Val Hennessy
As another summer season approaches, I find I am looking forward to it more than I have for several years. It really feels like we have turned a corner in business terms.
Life has returned to something approaching normal. I am still running, although I have no upcoming races and I now think it is unlikely that I will ever do a half-marathon. However, I enjoy the activity and it gives me much needed thinking time, so races or not, I intend to continue. Marcel and I are still dancing at least twice a week. It is wonderful to have things to do which help you to focus your mind on something other than work. When I dance, dancing is all there is. It is like meditation in movement.
Both children are back home for the summer and both working for us at the school. And we need them there. I am a firm beleiver in young people and I like to have as many as possible at IH Bristol. Nothing beats their enthusiasm, their energy and their unwavering belief that the best is yet to come. It helps me to remember that life is still an adventure and I am still a part of it.
I have also made a return to the classroom. I realised that a hightlight of every day was interacting with our students and decided that I would offer free classes addressing language issues raised by students. I love it. It brings back why I set up the school in the first place and shows me that we can make a difference.
2023 has also seen us continue with our refugee work and this, too, is a wonderful way to remind myself not just how lucky I am but how much difference I can make. Seeing our refugees go on to find jobs, enter the health service or go into further education is uplifting. We all have the power to make the world a little better and I can see how I am doing just that.
This summer also marks my 20th wedding anniversary, which is a milestone. I can hardly believe I have been married that long and I can guarantee you that there will be a lot of celebrating. As it falls during July, an overseas trip is out of the question, but we are going to spoil ourselves for a weekend in the beautiful Peak District.