Chrissy Jane Hedge
Chrissy was bullied at school; she has dyslexia but did well in her GCSEs: “I got one of the highest marks in my year, which gave me tremendous self - esteem and the realisation that I could achieve no matter what people said.”
When she left she did a National and Higher Diploma in Art, and got a job in design, but felt unfulfilled. Chrissy then travelled around the world, even having time to complete a three-year Dive Master course at the Red Sea resorts.
Returning to the UK, she worked with adults with physical and learning disabilities and encouraged them to learn. Chrissy herself has recently taken a OCR Level 2 Certificate in Numeracy, a City & Guilds Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector and a Specialist Diploma in Nutrition, “to find non-surgical ways of reducing my cancer and to learn how to advise and support others.”
She is now involved in teaching, voluntary work, running her own beauty business and organising a project helping young people use recycling to make musical instruments.
Chrissy is an active member of Kushti Bok – an advocacy group representing the voice of Gypsies and Travellers in Dorset – and is a member of the Dorset Police Independent Advisory Group.
Chrissy says, “Learning means that I can gain knowledge to share and teach people the things I have learned. Without learning I wouldn’t be the person I am and I am proud of who I am. Learning stimulated me and is exciting; it makes me feel alive as it always leads to better things.”