David JH Jones
How long have you volunteered for Cambridge Joint Playscheme? I have been involved as a Parent and then as a committee member for 15 years
What is your role at CJP? I am Chair of Trustees
Why did you sign up to volunteer/work with CJP? My daughter has severe learning difficulties and I saw the fun and sheer joy she experienced at CJP. So, I felt I needed to get involved to make sure the services offered could continue even after my daughter was too old to attend herself. I am also proud of the fact that our holiday and Saturday schemes are so well run and lead and yet we manage to keep the cost of attendance to the minimum so that it is accessible to all parents and children without regard to financial circumstances.
What is the best bit about CJP?
Great staff, great volunteers and enjoyable and inclusive activities for all the children and young people who attend. They joy in the young people’s faces at the playscheme activities will bring anyone to tears!
Your most memorable moment from CJP?
Making the movie for the the National Lottery Community Fund appeal. The children loved it and the parents met and were able to share a great time together too.
Interesting fact about yourself?
I have lived in Little Shelford, South Cambridgeshire, for 22 years but I’m originally from Birmingham. A West Bromwich Albion season ticket holder, Parish Councillor and Christian. I also Chair the Shelford and Stapleford Youth Initiative which is a Christian charity that provides Youth Clubs and Youth activities across the three villages of Shelford and Stpleford and which supports Young People with a wider array of every day challenges.
Carol Brown, Activities Manager
How long have you worked for Cambridge Joint Playschemes? I have worked for CJP since February 2012 as the Activity Club/Playscheme Manager
Why did you sign up to volunteer/work with CJP? I have worked in childcare for the past 46 years and have always had a special interest in working with children with additional needs. I was registered for 20 years as a foster carer engaged in weekend respite care for children with physical and or learning disabilities, alongside other full time roles within the world of childcare. After taking early retirement as an Ofsted Early Years Inspector in 2010, I took life easy for 2 years doing many of the things I could not do whilst working full time, e.g. travelling, enjoying hobbies such as photography etc.
For anyone that knows me, I cannot sit still for too long and love a challenge. Working for CJP has certainly fulfilled those challenges for me.
What is the best bit about CJP? Working with the most incredible staff team anyone could ever wish for, especially Mel Stanford (who is a Superstar) and Wendy Little (for keeping me sane), bringing smiles to the faces of the children/young people by giving them opportunities otherwise denied to them, breaking down social stigma’s by getting these incredible young people to interact within their community and knowing that we are able to support their families. I could go on but probably shouldn’t!!
Most memorable moment from CJP? Oh so many!! Seeing the children /young people grow in confidence, smiles on faces, watching them try new and unfamiliar activities. Staff who are now in full time employment using their annual leave to come back and support the children/young people. The fantastic support we receive from local and National organisations that enable us to continue.
Interesting Fact About yourself.
I have a burning ambition to drive a combine harvester down Haverhill High Street!! What more can I say???
Emma South, Deputy Co-ordinator
How long have you worked for Cambridge Joint Playscheme? I have worked at CJP for 8 years (started 2013) and started when I was 16 years old.
What is your role at CJP? Deputy Co-ordinator. I plan activities for the holiday playschemes, I deputise for our Activity Manager and generally get stuck in to everything.
Why did you sign up to volunteer/work with CJP? I originally started working at CJP as a way to gain work experience ahead of University and it was a great experience ahead of qualifying as a primary teacher. The experiences I have had, still help me to develop my skills as a teacher today.
What is the best bit about CJP? The children. It's been an incredible experience watching the children grow up and develop their own individuality and personalities. However, a close second is the incredible trips and experiences Carol organises including trips to the Zoo, football with Phil and the children's favourite, swimming..
Your most memorable moment from CJP? There are just too many to choose from! One that sticks in my mind is the trip to the beach where we were able to paddle in the sea and eat fish and chips on the beach. The children were so excited to collect shells and bury their feet in the sand.
Interesting fact about yourself? One of my favourite things to do in my free time is to bake. The more chocolatey the better.
Wendy Little
How long have you volunteered for Cambridge Joint Playschemes?
I have been involved as a Committee Member and then a trustee for 4 years
What is your role at CJP? I am a Trustee and advise on Finance
Why did you sign up to volunteer/work with CJP? I started working at Green Hedges Special Needs School in 2001 as the Business Manager where CJP held their Easter and Summer Holiday Playschemes. In 2006 Green Hedges closed and I moved to the new, Granta Special Needs School. CJP also moved their Playschemes to Granta and the Children always had great fun. When I retired in 2016 I was asked if I would sit on the CJP Committee which I gladly did.
What is the best bit about CJP?
I work with amazing staff and families especially Carol Brown, our Activities Manager, who is so dedicated to bringing smiles to the faces of the children/young people by getting them out into the community, doing activities and having fun with their friends that may otherwise be denied to them.
Your most memorable moment from CJP?
My best memories are seeing the children/young people enjoying the Playschemes and Saturday activities and growing in confidence within the community. Without the support of Local and National organisations this would not be possible.
Interesting fact about yourself?
I was born in Cambridge and, after working within the University of Cambridge with students for 16 years, I moved to a Local Special Needs School and started as their Business Manager, a process which changed my outlook on life. The children/young people and families have so many different challenges to cope with every day.
After retiring from Granta School in 2016 I travel as much as possible with my husband. I am also treasurer for Friends of Granta and a Committee Member for a Local Motor Boat Club which I am a member of. I feel very proud to be a part of CJP
David Knight
How long have you volunteered for Cambridge Joint Playscheme? I have been a Trustee for 9 years
What is your role at CJP? Treasurer
Why did you sign up to volunteer/work with CJP? Our son had enjoyed attending CJP over a number of years so when long-serving Trustees retired I decided I would like to contribute and became a Trustee myself.
What is the best bit about CJP? The obvious pleasure and delight that our young people gain from the activity days and holiday clubs.
Your most memorable moment from CJP? The evening we held a party to celebrate the 21st anniversary of CJP. The event brought together young people who currently attend as well as many who had benefited in previous years, along with their families. Also, staff and volunteers past and present who have supported them during this time attended and a wonderful time was had by one and all.
Interesting fact about yourself? I have traveled widely over the years including overland through Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. However, I have somehow never managed to cross the border into Scotland! Well, I guess it is quite a way from Suffolk but it does remain an ambition!
Mel Stanford
How long have you volunteered for Cambridge Joint Playscheme? 7 years.
What is your role at CJP? I designed and maintain the CJP website as well as managing the Facebook page. I help Carol our Activities Manager with ideas for days out and help out with admin for the really busy Easter and Summer Playschemes.
Why did you sign up to volunteer/work with CJP? My son has autism, he joined CJP early 2012 and I saw the huge benefit CJP brought to not only him but the wider families. I strangely love Admin and offered to help Carol out in the office. We worked so well as a team and had such fun that I carried on, even after Oscar stopped attending CJP. I wanted to bring CJP to more families and so the website was born, hopefully showing everyone how amazing CJP is.
What is the best bit about CJP? The sense of family. Seeing how much fun the children have together and how much they get out of being at the Scheme. Carol is just amazing, she leads a fantastic team of staff and it is clear to see that they all love being there.
Your most memorable moment from CJP? The 21st birthday celebrations. It was a fantastic afternoon bringing together old members of staff and users of the Scheme, hearing how CJP had changed and all celebrating together. The silent disco was such fun! We all had fun with the photo booth, as well as meeting some princesses and superheros!
Interesting fact about yourself? I am a proud owner of two Blue Peter badges after winning a competition and coming runner up in another. I am a crazy cat person.