I moved to Orkney in August 1993 from south London with my two sons and another child on the way. It was a huge culture shock for us when we got here. I lived right out in the sticks of Costa in Evie in an old farmhouse. It felt like I had left the fast lane and was now on the hard shoulder! I was so homesick for my markets and busy lifestyle that I returned to London for a month. The hustle and bustle and watching my pram, my bag, etc.... stressed me terribly so I only lasted two weeks before returning to Orkney, making it my permanent home - and I have never looked back!!

I started working in adult literacy back in 2001 and still work in adult literacy - by choice! It has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life and I have met some amazing people who were brave enough to ask for our help. It is so important that people realise that we all have our strengths and weaknesses. I am still learning new skills and many of them are from the folk who have asked for help in the first place :-)