Jo is an occupational therapist with twenty years of experience, specializing in helping people with neurological conditions regain their independence. During this time, she completed her PhD research and developed an innovative vocational rehabilitation service for people with Multiple Sclerosis. A supportive community is an essential element of any rehabilitation journey.

Jo’s personal desire for community grew as she and her husband Jez had three children. For the past ten years, they have shared their home with many amazing people who have come to join their family for different periods of time. It was while serving as a Governor at her children’s school, Jo started questioning whether school was allowing children, and the hard-working teachers in it, to flourish. In 2017, Jo and Jez deregistered their children from mainstream school for a year of home education. However, they found that their children experienced a renewed passion for learning, rediscovered their creativity, and became energised and curious. They have not gone back.

The importance of community was even more evident, and slowly their home ed network grew. In 2021, Streams Education was founded. Throughout this time, Jo has explored different learning opportunities within Bristol for the local community. She is now working on opening the first Streams Learning Hub which will be a co-working space for young people to gather, learn and connect with online and global providers of education as well as in person workshops and events. It will open in September 2023 and run as a three day a week pilot.

In her free time, Jo loves spending time with family and friends, walking her dog, cooking creatively, and doing yoga. She is passionate about community and collaboration, and this passion is at the heart of Streams.