Workday 14/03/2025
The day I had been eagerly anticipating finally arrived for my self-initiated project (SIP). After weeks of planning, organizing, and refining my ideas, I was ready to bring my vision to life. Surprisingly, the biggest challenge wasn’t preparing the activities themselves, but rather navigating the language barrier. With 25 energetic children full of curiosity and my workplace buzzing with rapid French conversations, I knew I had to push myself linguistically. Thanks to UAL and the Turing Scheme, I had the opportunity to take online French lessons with International House London, which helped me build the confidence to introduce my workshop in French, one sentence at a time. Despite a few inevitable slip-ups that earned giggles from the children, I embraced the challenge, knowing that design is not just about visuals it’s about communication, connection, and shared understanding.
The workshop was more than just an event it became an interactive and meaningful exchange with future generations. The children were fully engaged, listening attentively and participating with enthusiasm. Through planting and recycling activities, they discovered the joy of being creative while learning about environmental responsibility. It was inspiring to see how a simple, hands-on activity could ignite excitement and curiosity about sustainability. The impact extended beyond that single day, as the children left eager to share their experience with friends and family, spreading awareness and encouraging small but meaningful actions at home. Watching them interact with nature and understanding its importance in such a playful and colourful way, was a truly rewarding experience.
Beyond the immediate joy of the workshop, the experience left a lasting impression on me. It reinforced my belief in the power of design to drive social and environmental change. Seeing the direct impact of this initiative, alongside the philanthropic legacy of the Clews family, inspired me to integrate more community-driven, sustainable approaches into my future projects. Whether at the Château or anywhere else in the world, I am more committed than ever to designing spaces and experiences that not only serve a purpose but also inspire and educate, fostering a deeper connection between people and the environment.