Getting Started… personal statement for BA Wildlife Media Course, Carlise University
I retired at the end of 2023 and, after a long and purposeful career in health and social care, was looking for a fresh challenge: a return to full time education and the development of a longstanding but much neglected interest in photography and nature.
I graduated in 1979 from Sheffield University with a BA Hons in Psychology and then, after a few years working as a care assistant, went on to qualify as a Social Worker in 1984 on a post graduate CQSW course at Manchester University. My particular area of work was in establishing community based living options for people with mental health needs or learning disabilities. People at the time who were leaving the long stay institutions. I have worked almost exclusively in the not-for-profit or public sectors and became the CEO of the charity MacIntyre in 1995. A position I held until 2015 having grown a small family trustee led community in Bedfordshire into a national organisation employing over 2000 people and with a turnover of £50m.
Moving to Cumbria in 2015 I took on the role of CEO of Eden Valley and Jigsaw hospices before developing my own consultancy work. Other roles have included: Non-Exec of NICE and Chair of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group.
As a side interest I have led and organised several overseas expeditions involving people with disabilities including supporting a young man with autism to reach the North Col of Everest. I was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society in recognition of this work. On moving to Cumbria I took the opportunity to qualify as a Mountain Leader which continued this interest until retiring in 2024
My specific interest in the Wildlife Media course builds on a parallel side interest, which is also longstanding: photography. Starting with black and white film and a darkroom in a freezing cold outhouse I have now finally embraced the digital world and computer processing. More recently developing a particular interest in bird photography, especially birds of the moorlands, mountains and wild places. There is nothing I enjoy more than the sight and sound of a Curlew flying through the mist up on Cross Fell. Or the occasional missile-like flyby of a Merlin. I have yet to take a photograph of a Merlin! Sadly these sights and sounds are far too infrequent and, I fear, diminishing.
Currently I am a RSPB volunteer.
Colleagues often used to comment that one of my apparent strengths was as a communicator. I should like to further develop the skill of communication, using the medium of photography (and video), to tell stories about the places and animals I love- the challenges they face, the inspiration they offer and their importance for all of us.
Having studied the programme synopsis and talked to people who are knowledgeable about the course I like the combination of theory, research, development of technical skills, field craft and field based application. I know I will learn a lot (maybe even how to capture a photograph of a Merlin) and I am confident I should find it highly stimulating. Perhaps, given my life experience, I may too bring a perspective that can be useful to others. For me, what lies beyond the course is not as important as the process of engagement and learning but, having said that, I am completely open minded about what new opportunities and experiences might emerge.
If selected will enjoy playing my part and making my contribution.
Yellow Hammer