Bill Jennings founded Time & Space because he wanted participants to have the opportunity to experience a life-changing moment. Like he did when he was a teenager.
I was a nervous and awkward Year 12 student, sent on a combined camp by my school, De La Salle. It was one of those camps where the whole idea was to take you out of your comfort zone. You had to meet and talk to strangers. The idea scared me, but I bit the bullet and had a go.
An older bloke called Pat Browne was in one of my small groups. He was a teacher from CBC St Kilda where he was something of a legend. Especially for his ability to mentor young men. I found out later that when Pat would walk the school on yard duty, boys would come up and chat with him one-by-one. They knew to give each other time and space when they were hanging out with Pat.
I got to know Pat on the camp, had a few chats with him. Then he was chosen to write my affirmation. We didn’t get to read these brief notes until we got home. I’ll always remember opening Pat’s envelope at my kitchen table and reading these words:
Bill, when I met you, I knew I had encountered a philosopher and a poet.
Everyone needs the chance to receive that kind of specific affirmation. To be shown what we can’t see in ourselves.
Pat’s affirmation set my life’s course. And I’ve devoted my working life to creating situations where kids – and their parents and carers – can experience the liberation of having someone see and appreciate the unique gift they bring to the world.
I called my organisation Time & Space because I found that people don’t have much of these commodities in their lives anymore. So I provide the time and space for conversations, for listening to each other’s stories, and for considering the special qualities we see in the person to whom we’re talking.
Pat said I was a philosopher. Well, here are a few of my simple philosophies: life’s about turning up with each other and being present. If you muck up, say sorry. And trust that people are going to remember the good stuff. Like I did with Pat.
Reading Pat’s affirmation was a cornerstone moment for me. My hope for Time & Space is to bring us back to our cornerstone moments, while creating an atmosphere in which we might experience one. My approach may not be earth-shattering, but I think it can be life-changing.
Bill Jennings
Founder, Time & Space
