At Jamie’s Farm, we see every day how powerful it can be when women support one another to grow, lead and challenge expectations. From the young women and girls who visit our farms, to the women working across our teams, we are proud of a culture that encourages people to defy gender norms, level the playing field, all while lifting one another up.
The women who are part of Jamie’s Farm bring so much compassion, utmost skill, humour and resilience to their work. Whether they are caring for animals, supporting therapeutic conversations, mentoring colleagues or learning new skills through an apprenticeship, they help create environments where young people can experience a sense of purpose, belonging, and space for reflection.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we invited women from across the organisation, from apprentices to founders, to share reflections on who inspires them, what they are most proud of in their roles, and what supporting other women means to them.
Charlotte, Farm Manager, Jamie’s Farm Lewes
Charlotte is the Farm Manager at Jamie’s Farm Lewes, responsible for caring for the livestock and stewarding the land. Depending on the season, you might find Charlotte caring for cattle in the barn, shearing sheep in the sunshine, tending to newborn lambs in spring, or herding the farm’s cheeky pigs and goats.
Her work sits at the very heart of the farm experience for visiting young people. By involving them in meaningful, hands-on tasks, Charlotte helps them develop real confidence, responsibility and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Often found with one of her much-loved dogs in tow, Charlotte loves being outside as much as possible and sharing this passion with everyone who comes through the Lewes farm.
Who is one woman who has inspired you?
“I couldn’t possibly pick just one woman, but have always felt inspired by the Land girls in the Women’s Land Army!”
What part of your role are you most proud of?
“Giving young people their first real experience of farming. Seeing their curiosity grow as they connect the dots between livestock, food, and the work behind it is incredibly rewarding. If I can help shape how they see agriculture and what’s possible for them, that’s something I’m proud of.”
What does supporting others mean to you in your day-to-day work?
“Supporting others means leading in a way that makes space for others to grow. On the farm, that looks like sharing knowledge, encouraging confidence, and showing that anyone can belong in every part of agriculture, from the physical work to the strategic decisions. If I can help another person feel capable and supported, that’s something I value a lot.”
Hind, Therapeutic Coordinator and Outreach Lead, Jamie’s Farm Hereford
When young people arrive at Jamie’s Farm Hereford, Hind is often one of the people helping them settle in and feel safe in their new surroundings. With a calm and thoughtful presence, she creates spaces where young people feel listened to and understood, whether during a one-to-one conversation, a reflective walk around the farm, or a group discussion that gently encourages them to share their experiences.
Hind’s work focuses on building trust and helping young people reflect on their experiences through a relational and trauma-informed approach, supporting them to grow in confidence and begin to see themselves differently.
Alongside her work on the farm, Hind also leads outreach with schools, helping staff think differently about how they support young people back in the classroom. Recently speaking at the IncludeEd Conference, she shared insights on how to create a stronger sense of belonging for students and how elements of the Jamie’s Farm approach can be translated into everyday school life.
Reflecting on the impact of labels, Hind reminded attendees how the identities we’re given as children — “the naughty one”, “the quiet one”, “the difficult kid” — can cast a long shadow. Labels like these can quietly shape how young people see themselves and what they believe they’re capable of. Her message was simple and powerful. If we want young people to grow beyond limiting narratives, we must be careful not to place those narratives on them in the first place.
Who is one woman in your life who has inspired you?
“The women who inspire me most are the modern Kandakes of Sudan. The matriarchs, the protectors, who hold families and communities together. I grew up around women who created multigenerational homes, these women taught me that strength is not always loud. Sometimes it is the quiet consistency of showing up for others, of protecting space for honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity.
I am also deeply inspired by the women of the Sudanese diaspora. Their storytelling, advocacy, and fearlessness in returning to support and rebuild communities—even when uncertainty and challenges surround them- is remarkable. They carry a deep sense of responsibility, tenacity and hope, often delivered with a warmth and humour that keeps everyone grounded. That balance of courage, care, and humour is something I try to carry with me every day.”
What part of your role are you most proud of?
“One part of my role I feel particularly proud of is the collaborative work with visiting staff. I value creating opportunities for adults to step back and look at the young people they support through a different lens. Often, when staff come to the farm, they begin to see the young people they know in a new way—through curiosity rather than judgement, through relationship rather than behaviour. When staff begin to ask different questions, to be more curious, and to feel confident challenging assumptions about the young people in their care, it can transform the support those young people receive back at school. Knowing that this shift can help staff become stronger advocates for their young people is something I find incredibly meaningful.”
What does supporting other women mean to you in your day-to-day work?
“For me, supporting other women begins with creating safe spaces—spaces where women can be authentic, decompress, and feel genuinely heard and valued. In my day-to-day work, that means recognising that every woman brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and perspective shaped by her own journey. I believe deeply in teamwork that honours those differences rather than flattening them. It’s about offering compassion when things are difficult, celebrating strengths openly, and creating environments where people feel confident contributing their voice.”
Abi, Farming Apprentice, Jamie’s Farm Monmouth
Abi is a central member of the Jamie’s Farm team at the Monmouth Farm, where she is completing a Level 3 farming apprenticeship. Alongside developing her practical farming skills, she spends time supporting visiting young people and engaging them in purposeful work across the farm. Through her work, Abi is a brilliant role model for young women and boys, who may often be experiencing farm life for the very first time.
Abi shares a strong work ethic and great sense of humour with the young people she works with.
Who is one woman who has inspired you?
“Definitely my mum, she’s always told me to do what I want to do, and assured me that you can always find a way to do so, if you want it enough.”
What part of your role are you most proud of?
“I’m proud of how much confidence I’ve found within a team, and being able to help inspire young people to follow their aspirations.”
What does supporting others mean to you in your day-to-day work?
“Supporting others and constantly learning from others is crucial to me. I love being involved with a team where there is always support with absolutely anything and room to always learn and grow.”
Tish, Co-Found and Director of Therapeutic Education
Tish Feilden founded Jamie’s Farm alongside her son, Jamie Feilden. A former teacher and psychotherapist, she developed the therapeutic approach that underpins the charity’s work across the UK today.
Tish leads the organisation’s therapeutic methodology, supporting TheapTherapeuticic Coordinators across the farms, training staff, and sharing Jamie’s Farm’s approach with professionals through her writing, podcasts, and CPD sessions. She believes deeply in the importance of the environment, that the living spaces, natural surroundings and culture of care on the farms play a crucial role in helping young people feel safe, valued and able to flourish.
Who is one woman who has inspired you?
“I met Anne Feilden (my husband’s aunt) when I was 18, and she ran a welcoming, busy farmhouse with 6 of her own children, multiple cousins and visiting young people. She was highly intelligent, always showed genuine interest and engaged in fascinating conversation while juggling household and farm tasks with no signs of stress.”
What part of your role are you most proud of?
“Having listened and worked and lived alongside thousands of children I care most about them being able to flourish and feel loved and lovable- I feel proud that Jamie’s farm allows them to reveal how wonderful they are.”
What does supporting other women mean to you in your day-to-day work?
“Support from other women is what has built my confidence and fed my energy, and I want to do that for other women to help them feel they are understood and supported and then can bring the best of themselves to work and feel proud of what they give.”
A big shout-out to the women of Jamie’s Farm
The stories shared here reflect the breadth of roles and experiences across Jamie’s Farm, from the daily rhythms of farm life to therapeutic practice, education and leadership. What connects them is a shared belief in the potential of young people and the importance of creating environments where they can feel safe, valued and capable.
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women across our teams who help make that possible every day. Through their compassion and collaboration, they help ensure that every young person who comes to Jamie’s Farm has the opportunity to discover a sense of purpose, experience belonging, and find time and space for meaningful reflection.
We are incredibly grateful for what every single woman brings to the Jamie’s Farm community.
