Staff in the spotlight

Keen outdoorsman Lewis Jones joined ACT in 2018 and he’s now embarking on a new role at our Barry centre. He tells us that the best classrooms don’t have walls!

Tell us a little bit about your role, and what the average day looks like…

I am the JGW+ Delivery Manager in Barry. Every day is different. I aim to make everything run in a fluid motion within the centre. I do everything from creating an exciting curriculum, to managing people and looking after the safeguarding of Learners.

I also head up “enrichment” and love this aspect of my new role. I help guide, plan and organise exciting experiences, for young people. This can be anything from sailing to art! One exciting project we have on the go is transforming a space at Ynys Hywel, in Caerphilly, into an eco-garden wellbeing haven!

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I love witnessing when an enrichment activity has engaged a learner and has positively impacted on their life. New experiences which give the learner a chance to simply try something new that will remain in their memory. The confidence they take from that experience is huge and I find it extremely rewarding.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…

At home I cook at least a few meals a week outside, with my sons. I love to BBQ and with my chef background can’t resist cooking on charcoal and wood. I have transformed my back garden into an outdoor kitchen!

Where is the best place you have travelled to?

Koh Tao in Thailand. We went scuba diving. Brilliant experience, I felt like we were in a different world. I got chatting to a local and they took me swimming with sharks and turtles. Wonderful experience.

What is the last album you listened to?

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Best ever and never gets old!

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

Being a life model for a drawing class. It’s very hard to sit still for so long and tricky not to nod off. I also had a funny time working in a bakery. I was eating too many treats, so thought it was a good idea to load the iced buns with a sandwich filler. Highly recommended, prawn mayo in an iced bun!

How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working?

I live in the Gower and love to fish and forage. I enjoy catching fish, crabs and lobsters and then cooking them up on the BBQ. I also enjoy surfing, kayaking, triathlons and working on our family allotment.

What would be your top tip for colleagues?

Break down the boundaries of a classroom. The best and richest classroom has no walls and is covered only by the sky. I recently went on an enrichment activity to “Jamie’s Farm” in Monmouth. No phones or screens were allowed. Time slowed right down and the lack of distractions had a fantastic impact on me. It allowed me to take note of everything that was happening and appreciate it.