Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Courses
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Anna Johnston

Liverpool

Summary

I am a dedicated workshop facilitator, experienced in creating enriching experiences for diverse audiences. I empower individuals through tailored activities that promote personal growth, skill development and enhance community ties. I focus on inclusivity and safety, ensuring all participants feel valued and supported.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Community Event Organiser

Wheel of the Year
Liverpool
09.2025 - Current
  • Organised a 6 weekly event in line with the Wheel of the Year calendar, allowing the community to gather together outside and build a connection to nature/ritual within a multigenerational group.
  • Worked with the community to create collaborative offerings that benefit every participant.
  • Coordinated schedules and collaborated with participants to develop engaging alternative events.
  • Facilitated workshops for participants to collaboratively create costumes and props for upcoming events.

Forest School Leader

GROW Wellbeing
Liverpool
01.2023 - Current
  • Planned and delivered enriching sessions with activities such as art, communal cooking and games that prioritised process-oriented learning to adapt to different participants' needs.
  • Facilitated workshops and created an inclusive environment for diverse groups, including individuals in addiction recovery, toddlers, CAMHS teenagers, domestic abuse survivors and SEN children.
  • Demonstrated empathy, patience and kindness to ensure participants felt welcome and comfortable during sessions, enhancing their overall experience.

Outdoor Early Years Practitioner

Into The Ark
01.2024 - 01.2025
  • Through a child-led approach, I worked with 3-5 year olds in a fully outdoors setting.
  • Applied knowledge of child development and play strategies to enhance children's gross and fine motor skills, language and social skills.
  • Acted as a Key Person for several children, building meaningful relationships with them and their families.
  • Completed a Level 3 EYFS qualification.
  • Completed Safeguarding and First Aid training
  • When safeguarding issues arose, I was able to file accurate reports and inform appropriate staff members.

Garden Club Founder and Organiser

Self employed
Liverpool
01.2023 - 01.2025
  • Founded and organised a creative community provision in an outdoor space we could access for free, with the aim of promoting access to nature and supporting new parents.
  • Strengthened the community by providing regular, free outdoor sessions that provided a support network for new parents.
  • Ensured viability and success by conducting regular progress meetings with parents and sourcing essential equipment for comfort and safety.
  • Together with the other parents, a framework and a rota were created so there were always different parents running the sessions in their own unique ways.
  • Conducted weekly risk assessments and enhancements to continually improve the space.

Furniture Maker & Designer

Self Employed
Liverpool
01.2014 - 07.2024
  • Collaborated with clients to design, create and deliver customised furniture solutions.
  • Operated as a self-employed furniture maker and designer, specialising in bespoke creations.
  • Managed multiple concurrent projects while ensuring timely completion and efficiency.
  • Maintained accurate records to effectively manage budgets, timeframes and client expectations.

Ceramics Technician

Granby Workshop
Liverpool
01.2017 - 01.2020
  • Mentored and supported new staff members, inducting them on safe use of heavy machinery and health and safety practices within the workshop.
  • Participated in design days to troubleshoot new designs and experiment with innovative ideas.
  • Collaborated in a small team, attending weekly meetings to facilitate communication between Maker and Office teams.
  • Exhibited work all over the world but a highlight was the Venice Biennale in 2018 in which we installed a floor of 8000 of our handmade tiles.

Children's Puppet Workshop Facilitator

Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Facilitated puppet-making workshops for children throughout the festival, encouraging creativity and hands-on learning.
  • Collaborated with a small team to create large-scale puppets to be used alongside the workshopped puppets, for the festival parade.
  • Sourced materials and coordinated logistics nationwide to ensure timely availability for festival workshops.

Education

NVQ Level 3 - Early Years Foundation Stage

Realise Training
Liverpool
01-2025

Young Heroes Training - Voluntary reading with children in care

The Reader
Liverpool
01-2024

NVQ Level 3 - Forest School Leader

Community By Nature
Liverpool
01-2021

Fine Furniture Making and Design - Fine Furniture - Making and Designing

David Savage Furniture School
Devon
01-2014

Bachelor of Arts - History of Modern Art

University of Manchester
Manchester
01-2025

Skills

  • Workshop facilitation
  • Community engagement
  • Creative and innovative
  • Good communication skills
  • Good time management
  • Creative problem solver
  • Accountability
  • Organised
  • Flexible under pressure
  • Health and Safety implementation
  • Risk assessment writing and implementation
  • Event coordination

References

  • Amy Mackintosh, Into The Ark, 07968196629, admin@intotheark.co.uk
  • Jim Loftus, GROW Wellbeing, 07841753309, jim@grow-wellbeing.com

Courses

  • Foraging and Creating Natural Paints, Inks and Pastels

      Found and Ground, Schumacher College, Devon, 2024

  • Wild Ceramics - Digging and Firing Clay in a Woodland Setting

      Native Hands, Sussex, 2018

Languages

Spanish
Upper Intermediate
B2

Timeline

Community Event Organiser

Wheel of the Year
09.2025 - Current

Outdoor Early Years Practitioner

Into The Ark
01.2024 - 01.2025

Forest School Leader

GROW Wellbeing
01.2023 - Current

Garden Club Founder and Organiser

Self employed
01.2023 - 01.2025

Ceramics Technician

Granby Workshop
01.2017 - 01.2020

Children's Puppet Workshop Facilitator

Glastonbury Festival
01.2016 - 01.2018

Furniture Maker & Designer

Self Employed
01.2014 - 07.2024

NVQ Level 3 - Early Years Foundation Stage

Realise Training

Young Heroes Training - Voluntary reading with children in care

The Reader

NVQ Level 3 - Forest School Leader

Community By Nature

Fine Furniture Making and Design - Fine Furniture - Making and Designing

David Savage Furniture School

Bachelor of Arts - History of Modern Art

University of Manchester
Anna Johnston