SONIA HUTCHISON'S RESEARCH
Self-study
![CC 170317_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbd41e_ebcf5f33c2b445148ad464a4f9bcc2f6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_572,h_319,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_auto/CC%20170317_edited.jpg)
![Digital nomad adventure Alps.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbd41e_20323796d78442729cfefecd26a8c6dc~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_330,y_0,w_630,h_720/fill/w_101,h_115,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Digital%20nomad%20adventure%20Alps.jpg)
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I have been researching my practice since 2008 when I was introduced to Living Theory. In 2008 I worked as a Young Carers Manager, between 2009-2018 I worked as CEO at a Carers' Centre and now work as a digital nomad supporting charities with their development.
MY RESEARCH
How does my lived experience, from being ‘a child in care’ to being a leader of a carers’ charity, sustain the hope that I can be the change I want to see in the world?
CHILD
IN CARE
I was brought up in foster care from the age of 3 1/2. I have been researching my life as a child in care to understand why I have been able to challenge the dominant discourses on children in care by having a satisfying and useful life rather than the persistent narratives of children brought up in care having poor life outcomes such as prostitution, drug addiction, homelessness and prison.
![Video Me and Mum.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbd41e_4445aa6a673e4ec9bfc52c87ace45ec9~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_42,y_0,w_683,h_535/fill/w_115,h_90,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Video%20Me%20and%20Mum.jpg)
CARERS
I have worked running services for carers since 2005. A carer is someone who cares for family and friends who need extra support day-to-day. This might be because they are ill, disabled or frail. I have also acted as a carer for my mum who has had episodes of mental ill-health and substance misuse issues. I have researched how I work best with carers and as a carer myself.
![Picture of me working with young carers.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbd41e_4fddf1ef0b9144a78506a56bc74d8b63~mv2_d_3031_2273_s_2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_2904,h_2273/fill/w_115,h_90,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Picture%20of%20me%20working%20with%20young%20carers_.jpg)
CHARITY LEADERSHIP
I have worked in charity leadership since 2009. I was the chief executive of a Carers' Centre from 2009-2018 where, with a team of brilliant staff and volunteers and some amazing carers, we built a flourishing charity. I now work as a digital nomad, working mostly online to enable me to travel more. I support several fantastic charities helping them to gain funds and develop strategically to meet their visions to help more people have better lives. I am also a trustee and director of my own company Strawberry Life and develop and sell Assessments Made Easy a piece of software designed to improve the assessment processes for everyone involved.
![14957202905_b8c62bb989_b.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbd41e_c6be1bd52dc248389bc073ad29dfa2cc~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_938,h_664/fill/w_115,h_81,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/14957202905_b8c62bb989_b.jpg)
PRACTITIONER RESEARCHER
By practitioner I am including my life as practice, all facets of my life make me the person I am in a process of becoming. I am working on my own well-be(com)ing and I see my life as enquiry where I am researching my own progress to share with others who may be influenced to improve their own well-be(com)ing.
![Sonia leading pack drop 2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbd41e_b85f20724a8b4842918b9462a278550a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_77,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Sonia%20leading%20pack%20drop%202.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbd41e_72626f61717c4335b93557c1503e1ae0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_88,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/dbd41e_72626f61717c4335b93557c1503e1ae0~mv2.jpg)