I'm a Careers Coach for Future Frontiers!

I am a person that wants to help. I try my best everyday to do kind things and think kind thoughts. I believe that when living an honest and open lifestyle, the universe will always return you with positivity and good fortune. 

I had wanted to find a volunteering programme that specifically helped children in disadvantaged areas. I feel that every single child deserves a chance at having a decent future and lack of economic, material and cultural capital should not be the causation of a child not fulfilling their potential. We are born into a world that allows those with money to have a certain type of privilege that almost guarantees them a stable future yet so so many intelligent and bright children don't have the financial stability and therefore find themselves working three times as hard in order to hit the same goals.

I attended the volunteering fair at my University and found myself chatting to many great causes. One that stood out to me was the Future Frontiers stall. The founder of the charity was there and grabbing people as they walked past to have a chat. He explained all about the programme and asked me questions about what I was hoping to get out of my volunteering experience. I put my details down for more information and within a week I was having a follow up call and then phone interview to become a coach.

Yesterday morning I had my first of 10 sessions with my chosen school, Lilian Baylis Technology School in Kennington, London. I was advised that the school has 80% of their pupils on free school meals and it stands as one of the most disadvantaged schools in London. After a hectic morning of waiting in supermarkets whilst attempting to buy a sandwich (practically 3 times) I made it in and met my 4 pupils that I would be coaching on their prospect career paths. 

They were all very lovely and eager to be involved as since they were in Year11 they felt they needed to think about their prospects once they finish school. It can often seem daunting but taking the initiative to do some research and follow your interests makes life that much easier in the long run.

My role as a Careers Coach is to guide the pupils through conversations about their interests and possible career prospects. It sounds simple but is actually much trickier than perceived, considering I still don't 100% know what direction I'm heading in career wise. As it was the first session it was rather light and we had to talk about how thy perceived themselves as human beings, whether it was caring, cautious, aggressive or motivated. By allowing the pupils time to talk about how they saw themselves we were then able to facilitate a conversation that then lead them to consciously thinking about the type of careers that would suit them for their best qualities. 

As the weeks go on we set targets and create pathways to slowly enable the pupils to work towards these sometimes seemingly impossible career goals. We help them make connections within their desired industry by setting up Skype calls with a professional currently working in their desired sector and allow the pupils to be left then to their own devises, hopefully feeling inspired and full of confidence that they can achieve high if they really push themselves.

I really enjoyed the session yesterday and none of the children were naughty or bad as teachers often enjoy calling them. It was a relaxed atmosphere and I am looking forward to the journey ahead.

If you are interested in becoming a careers coach visit: https://www.futurefrontiers.org.uk/coaches to find out more.

Peace&Love,
Willow

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THE SKYDIVE

I must begin by thanking the wonderful people that helped me raise £411 for the Willow Foundation- family, friends and co-workers. I appreciate it, the Willow Foundation appreciates it and I'm sure somewhere in the UK so does a person or a family going through a hell of a lot and you've helped make their special day possible.

Giving back for me, was a way of saying thank you to the foundation that once was able to organise and part fund a weekend trip to Center Parcs with my aunts, sister and terminally ill mother. The trip is most definitely up with some of my happiest lifetime memories, especially due to the fact that my sister and I were so young when my mother passed and don't remember much of her, we therefore have special moments like the trip to reflect upon.

The Skydive experience was a cauldron of emotions, whirling round my brain, and yes my stomach!

The day begins bright and early as you must arrive (in the middle of nowhere) at 8am to ensure you catch the best of the British weather. Bearing in mind the centre was called the North London Skydiving Centre- it is definitely not in North London. Try maybe a litter further north in the region of Cambridgeshire! My dad, little sister and I left at around 6:30am, arriving just before 8am, and already there was a queue of three of four others. Once the centre opened I checked in and began the short training session. Once finished and kitted up, the nerve-racking waiting game began. 
Thankfully I was a part of the second group to be sent up in the air for my tandem jump, so unlike those in the ninth group, my nerves weren't given much of a chance to freak me out- too much anyway. Before I knew it I was apprehensively waving good bye to my Dad and dear little sister Alana (who was 3 years old at the time- thinking about it, I'm not sure how I would have felt watching my sister jump out of a plane at age 3...hmm). 

What's that? A hat? Crazy, funky, junkie hat? 

So once in the plane you are made to sit in two lines, in front of one another, with your instructor behind you. The plane flies up high, reaching approximately 13,000 ft in the air and then the real fun begins. (Not so) conveniently I was first. Your instructor clips you into the harness and then the two of you shuffle forward with your legs hanging out the door. Your instructor pulls you up onto his lap, moves a bit more forward and then proceeds by sticking your frail, tense and extremely nervous body out the door while he sits on the edge. This lasted for what felt like an hour but in reality was less than a minute. Oh, and yes when I say sticks you out the door I do mean the only thing stopping you from falling thousands of feet to (death?) the ground is the harness attaching the two of you together. I feel like that was the moment for me- the turning point in my relationship with humanity. How often do we put so much trust in complete strangers? Well I had only known this man for all of 10 minutes. We met on the airfield, shook hands and strolled to the plane. We sat close for the duration of the journey up, and finally whilst every inch of my body is hanging out of that airplane door he shouts, 'READY?' and that was it. We jumped. The adrenaline rushed to my head and next thing I knew I was free falling through the atmosphere...nothing could stop me, I was as free as a bird. 
Soon enough the instructor opened the parachute and we were caught within our fall. I then realised placing my trust in this 'stranger' was a very intelligent and well thought out move as he was actually my ONLY chance of survival. You see I sure as hell DID NOT KNOW how to open the damn parachute and therefore would have most definitely free fell to certain death. Thank you instructor stranger...
Some sickly skydive spirals later, along with the chance to soak up the sublime English countryside and our feet touched the ground.
Here's a quick video (that cost an arm and a leg- thank you student loan, haha!) to show you the best bit, although I must admit that my description goes into much more detail hehe.

I have to say it  is an experience that I would recommend to anyone! I would do it again in a heartbeat but it is a costly activity and I think if I keep doing Sky Dive fundraisers people will catch on to the fact that I'm no longer in it for the (money) charitable donations, hehehe. 

Peace&Love,
Willow

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SPONSOR MY SKYDIVE!

HEY BLOG LOVIN PEOPLE...

So, I have decided to take part in something a bit wild and crazy... something a bit out of this world (well almost); A SKY DIVE!

Now this skydive will be holding a special place in my heart, and I am going to need all my AMAZING READERS help!

Here is my story:

 As most of you know, I am Capres Willow Turner, an 18 year old that loves adventure, travel and food. 

During 2001 my mother, Lindy- Lou was diagnosed with breast cancer. She battled long and hard, like many cancer sufferers do and unfortunately passed away 5 years later on 18th December 2006. Now, I know you're probably thinking - as harsh as it may seem- she is another statistic as countless people are diagnosed each year, and yes not all of them make it our the other side.

So why are you here?

Well here's the thing. I've decided to do a charity skydive not only in my mothers memory, but for a special charity that has made a direct impact to our lives. The Willow Foundation. This charity contributed towards a very special trip for my mother, sister and I during her final years with us. A trip to Centre Parcs. Now this may not sound like much, but my mother had been our sole carer through the whole ordeal of her Cancer. She never failed to wake up and take us to school. Treat us to the cinema once in a while. Love us, cherish us and most of all never give up hope. I know I was young, but I truly did not see her death coming, and neither did many of her friends and supporters.

Through The Willow Foundation my sister and I were able to create a happy, lasting memory of my mother, where her disease was left at home and we, as a family were able to live, laugh and love! Lindy-Lou had filmed much of our trip in short bursts, to help us, when we were older remember exactly who she was, how she looked, her voice and her personality; wonderful and free!

Through following this link at Virgin Money Giving, https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/capreswillowskydive you can sponsor me on my crazy skydive and donations will be quickly processed and passed to The Willow Foundation where they can continue to provide special days and trips for other seriously ill people, bringing a little light into their lives! 
Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this.
I really appreciate you taking the time to read my message to you, and of course all your support and donations.

Peace&Love
Capres Willow Turner x

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/capreswillowskydive

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