Svenya Haffenden - Education Manager for The Wave Project
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What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Professionally- I truly believe that if I could bottle up what we do at The Wave Project and give it to everyone, it would make the world a better place 😊
Personally- My little family! We didn't have the easiest of experiences on our road to parenthood. I'm so proud of my husband and I for having the courage to pursue our dream of having children.
2. What motivates you to do what you do?
I have always known that I wanted to work within an industry that supports young people. Physical activity, being outside and the link this has to both physical and emotional wellbeing is something I am a huge advocate of and when someone mentioned The Wave Project it felt like all the stars aligned! I get so much out of helping others and I feel very grateful to do a job I love!
3. What do you owe your mother?
She was hugely thoughtful and conscientious. She had a wicked sense of humour, was silly and didn't take life too seriously off of the back of surviving cancer at 18 years of age. She was one of the bravest people I know.
My Mum passed away when I was 20 years old. The experience of losing her to cancer fairly young, has taught me resilience and empathy. She wouldn't mind me saying that it certainly wasn't to cook!! I feel grateful to call this my home as she loved Cornwall and it was always a dream of hers to join her parents here. I miss her lots.
4. Which women inspire you and why?
My Mum and Grandma have been huge inspirations. My mum was a teacher and my Grandma a headteacher, so teaching is in my genes!
Dr Margot Sunderland fascinates me. Learning about her work for children's mental health and attachment in particular on the Trauma Informed Schools course has been invaluable.
Jessica Ennis-Hill's ability to get back to Olympic standard after becoming a Mother has also been such an inspiration. I don't know how she did it! All the women in my life inspire me one way or another. I'm very fortunate to be surrounded by so many wonderful ladies- shout out to them all!
5. What are you reading?
I LOVE reading and on holiday I used to be able to fly through 4 or 5 books, but it's taken me over a year and I've still not finished it... The Science of Parenthood – Margot Sunderland and Jaak Panksepp
6. What gender barriers have you had to hurdle?
Both the sport and surfing industry are renowned for being male dominated. I've been really fortunate to never (knowingly!) experience any gender barriers. I would say that I put pressure on myself and the quote "we expect women to work as if we aren't parents and to parent as if we don't work" is something that resonates with me at the moment. Putting my daughter in to nursery and having to switch from Mummy mode to work mode and back is still something I struggle with a few months in.
7. How can the world be made a better place for women?
I'm not one for receiving them but compliments go a huge way! I was SO chuffed to receive this nomination, it meant a huge amount to me that someone took time out of their day to let me know. So, tell that stranger you walk past that they're doing an amazing job; you love their outfit; they're like super woman juggling everything etc etc and SMILE 😊
8. Describe your perfect day?
Down at the beach with my family and friends, soaking up some sunshine and getting some vitamin sea!
9. We've noticed there really aren't many (if any) statues of women around Cornwall - who would you like to see remembered?
Helen Glover- I think anyone who can navigate being a Mum AND getting back to the Olympics is a heroine of mine!
My boss most recently shared the story of Emily Hobhouse when I discussed this nomination with him. Once I (finally) finish the aforementioned books I'll be reading a book about her named "That bloody woman". I can't wait!
10. Give us a tip?
Speak to yourself as if you were speaking to a friend!
About Svenya:
“I have lived in Cornwall for 6 years, it has always been a dream of mine, as my Grandparents lived in West Cornwall. I spent as much time here as humanly possible growing up. Being by the ocean is my happy place!
My undergraduate degree is in Sports Development and Coaching, whereby I completed a placement at Penwith School Sports Partnership and went on to do a PGCE in secondary PE with a primary specialism. My placements were also down here in Cornwall. I have previously worked as a secondary school teacher, head of department and then in sports development when I relocated to Cornwall.
I begun working at The Wave Project as North Cornwall Coordinator delivering Surf Therapy, then moved across to the Education Coordinator and now the Education Manager. We deliver Beach School, Surf Back to School and most recently Wave Rangers to children and young people facing adverse childhood experiences.
I have been married to my husband for 7 years (though we've been together for 18 years!). Last year, we welcomed our little rainbow baby girl, Orla and we also have a fur baby called Bula. I've found being pregnant, giving birth and being a first-time Mummy during the pandemic hugely anxiety inducing but has made me even more grateful for the time in blue or green spaces!”