Meet the team.
Hi, I’m Caitlin Howells, founding director of “Field of Joy”.
Field of Joy brings together my passions of connecting people
and working together in nature.
I have over 20 years of experience of delivering community
projects all over the UK with people with learning disabilities, families, children and teens, older people, and intergenerational groups.
I am a highly trained and experienced community artist facilitator and playworker, as well as an avid smallholder and carer of animals.
See my Facebook page Caitlin Howells Community Arts for some
of my past projects.
Testimonials about Caitlin’s work:
“Caitlin's workshops are always highly creative, imaginative, and inclusive. She is so skilled in engaging everyone, bringing wonderful ideas to life, and making sure that the process is accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Students at Caitlin's sessions always feel listened to and able to share their thoughts with the group, she encourages a warm
and engaging atmosphere for all.
I'm always amazed at the aspiration and the ambition of the projects - she's led workshops where we've created everything from giant banners for festivals, to 3D worlds and fantastical costumes,
and students are always immersed in the creativity and fun”.
— Charlie Meyer, Project Development Officer, Brave Arts, Suffolk Artlink
“I have spent my career working with adults with learning disabilities in various roles and I can honestly say Caitlin is one of the most inclusive, responsive, and creative practitioners I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Her compassion and empathy combined with her creative skills and her love and respect for nature make this next venture, the Field of Joy an exciting, unique, and natural transition for her.
The Field of Joy and all it stands for gives me hope
for a better and more accessible world. Working holistically, respectfully, and imaginatively with individuals with additional needs, in harmony with nature, and caring for a range of animals will support and meet many of these needs.
Confidence, self-esteem, emotional regulation, teamwork, communication...to name but a few. I look forward to watching this project take root and grow and feel excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for individuals who choose to take part and journey
with it”.
— Rachel Bennett, Brave Arts, Suffolk Artlink
“I cannot recommend Caitlin highly enough! She absolutely charmed the tearaway teens that I was working with and fully engaged them in creative projects that they never would have got involved with previously. Caitlin is a beacon of calm and a wonderfully engaging facilitator”.
— Claire Salter
My name is Oona and I have been volunteering at Field of Joy for about 2 years. I studied Animal Management at Easton College for 2 years, during which I had a work placement at a local vet surgery, which has helped me learn more about the animals we have at the field and how to handle and care for them.
A particularly special day for me was when the two young goat twins were born, as I had to bundle them up to keep them warm and help feed them until their mum could.
I love animals and have had guinea pigs, chickens, and a cat myself, and enjoy dog walking and pet sitting for neighbours in my free time. I love spending days down the field feeding and cuddling the animals, helping at clubs, seeing the sunsets and I am partial to a Susie cat snuggle!
Hi, I’m Sarah, practitioner at the ‘Field of Joy’.
I have been a qualified, practising teacher for over 15 years, working with children of all ages. I love the outdoors and was keen to bring this into my teaching, so gained an outdoor education qualification. With my own youngsters at home, I recognise the natural connection young people have with the outdoors and the huge benefits it can bring them. I see this in myself too and take great pleasure from working with the animals and calming environment at the Field of Joy.
I love animals and have a dog and two guinea pigs. In my free time I enjoy nothing better than walking for hours with my Labrador in the countryside. I also have a passion for crafts and enjoy spending my time printing, drawing or at my sewing machine creating something new.
