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
Liverpool01-2025
Young Heroes Training - Voluntary reading with children in care
The Reader
Liverpool01-2024
NVQ Level 3 - Forest School Leader
Community By Nature
Liverpool01-2021
Fine Furniture Making and Design - Fine Furniture - Making and Designing
David Savage Furniture School
Devon01-2014
Bachelor of Arts - History of Modern Art
University of Manchester
Manchester01-2025
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