Momentum volunteer who makes pebbles for the charity

“I first discovered Momentum when one of their longstanding volunteers, John, spoke at my local WI group. He shared the story of the painted pebbles and their special meaning for the children the charity supports. When he mentioned they were looking for more painters, I knew it was the right time for me to give back.

My career has been in the aviation industry for 40 years, including 25 years with the Concorde Team. My experience spans ground operations, training, and development roles worldwide, reporting indirectly to the CEO. I currently work as a consultant assessing pilots and airline crew.

Alongside my aviation career, I have been a freelance craft tutor and demonstrator for many years. More recently, I qualified as a lead carer specialising in dementia care. My passion for art began in childhood and evolved into a deep interest in scrapbooking, card making, and mixed media. In the 1990s, I co-founded a local arts and crafts club to bring creative people together.

As a qualified tutor, I specialise in mixed media and paper crafts. This passion has allowed me to lead workshops in diverse settings, including Holloway Prison, corporate away days, and sessions for children with additional needs or people living with dementia. I truly believe that crafting sparks positive energy and connection.

I still remember the first pebble I painted for a Momentum family – a unicorn for a little girl. To help with the difficulty of sourcing natural pebbles due to beach laws, I developed a method using moulds with Plaster of Paris and concrete. These provide a smooth surface for acrylics and pens. I now produce around 500 pebbles a year.

It is incredibly moving to know these pebbles bring a small moment of joy to children facing difficult challenges. Volunteering for Momentum has shown me the heart and dedication that goes into running this charity, and I encourage anyone considering it to join this fantastic support network.

Outside of work and volunteering, I enjoy traveling the UK with my husband and exploring nature. To celebrate my 60th birthday this July, I am trying a new craft class every month, including calligraphy, glass fusion, and pottery. My motto is: ‘Don’t just dream it, make it a reality, even if it’s for a day.’”

We are always looking for more people to join our team of volunteers. There are lots of ways to get involved, from supporting events and community activities to helping in the office or lending a hand with collections and fundraising.

If you would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you. Email volunteers@momentumcharity.org or find out more here