Jess has only recently taken over as Blesma’s new Activities Manager but she already has big plans for 2016...

I grew up horse riding. I was lucky because my mum and dad rode, and my aunt ran a stables. I got hooked. I wasn’t naturally talented but I worked really hard and represented Team GB in western riding equestrian from the age of 14 to 20. My last year was as captain. After that I coached international equestrian champions and then worked for the military charity Horseback UK. I created a rehabilitation programme, which was a great experience. I went to a lot of events, set up horse shows, brought clients to events – it taught me adaptability and gave me great people skills.

Before I applied for this job, I went on a Blesma activity as a carer. I’d met a Member, Ali Grant, and had become friends with her. She invited me on a skiing exped as her carer. She is paralysed from the waist down and was just amazing on the slopes. Everyone was so fast! It was a wonderful trip, and confirmation of the can-do attitude at Blesma. Working with injured veterans has changed my outlook. I used to be quite a negative, pessimistic person, and now I’m very positive. I’m extremely grateful for what I’ve got.

I feel like I’ve come into this job at a really good time, with all the activities in a great place. I’ve got the utmost respect for Dave Coulton. He developed events effectively. Blesma had 40 events last year – lots more than when he started. Now it’s up to me to take them on even further. 

Dave built on a structure of Members leading Members. I want to develop that through a leadership programme. We want to give our activity leaders more support through a clear structure and appropriate training. By investing in them, we hope to encourage more Members to take part and secure the activities programme for the future. We’re going to carry out a Member’s survey to find out how we can get more people involved in activities. There is a great variety to Blesma’s activities, from photography to skiing, but we want the Members to guide us more.

Getting Members out of their homes and as active as possible is my aim for next year.

Jess March

My first two months here have been great fun. I’ve met loads of Members already and I want to talk to as many people as possible – to find out how activities changed their lives, because the stories are always so uplifting, but also to get negative feedback and find out how our events can be improved

I want Blesma to host more activities than ever next year. We already have seven new ones lined up. The key is for Members to gain confidence and independence, and enjoy the social aspect in a comfortable environment.