Having experienced significant personal trauma, Jade moved to Calderdale in search of a fresh start and to reconnect with her biological father. Unsure of her path, she was introduced to Sharon, the founder of Verd de Gris, the first step in a life-changing journey.
“I was in a dark place when I first met Sharon,” Jade recalls. “But being welcomed into a safe space where I could just be me made all the difference.”
She joined a small, gentle peer-support group of women with similar experiences, gradually rebuilding her confidence. Encouraged by her progress, Jade went on to complete Verd de Gris’s Begin2Change and Behind the Mask programmes, both designed to empower women through creativity and reflection.
Behind the Mask is a year-long creative wellbeing programme that gives women the time and space to explore the factors that affect their lives, while Begin2Change helps participants take practical steps towards education, employment, or volunteering.
Through these courses, Jade rediscovered her self-belief and eventually found her place with One Voice, a creative collective of women united by their passion for the arts.
“Joining One Voice was a turning point,” she says. “I found my true self there. Seeing my dad in the audience, cheering me on, meant everything. It reminded me how far I’d come.”
Jade’s confidence continued to grow. She returned to adult education, became a Student Ambassador for Calderdale Adult Learning, and began fundraising and volunteering across the borough, including with Lead the Way, where she helped adults with learning disabilities and their carers express themselves creatively by designing an artistic map of Calderdale, encouraging them to illustrate the places that meant the most to them.
“Seeing the smiles on people’s faces every day was amazing,” Jade says. “It made me realise how much I love helping others and hearing their stories.”
Jade’s dedication and compassion didn’t go unnoticed.
This year, she was honoured at the West Yorkshire Adult Learner Awards, hosted bythe Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, where she won the Giving Back Award, recognising her advocacy for adult learning, her personal growth as a student, and her commitment to uniting different generations of women through creativity.
In addition, she also received the Special Recognition Award from Calderdale Adult Learning, which praised her outstanding contribution to the learning community.
In a post on Facebook, Calderdale Adult Learning commented:
“Jade never misses a meeting or fundraising event and gives up so much of her time to help. She’s always chatting to new learners, showing them around, and encouraging them to enrol. She’s a brilliant advocate for adult education and a real inspiration to others.”
From feeling lost and uncertain to becoming a role model for others, Jade’s remarkable journey from learner to leader demonstrates the vital role local organisations like Verd de Gris play in supporting people to rebuild their lives.
“I used to doubt myself,” she reflects. “Now, I know I have something to give and I want others to see that no matter where you start, you can get to where you want to be.”
