finnbar15

In 1998, when aged 5, I moved to Lifespan Community, a housing cooperative of 19 houses and around 40 people (children and adults), with very few mains services - (no electricity, no gas and one water tap). One of my responsibilities being the oldest was to maintain the water supply for our family of six (mum, dad and three brothers).
When we arrived, the houses were derelict so as you can imagine helping renovating was a job for everyone. We lived and travelled in a 1972 renovated horse box and I also helped my dad with her maintenance.
Inside the truck me, my dad and a friend installed a 12-volt electrical system for lights in the living room and kitchen. This power was held in deep cycle batteries charged variously by wind, photovoltaic cells (solar panels) and a split charger when the truck was running.
In 2001/02 we began to travel abroad. We went to France and Spain via the Pyrenees, crossing near Barcelona. I also helped my mum to plan routes on motorways, A-roads and B-roads, and decide if mountain roads were to steep for our old truck.
I learned some Spanish and French while I was playing with the local kids, in a sparsely populated region of the mountains, for a period of about 3 months on 2 occasions. Available water could only be drawn weekly 5 miles away on the other side of the mountain. We made all our own bread, and learned how to plan for treats and ration them out between fortnightly trips to market.
In 2003 I started playing rugby league for a local club at under 11’s level.
In the same year I also helped my mum and dad do up a room for me and my brothers to live in. I helped to install a power system in our house using an inverter, to change 12-volt dc to 240-volt ac domestic voltage, using a simple 4 socket ring main. From being about 9 years old I have always helped to cook for my family, and about 5 years ago I started to cook by myself. When I was 12 I decided to try cooking, budgeting and shopping for myself, I have done this for a month at a time two or three times a year since 2005.
In 2004 I won Coaches Trainer Of The Year Award for rugby. I also began playing Tuba in Hade Edge Brass Band (Junior Band). I still play Tuba at Hade Edge, I also play for KMS Holme Valley Senior Wind band and KYBB (Kirklees Youth Brass Band), we perform regular concerts.
In 2005 I decided to visit my aunties in Brighton. I organised train schedules, bus and tube across London, and funded the journey myself. I have done this journey at least once a year since.
I also began to provide childcare for a 3 month old boy where we lived, for six hours on a regular basis. I changed his nappy, made him food, entertained him and put him to bed. He is now 4 years old and I still regularly babysit him and his younger brother.
In 2006, I worked with a friend setting up and lighting a community event. I maintained the system and checked the power was safe. I still do this work at times and the events can be outdoors as well as in.
I have also been involved in a family event at Easter where I have organised egg hunts (which includes making up clues), egg and spoon race, sack and three legged races. I have done this every year since.
In summer 2007 I passed a course to become a rugby league referee, as the team I had played for had folded two months earlier.
At home I helped erect major scaffolding in two places at Lifespan. One to “rake out” and point the gable end of a house, the other to mount P.V. cells on a house about 60-ft high. I also helped at work weekends raking leaves, chopping wood and gardening.
2007 was a very eventful time for me, I moved out of the space with my brothers, into a room of my own. I stripped and re-plastered the walls, put up plaster board, laid a floor and hung a door. I decorated the ceiling, walls and put up shelves. I also installed my own electrical system.
In 2008 I was offered work experience at Optimum Design U.K. Ltd Wigan, Lancashire for 8 weeks, I was independent and away from home. I arranged to be back home for band practice on Friday evening, and would arrange transport to and from the train station to be back in Wigan for Sunday evening. I worked 8.30am to 5.30pm every day except friday, when I finished at lunch to get back for band.
I also gained Outstanding Contribution Award for Hade Edge Brass Band Junior Band.
In 2009 I started a BTEC First Diploma In Music Technology which I completed in June 2010.
2011. I enjoy swimming regularly, reading books, gaming and playing music on my Tuba.