Sarah Lane

Secretary

I first discovered Woodlarks when I met my partner Nick Richards, the Honorary Warden, when we both worked at a school for children with special educational needs in London. We both volunteered with the school’s youth club who used to camp here twice a year. Like most people who visit Woodlarks, I was struck by the sense of belonging as you come up the drive.

What has always amazed me is the family feel that the camps have. For some people we are their only holiday of the year and when they come it’s a special place where they catch up with their friends and “Woodlarks Family”.

When the vacancies for Honorary Warden and Honorary Secretary became available, we jumped at the chance. Luckily for us we were offered the roles and in January 2003 we moved into Kathleen Marshall House. Initially we planned to stay for only five years but we have loved our time here and here we still are. I undertook the role as secretary in a voluntary capacity for 13 years but Woodlarks and the roles had grown so much, I was offered paid employment. However, I continue to volunteer for the camp site at working parties and often end up cleaning!

My career started in London working in the early years sector. Shortly after, I took a job at a SEN school and was there for 13 years. After this I went to work for a NHS Trust in a day nursery where I ran the pre-school room.

After moving to Woodlarks, I worked at a local college assessing NVQs in childcare. Later I achieved my Teaching Qualification and taught at two colleges and worked for a local training company.

At present, my role at Woodlarks is varied. This is a brief list of what I do: I am heavily involved in all admin processes and with regulatory compliance (health and safety). I also arrange the working party rotas and I organise the grotto; order gifts, book the schools in and volunteers for this. I also liaise with camp leaders.

My time here has been an amazing experience, and I have learnt so much. I am proud to know the volunteers and campers who come here. I think the main thing that I have taken from my time here is that we are all an extended family where the love that is shown, and the trust that we all place in each other is truly humbling.

Woodlarks is a unique place where friendships are made and families forged.