Graduate Stories: An Interview with Jannell
Roots and Shoots graduating students go on to a variety of destinations including paid work, higher level courses, supported training and volunteering. Our Graduate Stories feature our recently-graduated students who are creating a bright future for themselves. |
"Try lots of work experience and find the thing that you love."
Jannell
Jannell attended a mainstream Lambeth secondary school where she took part in our School Links Programme. After getting to know Roots and Shoots through these practical and accredited weekly sessions she got into the Study Programme where she focused on Floristry. After gaining her Floristry Level 1 certificate, Jannell joined our Pre-Supported Internship scheme in 2017. Following a year of hard work, she was offered a part-time catering role at a popular Waterloo-based café and now works there full time.
Where did you first hear about Roots and Shoots?
I was 17 when I started at Roots and Shoots full time but I used to do gardening with the School Links programme when I was in secondary school so I knew Roots and Shoots already. I studied Retail then Floristry on the study programme, along with Employability and Functional Skills. I also did music, yoga and sports.
What’s the most important thing you learnt at Roots and Shoots?
Flower arranging. And being nice to each other. I gained lots of confidence and tried loads of new things.
You were one of the first Roots and Shoots Supported Interns. Tell us about that experience.
In my final year I joined the Supported Internship programme. You get to do a lot more as an Intern. I worked with the catering team, helped out at events and did admin tasks in the office. I got a lot of responsibility. I also did lots of work experience - at the Travel Café, Sense Charity Shop, Archbishop’s Park and Bee Urban. I was really busy!
What’s the best thing about Roots and Shoots?
The best thing about Roots and Shoots was the friends I made there. We see each other nearly every weekend. We go on trips together and have visited lots of places in London, walking in the parks, and visiting famous sites.
What are you doing now?
I have been working at Carter’s Cafe in Tower Hill for over two years now. We sell coffee and food, as well as plants. I got the job through Roots and Shoots and had help to write my CV and the job coach came to the interview with me. I was nervous about the interview but the manager was really nice. She asked me about other work placements I had done – luckily I had lots to tell her.
What are your plans for the future?
I’d like to work with flowers again, in a floristry shop or have my own floristry business. I want to travel, maybe to Harry Potter World in Florida. I’m also teaching myself how to play the guitar.
Read more about graduate stories