Charlotte (Founder and CEO)

Hello!

I am from a rural village in Kent, with high ambitions to help and support children achieve their full potential.  I've always been a keen swimmer and I am really excited to have set up Likkle Swimmers, which has such potential for the children in the Treasure Beach community. The changes I've already seen are so rewarding and I can't wait to carry on working within this amazing community. In my spare time, I really enjoy going swimming, taking part in yoga, cooking or travelling the world! 

I am also a graduate, achieveing a degree in Healthcare Play Specialism, currently working at an amazing childrens hospital helping to support children through their kidney transplants and hospital admissions. I am DBS checked and also hold a peadiatric first aid qualification. 

Keith (Co-Founder and Finance Manager)

Psst! (My best Patois for hey there!!)

Having spent 17 years in the City, 6 years looking after my own business and 14 years in a large private family orientated UK company, I'm proud to be associated with Likkle Swimmers. Being passionate about sport and the qualities & skills it brings to the development of young people, I look forward to supporting the structure and finance arrangements of Likkle Swimmers.....I'll be volunteering as well!!

From our story comes our mission; we aim to reduce the incidence of drowning by providing swimming lessons and basic water safety techniques that could help save their lives and those of others. Who knows where this journey will end but our challenge is to make this basic life skill accessible to all primary school children in Jamaica...but we need to start somewhere; so help us in growing and keeping  the story alive. Tanks (thank you)

Sonia

In 2002 I completed a level 3 diploma in nursery nursing and then went onto completing a CIBTAC diploma in Beauty Therapy and Make Up. Whilst I studied, I nannied with various families and had the experience of travelling with one. Once qualified I worked in the beauty industry for three years and volunteered for the charity 'look good feel better' for women with cancer. I thouroughly enjoyed my Nannying jobs and helping people in need through my beauty work.

In 2006 I had the greatest opportunity given to me to work in the orphanges, hopsitals and childrens hospice in Romania for 3 months. This was one of the best experinces of my life. When I returned, I found a job on my doorstep in Kent, at a childrens home for abused and traumatised children. I work for the charity Childhood First and have done for 10 years helping to inspire Young lives, and working my way up the ladder to deputy team leader and then Clinical Educational Support Assistant. Whilst working here I have become a mummy of 2 and have qualified in hypnotherapy and advanced counselling skills, a level 4 in children and education in the workforce. I am also currently completing a level 5 in UKCP Child Psychotherapeutic counsellor and a level 6 in supervision training.

I am very excited to be part of the team at Likkle Swimmers and helping however I can to help these little ones achieve their goals and stay safe.

Camilla

Beccy (Teacher in 2018, 2019 and 2020)

Hiya! 

My name is Beccy. I'm a primary school teacher by trade. I live and work in Hackney in London. 

I first met Charlotte in 2011 when we were both studying at university in Bristol. Since then we have become great friends and I was very excited to hear about the wonderful charity she was setting up. 

I first visited Treasure Beach in August 2017 during the first year Likkle Swimmers ran. I fell in love in the place and the people instantly. 

I am really excited to be going back this year as a swimming teacher!

Ewan (Teacher in 2017)

Hi,

My name is Ewan Kimsey, I am originally from West Wales however I currently am studying Ocean Exploration at Plymouth University. When I first heard about Likkle Swimmers I thought it was a great idea, and was very keen to be a part of it. It is a great opportunity to help children learn a very valuable life lesson; swimming ,which is so important considering where they live. In my free time I enjoy participating in numerous activities such as swimming and mountain biking and I am a keen rugby player and fan. I am extremely excited and proud to be affiliated with such a worthwhile charity and can’t wait to see where it takes us.

Junior (Lifeguard in 2017, Teacher in 2018 and 2021)

Junior started the program with Charlotte as a lifeguard in 2017 and showed a massive interest and passion in swim teaching. He was the person that made her realise that they should train up the locals as swim teachers. The hard work and time he put in was inspiing and the reason it has grown in this direction is with his support. 

Freddy (Teacher in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022)

Freddy- "My birth name is Anfernee Stewart, but most people know me as Freddy. I'm 20 years of age. I was born and raised in Treasure Beach, my favourite sport is football but swimming has also been apart of my life from when i was a little boy until now. One of my best memories of swimming was when my team was placed first in the Jakes Kiddies Triathlon, while swimming in that race was one of the best feelings ever, just being able to move all your muscles at once is truly astonishing. Now in todays life most litle kids are afraid of the water to swim, thats why i tuly admire what the Likkle Swimmers club is doing, they help those kids to conquer the fear whilst having fun at the same time. It would be my honor as a swimming teacher to help with the kids of the Likkle Swimmers program."

Charlotte- "Freddy has been incredible over the last couple of years, showing huge passion and always has lots of new ideas. He is particularly good with our highest level swimmers and our babies. Freddy has built some really strong friendhsips with the children and they adores him. We are so happy to have him as part of the team and hope he will stay with us for a long time. 

Javin (Teacher in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022)

Javin- "Hello! My name is Javin Ritchie. I am a 21 year old lifeguard who is about to be a swiming teacher for Likkle Swimmers.

I like being around kids and see kids have fun and grow which I've notice Likkle Swimmers have been helping with. I love what the Likkle Swimmers program is all about becuase it helps our younger generation so that they'll be able to help themselves and others if out in the position. I'm proud to be a part of Likkle Swimmers and helping our kids grow."

Charlotte- "Here we have Javin, another of our incredible teachers! Javin has been really confident from the start, and is always very gentle with our new beginners and Stage 1's, they love him! Javin also helps with finances when we aren't in the country, as he is training as a secondary maths teacher. We are so gratefu for Javin and all of the hard work that he puts in, we can rely on him for anything!"

Sanjay (Teacher in 2018 and 2019)

Sanjay actually found me on Facebook and wrote me a beautiful messaging explaining why he would want to work with us. His passion for helping children learn to swim really shone through, and ever since he joined the team he has been a delight! Sanjay has a lovely calm manner with the children. Sanjay also works at Jakes as a chef, so is multi talented!

Janoi (Teacher 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022)

Janoi- "My name is Janoi Elliott and I am a 22year old certified lifeguard who is also a swimming teacher for the likkle swimmers.

I have a passion for helping kids and the likkle swimmers has been assisting me with my love for kids. They have been fulfilling my passion."

Charlotte- "Janoi is a valued member of our team. He is always so willing to work, and has such a kind, gentle, calm and friendly personality.  He will always offer to help with whatever we need, and nothing is ever a problem. Janoi started off as a very shy teacher, but has gained so much confidence!"

Shadane (Lifeguard in 2018, Teacher in 2019, 2021 and 2022)

Shadane- "My name is Shadane Gordon, I was born and raised in Billys Bay. In my spare time I enjoy spear fishing and also i'm a part of the Likkle Swimmers group. It's an honor to teach kids to swim and I enjoy being around them because they are fun to be around so Charlotte I am grateful to be on your team."

Charlotte- "Shadane worked with us for our second year, and missed out on our first teacher training sessions, but has been quick to learn everything! Shadane is always having a laugh with the children, but is also a gentle giant! He is really good with the older children, and does additional lifeguarding at the pool at the weekends with Javin."

Connie (Lifeguard in 2018, Teacher in 2018, 2021 and 2022)

Connie is our teacher with the most energy! Always laughing and always the loudest, the children love watching him in the water. Connie is excellent with our smallest swimmers at playing games, and making everything lots of fun.

Dajay (Lifeguard in 2018, Teacher in 2018, 2021 and 2022)

Another teacher to introduce is Dajay! Dajay has grown in confidence so much as a teacher since he started. He is really good at 1 to 1 teaching if a student needs a little extra support with learning a stroke.

Shane (Teacher in 2021 and 2022)

Shane- 'Hi my name is Shane Parchment but my friends call me Shay P. I am a 26 year old lifeguard from Treasure Beach, born and raised locally. I have saved more lives than I can count, also I have been in love with the water for as long as I can remember, teaching and sharing important knowledge on how to be confident as well as responsible when swimming which is why it gives me great pleasure in saying that Likkle Swimmers has been one of the most important programs I have seen on the south coast of Jamaica. Teaching anyone to swim, you've passed on vital knowledge and the way the vital knowledge is then passed onto others is something contagious. It is with honor that this opportunity hs been bestowed upon me this year to be a Likkle Swimmers teachers! I will do my best always to ensure the knowledge I have posessed over the years is shared.'

Charlotte- 'Shane is new to the team this year. We are very pleased to have him on board. He is a lifegaurd at Jakes hotel. Shane has experience in teaching adults to swim already, and so we can learn from each other as he joins the team. A very kind soul to have as part of the family.

Everton (Teacher in 2021 and 2022)

Everton 'Hi my name is Everton Parchment and I am 31 years old. I am from Treasure Beach, I work at Sparkling waters villa and I am a former lifeguard. I have become a lifeguard because I want to help and teach people about the water. In my spare time, I love swimming, spearfishing, listening to music. I always wanted to become a part of the Likkle Swimmers group. Charlotte and Beccy called me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of the group. I love teaching the kids to swim and having fun at the same time teaching so I'm happy to be part of this Likkle Swimmers family.'

Charlotte- 'Everton was also new to the team in 2021. He found a love for teaching our babies, probably because he is so calm and gentle himself! We are really excited to have him as part of the team. Always early for work!'