We’re welcoming Holly Thurgood to the Help and Connect team in Coventry, working alongside autistic and learning disabled people to help them make a plan, get connections, get work, stay healthy and stay safe.
As a connector on the project, Holly says she’s looking forward to her new role as a ‘detective’ – finding out what people’s dreams are and investigating all opportunities to help them move closer to those dreams.
This is the perfect Autumn interview with Holly’s tales of life on the farm and making the most of her vegetable patch to cook up a tasty range of jams and chutneys with the family.
We’re looking forward to seeing what seeds Holly sows with the people she’s supporting, followed by a good harvest coming after six months of working with them in preparation for their next chapter in life.
Help and Connect is funded by Coventry City Council, helping to equip local people not receiving statutory support with the skills, knowledge, support networks and readiness for self-management and onward opportunity.
Follow this link to read more about our Strengthening People work in Coventry and Warwickshire and some case studies from the Help and Connect project.
And either read or watch Holly’s interview below!
Join us in making our people and communities fairer, stronger and more connected.
My name is Holly and I have just started working at Grapevine. I’ve been asked to answer some questions to introduce myself.
What were you doing before you joined Grapevine?
I live on a farm with my partner who is a full-time farmer, our two children, two dogs and a cat. Much of my time is spent looking after them and also a flock of 250 sheep – which gets very busy at lambing time. In 2020, I also started a business selling flowers for bouquets and weddings.
What experiences (professionally or personally) will help you with your new role?
I believe the experience of having children will help me in my new connecting role because as a parent you strive for your children to develop and grow as people. To find interests and hobbies they are passionate about and to go out in the world and experience all that life has to offer. One day they will leave home and you want them to flourish, be happy and be true to themselves. This is also the case for the people I will be helping through Grapevine.
Why do you work like this, strengthening people/working for a charity? What is your why?
It’s just in my nature to help people and bring out the best in them. I’ve always had a strong sense of justice, from a young age and that has stayed with me. I don’t like seeing people struggling with things, I will always step in and try to make things better.
What are you most looking forward to about your role?
When speaking to another member of the team, they described me as being a ‘professional detective’, which I really liked the idea of. I look forward to finding out what people’s dreams are and investigating all of the opportunities for connecting to the community. Matching up their interests and hobbies with people and places so that they can go out and thrive.
Is there a fun/fascinating fact or skill you’d like to share with us?
As well as growing flowers, in our back garden we’ve got a vegetable patch that we enjoy picking fruit and veg from. It’s great to cook together as a family and to make chutneys and jam in the Autumn. There are lots of blackberries growing all over the farm, so crumbles are a must!