I’ve spent most of my life standing beside people during their hardest moments. For twenty years, I worked in pastoral care in a secondary school, supporting young people who were navigating challenges that no child should have to face alone. Those years shaped me. They taught me about resilience, about listening without judgment, and about the extraordinary things that can happen when someone feels truly seen.

In 2011, I was honoured with a Pride of Britain Award for my work in the community. It was overwhelming, of course, but for me it wasn’t about the spotlight—it was a reminder that kindness matters, and that small acts of support can ripple far beyond what we ever expect.

That belief eventually grew into Project Dragonfly CIC. I created it because I wanted to build a space where people of all ages could reconnect with their voice, their creativity, and their sense of self. A place where stories could be shared safely, where healing could begin gently, and where no one had to feel invisible. Project Dragonfly is rooted in everything I’ve learned: trauma‑informed practice, compassion, and the understanding that empowerment often starts with being heard.

In 2025, I was awarded an MBE for services to the community. It was a deeply humbling moment—one that I share with every person who has walked through the doors of Project Dragonfly, every young person I supported in school, and every individual who trusted me with their story.

Today, I continued to lead Project Dragonfly with the same heart that guided me from the beginning. I believe in people. I believe in their strength, creativity, and their capacity to rise. And I’m committed to making sure they never have to rise alone.

Julie Oakley MBE

I always knew my forte was to work with children, which is why I dedicated my career to supporting children, young people, and their families. After qualifying in 1996 with a bilingual B.Ed (Hons) in Primary Education from Coleg y Drindod, Carmarthen, I taught in a variety of schools across Carmarthenshire and Swansea, specialising in languages, humanities, PSHE, and Health & Safety. My time in an assessment unit and with SEND pupils shaped my deep commitment to inclusion and to understanding the needs of neurodiverse learners.

Following a sabbatical from teaching, I became the leader of a Welsh‑medium preschool, where I enhanced learning experiences and achieved the setting’s first Circle of Excellence award. I later travelled internationally before moving to Bristol to work in a private day-care setting, helping to introduce the EYFS and working closely with pre‑school children and their families.

After starting my own family, I remained active in education through volunteering, PTA involvement, and serving as a parent governor with responsibilities for SEND and Health & Safety. I went on to support teenagers as an Exam Invigilator, ensuring students with access arrangements felt safe, calm, and able to succeed.

As a parent within a neurodivergent family, I recognised the lack of local support for families in Yate and Sodbury. This led to me connecting with Julie at Project Dragonfly CIC, and with her backing, along with Lana, we founded SEND Support in March 2024. The group now reaches more than 200 families, offering a safe, understanding community where no parent or carer must navigate their journey alone.

Anthea