We’re pleased to have welcomed three new starters to the Grapevine family over recent weeks. Each brings their own unique skills and passions to our team and the people we work with, across three different projects.
So here’s Paul, Katie and Melody in their own words and pictures (there’s no such thing as a ‘corporate’ headshot at Grapevine, especially not during a pandemic!).
Paul Kedwards, Young People’s Worker for Teenvine Plus
Paul Kedwards, Teenvine Plus (next steps through the pandemic)
Five favourite things
Being with my family
Walking and running outdoors – I need my weekly 5k!
Playing guitar
Listening to my favourite music… metal!
Driving my car and generally appreciating anything automotive.
What did you do before joining Grapevine?
Primary school teacher since the age of 21 and went into it to make a difference to others’ lives and feel I’d made an impact. I feel I have done this but now it’s time to challenge myself in new ways and in a job where I can focus in more of an individual manner with the people I work with.
I lived in Birmingham as a youngster and moved to Solihull when I started teaching at age 21. Four years later I fulfilled my dream of moving to the countryside and now live in a village in north west Leicestershire with my wife and two sons.
Why do you do work like this?
I want to make a difference to people. I love getting to know new people, learning from them and helping them to learn from me.
I’m sociable and outgoing – I love a good chat and a good laugh (who doesn’t?!) and I genuinely care about people. I think they see that in me and that seems to make me relatable and easy to get on with and have a good relationship with.
I’m easy going and laid back but passionate about helping people and enabling them to reach their potential.
What are you looking forward to most about the role?
Working in a different way and being more free to bring my creative and artistic streak(s) into my work and these being a larger part of my job role.
I’m looking forward to working with older individuals than those in primary school and the new challenges this will also bring. I’m looking forward to getting to know them all individually and allowing them to get to know me so that we can build a professional and strong relationship that will help us work really well together to help them reach their potential!
A fun fact about yourself
I once performed a rooftop guitar concert with my cousin on top of scaffolding outside a second storey window.
Walking, particularly in the Peak District or Dartmoor
Kayaking.
What did you do before joining Grapevine?
I started out as a secondary school maths teacher but then left to become what I call a ‘maths first aider’ whilst raising my two sons.
I ran my own business helping all kinds of people who were struggling with the maths qualification they wanted to achieve and I also worked at the Maths Support Centre at Coventry University.
In 2015 I started a part-time PhD at Coventry University which looked at how parents, who may struggle with maths themselves, could support their children to do better in maths at school. I completed my PhD in 2020 whilst also working part-time as a primary maths teacher, so am now officially Dr Baker… though Katie (or Kate) is fine by me.
In my spare time I run my local church’s Facebook page and website and help organise church social events.
Why do you do work like this?
Throughout my life I have noticed that most things – whether they be schools, health services, application forms, exams, social spaces or whatever – have been designed or just ended up suiting a certain type of person. There are so many brilliant people who don’t fit that mould and so struggle to fit into those spaces and live the type of life they want to. I think that is unfair and I really want to help change that.
What are you looking forward to most about your role?
I am looking forward to meeting some wonderful people and being alongside them as they try to make their dreams come true.
A fun fact about yourself
I love being in and on the water and started kayaking on the canals with my family during lockdown. I can’t wait for it to get a bit warmer so we can go out again. I even had my own set of bright yellow paddles for my birthday!
Seasons of the year (snow, blossom, sunshine and autumn leaves)
Tea and cake
Family time
Christmas.
What did you do before joining Grapevine?
I had a number of part-time jobs while at school and university; I worked in a dry cleaners, did lots of babysitting, worked in a shop and worked for Oxfam.
I studied Sociology at Warwick University and went on to train as a social worker. I worked in a Children’s Disability Team for a number of years after I qualified. For the last seven years, I’ve worked as a family support worker in a school for young people with social and communication difficulties.
Why do you do work like this?
Because I love working with people and I’m passionate about helping people overcome difficulties they face.
What are you looking forward to most about your role?
Getting alongside people and helping them to connect with the local community.
A fun fact about yourself
I love daffodils – they’re my favourite flower and I can’t wait to see then start to burst through! My husband even bought me a pair of daffodil print wellies once, which were amazing!
