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Food, fitness and helping people – that’s athlete and assistant psychologist Gemma Dawkins’ mantra.
When she’s not working in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), she’s a busy sports woman, having competed for the island at six Island Games in athletics.
She also has a particular interest in autism, having completed a post-graduate course and research project on mentoring focused around the condition.
Today, 26-year-old Gemma is extending her helping hand even further – by letting the island know what five things she would do to improve life for everyone...
Let's preserve the beauty of our island rather than building so many developments and offices.
Pictured: Jersey at its best - untouched by offices. That's what Gemma would like to maintain.
I feel we are destroying Jersey’s natural beauty and taking away the very reason why people should be so grateful for living here.
Services and people should come together rather than working against or in isolation. Seeing that we are such a small island, we could really make a difference to people's lives if as a community we came together more and really listened to what people really want so that we developed better services to help people.
Pictured: It's time for the authorities to really listen to what the people want - Gemma says that would be better for everyone.
I would also really like Jersey to change its priorities in terms of where the money is going and what is needed to improve the quality of life for people. Mental health illnesses are on the increase and unfortunately there just aren't enough resources to meet the demands or needs. This is something that I am very passionate about and that I see closely working as an assistant psychologist at CAMHS.
I would absolutely love to see more things for kids to do that don’t involve money! I think it is so important to channel kids into really making the most out of their lives.
Pictured: A good time shouldn't depend on the amount of money in your pocket - children need more free opportunities to have fun, Gemma argues.
I think if there were more opportunities to use the local talent that we have to channel our future generation into more rewarding hobbies it would really make a difference.
I think one of the biggest issues in Jerseyis the house prices and cost of rent. This is an issue that I think is causing a lot of stress for islanders.
Pictured: Gemma thinks that choosing a home should be exciting, not full of stress due to unattainable prices.
I find myself sitting there wondering whether I would ever be able to afford to have a house or a family.
Being from such a small island, I feel more could be done to help support sportspeople who have to travel off island a lot for competitions. They have to invest so much money into being able to receive the support and training that athletes get in the UK.
Pictured: Gemma would like to see the community rally around talented individuals, not just sports teams.
Unfortunately, businesses in jersey tend to want to sponsor teams rather than individuals. I feel that this is a real shame as we are preventing people from achieving their potential.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not those of Bailiwick Express.
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