Early morning in Barking and I can just hear the birds beginning to chat away to each other. Lot to do today. One of two final project proposals' deadline is imminent and I want to make sure we have covered everything.
Last night was brilliant - Jon Snow who has been a Patron of Arc for precisely five days welcomed four of our Finding the Words girls Ebun, Precious, Sefunmi and Esosa to sit in the transmission Suite for his Channel 4 evening news broadcast.
We were about half an hour early and stopped off for a hot chocolate in a cafe near ITN on Grays Inn Road. The girls were excited about the experience, but had no idea what to expect. Ebun and Sefunmi know who Jon is and the others recognised him immediately when he arrived in reception to pick us up. Once they had got over the 'OMG it's Jon Snow off the TV' moment - they relaxed and chatted like they had known him for ages.
Of course Jon is pass master at making people feel at ease at the same time as posing the killer question, or/and forensic observation. He wouldn't have survived his 24 years at ITN if he couldn't navigate with elegance the murky and not so murky waters of British life. His unflappable style and ability to sniff out the inauthentic is great fun to watch, as is the empathy and genuine regard for other human beings. These coupled with dayglo lime green socks and matching tie and you have the measure of the man, or should I say our new Patron!
The girls asked about his job and he said he loved it. It doesn't matter how many hours you work if you really enjoy what you are doing! He asked them about what they want to do, Criminologist, Midwife, Actress/accountant......
I think a job in TV might have been added to the list yesterday.
Through our Finding The Words Programme (led by Natalie) the girls aged 15-16 work as peer leaders and presenters in schools across Barking and Dagenham, sharing their film and talking to other young people about gangs, violence and domestic violence. Meeting Jon today and knowing he has just joined the Arc Tribe means a lot to them and to us all. The bond is already established - and we can't wait for more opportunities to play! Big thanks to Jon.
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| Me, Esosa, Jon!, Ebun, Sefunmi, Natalie and Precious. C4 News Feb 12 2013 |
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