Helen

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

I am a friendly writer, illustrator, and teacher of both creative writing and ESOL. I travel for nature, sharing my story-writing toolkit for refugees: https://www.kitabna.org/our-toolkit.html

Description

I'm a friendly, creative person with a passion for connecting with people and stories (www.helenpatuck-cc.com). I really like to help people turn their dreams into reality and find their voices. I've spent the last ten years working with communities affected by war in the Middle East, the Caucasus, Europe and the UK. I find the ways in which people heal and rebuild their lives really inspiring. I love animals, forests, gardens and being outside so getting closer to nature is a big goal, and learning how people live with the land!

Interests

Politics / Social justice

LGBTQ

Sustainability

Pets

Culture

Self development

Farming

Charity work

Drawing & painting

Writing

Cooking & food

Gardening

Languages

Photography

Music

History

Books

Art & design

Animals

Yoga / Wellness

Water sports

Outdoor activities

Sailing / Boating

Nature

Camping

Dancing

Mountain

Beach

Cycling

Hiking

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Arabic: Beginner
Polish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I love languages. I have a degree in English Literature and am qualified to teach ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). I write and teach creative writing internationally with my non-profit organisation, Kitabna, which means "our book" in Arabic (www.kitabna.org) and my consultancy to the UN and other humanitarian organisations (www.helenpatuck-cc.com). I have also been teaching English to refugees in my community in England for two years. I began learning French in Switzerland in 2012, and started learning Arabic in Lebanon 2014. I have been speaking French and Arabic for 10 years, and started learning Polish two years ago.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Life at a Farmstay

Gardening

Eco Projects

Animal Care

House sitting

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Able to teach about:  

Charity Work

Art Projects

Languages

Teaching

More details about your skills

I work as a creative writer and illustrator, currently consulting for the World Health Organisation on psychological interventions. I also write children's books and run The Kitabna Project: www.kitabna.org. I can garden, cook, teach, care for animals, manage projects, facilitate creative spaces.

Age

36

What else ...

I really love swimming outside and exploring forests and local stories. I enjoy discovering the ecologies of different places. I like card games and play music in a band, and on my own. I enjoy songwriting, with piano and baritone ukulele. I really enjoy discovering local histories, especially histories of peacebuilding, resistance movements, women's histories, and LGBTQ+ communities.

I am sensitive to loud noise, so will prefer to be in a quiet place.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  No

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  Special dietary requirements
  No, but I am largely vegetarian.