In addition to finding lots of wonderful free resources, one of the reasons people visit the Wonderful Me! website is to explore the possibility of us working together in some way … perhaps you are looking for some training, consultancy or mentoring support and would like to find out a little more about me and what I do? If that’s you, then let me introduce myself!

I am married to the incredible Ali Campbell and we have two wonderful daughters who are now in their late teens/early twenties. When I’m not writing resources or a preach, or delivering training or mentoring, you will probably find me up a hill, by a river or on a beach with a flask and a biscuit! A cup of tea outside always tastes so much better!

Having originally trained to be a teacher of French and Spanish back in 2000 (bonjour!), I went on to discover the beautiful world of inclusion and additional needs and trained to be a SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) – a role which I have enjoyed in both primary and secondary schools.

Alongside my teaching career, I have always been involved in children’s and youth ministry in local churches and at various regional and national events. In many ways, children’s and youth ministry is in my DNA – it’s the family business! I was privileged to grow up in a family where my parents were full-time children’s ministers before that was really a thing – and it continues to be a massive part of life for Ali and I – and our girls!

When, we moved, as a family, from Sussex to Clitheroe, in Lancashire in 2017, I took a break from education to enjoy a new opportunity, working as Volunteer Programme Development Manager and Safeguarding Lead for a charity that partners with local churches- leading on the creation of resources and training for volunteers, equipping them to journey with struggling families in their communities through 1:1 coaching in schools and through holiday activity programmes.

I am also passionate about the local church and, before moving to Lancashire, Ali and I were leading a family church plant on the estate where we were living in Sussex. I believe that, as the family of God, we have the opportunity of creating safe spaces where every child feels seen and heard and can flourish – growing in their understanding of the wonder that they each are!

In many ways, Wonderful Me! has beautifully woven together the various strands of my story so far – bringing together the experience and knowledge I have from both Education and Church Ministry. Over the years, I have worked in some challenging spaces and seen first hand the struggle that many of our children and their families are facing every day. I passionately believe that, as the family of God, the local church is well placed to journey well with those struggling families – to create safe spaces where everyone can feel seen, heard, valued and can flourish as they discover the love of God. And if there was ever a time when safe spaces were needed that create opportunity for healing and encounter with Jesus – it is now as we navigate a post-pandemic world. The isolation, loss and trauma of living through a lock down has wreaked havoc on the development and well-being of children and families in our communities.

Wonderful Me! grew out of a desire to support, equip and enable churches to be present in that brokenness and to journey it well, following the example of Jesus. To draw on some of the rich learning that has taken place over the past 20 years or so that has helped us understand even more the truth that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving God – as we have grown in our understanding of neurodiversity, trauma and emotional well-being.

So, having introduced myself a little – let me tell you more about Wonderful Me! …