we do. Seeing young people gain confidence and staff flourish in a supportive environment is what makes my role so rewarding—I’m proud to help everyone feel empowered to reach their full potential.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my wonderful family and my cheeky grandog, Pepper, a little Frenchie with a huge personality. I enjoy the theatre, getting lost in a good book, gardening, and—believe it or not—I’ve recently taken up fitness classes – I know, as if!! I like to bring the same positivity, energy, and sense of humour to everything I do, both in and out of work.
Some people/funders ask me why I founded the charity so I have explained here;
My passion for supporting people with disabilities began in my late teens after my half-brother, Peter became incredibly ill at the age of five, which resulted in a life-changing disability. His condition gradually deteriorated over the following six years and he sadly passed away at the age of eleven. A few years later, our younger sister was affected by the same condition and passed away at the age of 11.
Spending time with them and helping wherever I could had a profound impact on me and inspired my commitment to working with individuals with disabilities.
Wanting to use my experience and skills to make a meaningful difference, I began working in Special Educational Needs (SEN) in 1997. This ultimately led me to achieve my ambition of teaching ICT at the Sheraton College branch of Abbey Hill Academy.
I taught GCSE photography, levels 1 & 2 ICT (City & Guilds), ASDAN short courses and reading. My GCSE photography group held an exhibition which was later in the Evening Gazette (July 2013), I was extremely proud of them.
I won an award – Teacher of Excellence in 2016 – I was very proud, as were my family.
Whilst teaching, I became increasingly aware of the challenges faced by young people as they prepared to leave our college. After working with my tutor group for two years, I attended local authority transition meetings where parents and local day provisions or colleges discussed the next steps for their sons and daughters.
These meetings highlighted a significant gap in suitable post-college provision for young people with lower-level abilities. There were very few opportunities that focused on developing life skills, independence and meaningful, practical experiences tailored to their individual needs. In many cases, the available provisions only offered three days of education each week, leaving parents understandably concerned about the remaining two days, particularly those working full-time, with little or no appropriate support available.
By contrast, higher-ability students were often able to progress to local colleges alongside mainstream sixth-form students, gaining GCSEs and additional qualifications that enabled them to further develop their skills and independence. However, this pathway did not meet the needs of all our leavers.
For many years, I felt there was a significant need for a provision that could offer meaningful, person-centred education focused on developing practical life skills and preparing young people for adulthood with greater independence, confidence, and purpose.
Vision25 was born and registered in on May 18th, 2016, as a Community Interest Company, I became a director overnight which was thrilling & daunting. It originally started as a Saturday club in January 2017 – 4 hours each week but soon gathered pace. I realised I would need to leave my beloved teaching post if I was to concentrate on developing the business as we grew. I resigned and left in July 2018 and started full time with my business 3 days later on Monday 23rd July 2018. The CIC changed its identity in September 2019 to a charity – (CIO – Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and I became Chief Executive Officer. I often tell people I am a teacher at heart.
As we grew, we changed locations to fit the ever-growing group until eventually we our forever home on Stockton High Street, gaining the 10-year rental in September 2021. A large renovation started on the very old, dilapidated building in January 2022, and we officially moved in on 9th January 2023.
We opened a charity shop in June 2023 in Fountains Mall and then moved in the 144 High Street - January 2024. We then opened our own café in June 2024.
Our young people gain valuable practical experience through working in both settings, enabling them to develop real-world skills, confidence, and a strong sense of responsibility. These opportunities play a vital role in enhancing employability, promoting independence, and preparing them for meaningful, sustainable careers within a supportive environment where they are encouraged to learn, develop, and grow through experience.
From the moment Vision25 was born, my mission has been clear – to make this the very best space for our ever-growing numbers, providing a service that is empowering, inclusive, and of the highest standard, designed to give every individual the skills, confidence, and support they need to thrive and achieve their full potential, both now and in the future.
We are buying the property at 144 High Street to provide a permanent and secure home for the charity. This strategic investment ensures stability for our operations, safeguards our resources, and allows us to continue delivering our services for the long-term benefit of the communities we support. By owning this building outright, we can plan confidently for the future, free from the uncertainties of leasing, and strengthen the charity’s lasting impact.
We are transforming the first floor of our building into a state-of-the-art Employability Hub, specifically designed to support disabled young people in developing the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive in the workplace. This dedicated space will provide tailored training, mentoring, and hands-on opportunities that directly address the barriers they face in accessing meaningful employment.
By investing in this hub, we are not only equipping young people with practical skills, but also fostering independence, resilience, and self-belief essential foundations for long-term career success. This initiative represents a critical step in ensuring that every young person, regardless of disability, has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
2026 marks a meaningful turning point in my journey, as I dedicate my focus to developing a residential provision for our young people. This path truly began several years ago when a parent asked me a question I have never forgotten; who would care for her daughter when she was no longer able to do so. It was a deeply emotional moment, and I realised I did not have an answer. That conversation stayed with me and has since become a powerful motivation to help create the support and security our young people and their families need so they can feel secure, supported, and confident about what lies ahead. I look forward to seeing how this new chapter will enable our young adults to transition into a permanent home where they can experience stability, security and a true sense of belonging alongside their friends. Supported by a tailored care package, they will have the opportunity to thrive, develop independence and enjoy a safe and fulfilling future.
Overall, my vision is to ensure that our young people and their families feel part of a close, supportive community where everyone has a genuine sense of belonging. My lifelong commitment has been to create opportunities that are meaningful, inclusive, and truly life-changing, enabling each individual to develop confidence, independence, and purpose. Above all, I am dedicated to supporting them to be happy, to thrive, and to live fulfilling lives with dignity and choice, whether within our day services or in their own homes as part of a future built on stability, security, and opportunity.