Wendy was born in Canada and has lived in the UK since the age of two and is a retired nurse, midwife and Residential Care Home Proprietor. She and her husband Alan live in an historic village in the north of Bournemouth with their Maine Coon cat called Tara. Their son, Lawrence is a Police Sargeant in Basingstoke and their daughter Amber is a Production Manager, manufacturing luxury craft goods.
Wendy became a guardian after originally standing in for a friend who was going abroad for a month. She loves her role as a guardian and meeting her students, who help her keep up-to-date, even, occasionally challenged! “Hearing about their home countries and their families is a particular part of the role I love.”
In her spare time, Wendy enjoys cooking and making cakes, growing vegetables, music, films, reading and yoga practice which is very important to her. She also loves to organise events in her village, volunteering and fighting to conserve their area and the wider community.
Despite living in the UK for most of her life, Wendy is still drawn back to Canada and America and would love to explore India much more. Despite having been only once, Wendy fell in love with the people, the colour, chaos and vibrancy of life and the pervading spirituality.
When meeting a student for the first time, Wendy tries not to overburden them with too much information. There is plenty of time in subsequent weeks when she meets up to organise “housekeeping,” phone, bank, GP, etc. Wendy makes sure a student understands she is there for them to help with school, health, accommodation, money, homesickness, contacts, etc. and they can get hold of her easily.
Wendy has huge admiration for the young people who travel thousands of miles away from their families and homes to study in the UK. She loves learning about their countries and cultures and the different educational systems. Wendy is very happy to speak to parents, letting them know, “I will be available for their child at any time to ensure they are safe and cared-for.” Wendy always makes certain they know how to contact her through Oxford Guardians, the school, the residence or host family and they share any worries they may have in any aspect of their child’s care.
