Hello, my name is Karen Bennett and I am Mum to a girl who attends St Osmund's and a boy who is in Year Three, here at St Mary's. I have lived in Charminster for twenty-four years and am passionate about the local communities which I want to support through this role. I am a trained youth worker and have worked with young people for over fifteen years. I was a Participation Worker with Action for Children for just under twelve years, working with vulnerable children, young people and their parents. I worked creatively to help them have a voice in the services they used and ensured decision-makers listened to their views when shaping and funding services. As the Family Support Advisor at St Mary's, I have the children at the heart of everything I do, to ensure they realise and aspire to achieve their full potential. Through forstering positive relationships between families and staff, we can work together to help all children enjoy and thrive at school... "It takes a whole village to raise a child." (Nigerian Proverb) I am in school everyday in various roles but Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are my designated days for my Family Support Advisor role. If I can help in any way, please pop in or contact me via email.