Meet our new mentor
Written by Tir Coed / Monday 22 February 2021
Hi. I’m Jenna, the new mentor for Tir Coed in Carmarthenshire.
Starting in early December, I’m still finding my feet but have quickly learned that I’ve joined a great team of interesting and friendly people who do some incredible work in the outdoors.
Activity Leaders Ben and Peter have been brilliant, helping me along as I’ve learned new skills and allowing me to settle into the role, and I’ve even got a (very wonky) spatula to show for it!
Tell us a little something about yourself...
I grew up in Carmarthenshire before heading off to university to study environmental science. I then worked on a number of employment support projects for a not-for-profit organisation before moving to the National Trust as their visitor experience officer, which I did until early this year.
What are your hobbies?
I am a keen walker and particularly enjoy exploring footpaths or heading to the hills with a tent and my two dogs. I’m interested in conservation projects, heritage and wildlife watching and I love reading a good book.
What excites you most about your new role?
I’ve always known that I wanted to help connect people with places so this role is the perfect fit. I’m excited about meeting new people and supporting them in their journey, be it on the road to employment, volunteering or to finding a new hobby and improving their wellbeing.
What do you enjoy most about being outdoors?
The outdoors provides an opportunity for me to relax and unwind and so I enjoy the benefits on my physical and mental health most of all.
What inspires you?
There are some brilliant poets who write beautifully about their connection with nature who inspire me to get outside, whatever the weather. Helen Mort’s poem ‘The Wild in Me’ is a great one.
What's your favourite season of the year and why?
This is probably the hardest question of all – especially for someone as indecisive as me. I’ll choose winter as today has been one of those lovely (but rare) cold, crisp winters days where the sun has been shining. On a day like today there’s nothing better than wrapping up in a hat and scarf and heading out with a flask of hot chocolate.
If you were a tree, what tree would you be and why?
I would like to be an Elder, as I’m pretty obsessed with foraging the flowers and berries to make lots of lovely recipes and I would save some for the birds and dormice too.
