Since I was 19 I have created children's books and been published, travelled extensively, worked in Hong Kong, trained and worked as a Specialist Painter, employed as front of house in a West End Gallery, set up a business in Singapore and now work in a secondary school. Except for 5 years when I had 3 children, I have been employed since I was 19. I did not enjoy school. I found my place among creative people and developed children's novelty books for 4 years until 23. I then travelled extensively through S.America, US, New Zealand and stayed away for 2 years working in PR & Marketing in Hong Kong in 1995. I returned home to become a freelance Specialist Painter before full employment when I was in a West End Art Gallery - front of house - for 4+ years. With success in PR & Marketing and an interest in the buzz word: Knowledge Management (KM), I helped a magazine publisher put KM Europe (exhibition & conference) on the map and was soon offered the opportunity of setting up an office in Singapore to organise KM Asia in 2001. Job done after 2-3 years and married, I came back to UK and soon became pregnant. Moved out of London and in 2010 I set up May Mile™ - a mile-race for children (which has raised 10K for charity to date) and began working as a TA in a Secondary School where I am today. In 2013 I created The Doodle Studio - workshops to build self-esteem in children with learning difficulties and/or special needs. In 2016 I set up F.A.F. Giving it a Go!™ an opportunity for children to try three typical athletic disciplines in a safe, friendly environment.My work with secondary school-age young people is an amazing insight into a world of raw struggle with no certainty of reward.