Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards: Tammy’s home education business

Can you tell us a little about your CF journey so far? 

I was in hospital a lot as a kid, like many CF’ers. Since 18, I’ve been on and off the transplant list, and I went back on the list about five years ago. Then COVID-19 hit so I made the choice to come off it because the risks didn’t really outweigh the benefits at that time.  

Four years ago, I started Kaftrio and it has made a massive difference. To be really brutal, and I don’t like talking like this, I don't think I'd be here now without it. It's given me the get up and go that I needed. I still have loads of treatments to do - about two and a half hours a day - but now I can do some in the morning, and then forget about it all day and then do my next lot at night.  

As soon as I started taking it, I felt the physical benefits. But I did struggle with sleep, depression and anxiety, which I never have before. I’ve had therapy and it worked really well. I’m feeling good. I’ve started my own business and I’m back at work. I've got a little boy – well, a big boy – Charlie. He’s 17 and learning to drive. Life is pretty good!  

Can you tell us about your home education business? 

I've always worked in schools and then when I went on the transplant list the second time, which is roughly five years ago, I was advised to stop working because schools can be full of infections and snotty noses!  

When I had started to feel better, I really wanted to do something with kids and those with special needs. I started working with a family who had children who were home educated, and I just loved it! Absolutely loved it! 

I decided to start a business, which is called Education for Keeps, and I've got three families who I work with now and it's just wonderful. We’re not ruled by schools and budgets; we learn on the go and it’s brilliant. We’ve just done a Duke of Edinburgh and Prince’s Trust award with two of my kids!

I try and do as many recognised qualifications that I can with the children which don't involve sitting at a desk or a computer.  

I’d like to say I owe all my success to my wonderful CF team at St James hospital In Leeds and the support I’ve had from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. I couldn't have built my family and grown my own business without them.   

How does working for yourself help you balance work and your CF? 

It’s good because it fits around my treatment so I don't work loads of hours, but I work the hours I can manage. 

When I was working in a school you were always scared to take time off for your health; you didn't want to let all your other colleagues down because their workload would increase if you weren’t there. 

But now I don’t feel like I’m letting anybody down. If I’ve planned a session but am poorly, I can rearrange it. It’s adaptable like that and I don't stress over work at all. I feel it can fit around me.  

What led you to apply for a Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Award?  

My social worker at the hospital told me about the awards. It's not really something I would have ever gone for unless somebody encouraged me to do it. You always feel a bit cheeky because the Trust had helped me before with grants. But I’m so glad I went for it! 

What do you think are the benefits to working for yourself? 

I do get job satisfaction seeing the children thrive and their confidence develop. Some of the children, they've gone from sitting in their bedrooms, not coming out - one little boy hadn’t been out of his house for 18 months - just really slowly his confidence increased and he is doing really well.  

What are the challenges? 

I think a lot of it's a confidence thing. From going from being ill all the time, and my life just revolved around hospital, and then getting that lease of life again and you’re released into the big world again.  

What are you planning to use the grant money for? 

I’ve used a little bit of it so far. There’s a shop in York called Totally Awesome and they sell really unusual games and activities which suit children with alternative needs so I’ve bought some of them.  

I'm going to spend some of the money on a good picture phone because I have to document everything I do and liaise with the council to check that we’re using our education budget in the right way. 

I'm also going to hopefully do a mental health course. 

What are your future plans for the business?  

I think there’s a massive need for what I do in York, so I’d really love to have grown and possibly employed others.