Kim Bainbridge’s story begins in the Netherlands, where her working life took its first decisive step in the Dutch Army. That early experience shaped much of who she is today: disciplined, resilient, and quietly dependable. Alongside this, she also worked as a diving instructor, already showing a taste for adventure and a comfort in unfamiliar environments.
That curiosity soon carried her further afield. Between 2006 and 2008, Kim travelled through Asia and Australia, taking on a wide range of hands-on roles, from fruit picking and sheep herding to working in a wildlife sanctuary and on campsites. It was a period defined by hard work, adaptability, and a willingness to say yes to new challenges.
Her journey continued across Europe for a further nine years, where she worked as a holiday representative and campsite warden during the summer months to continue travelling in the winter. It was during this time that she met her husband, Jeffrey. From that point on, they became a working partnership as well as a personal one, continuing to travel and take on seasonal and live-in roles together, building a shared life rooted in flexibility, trust, and teamwork.
Eventually, they chose to settle in Newcastle upon Tyne, Jeffrey’s home city. It was here that Kim paused long enough to reflect on the thousands of photographs she had taken during her travels. What she saw disappointed her. The images did not capture the depth of her experiences or the feeling of the moments she remembered so vividly. Rather than accept that, she decided to learn how to do it properly.
What began as curiosity turned into commitment. Kim undertook a formal study in photography, progressing from a BA to a Master’s degree. During this time, she also worked in a residential care home, supporting individuals with declining mental health. This combination of creative study and care work further strengthened her patience, empathy, and attention to detail.
After graduating, she set out to build a career in photography. However, the rapidly changing landscape of smartphones and AI made this path increasingly difficult.
Instead of seeing this as a setback, Kim adapted once again.
She had often shared stories of her travels with friends and colleagues, who repeatedly told her she should write them down. When she finally did, the process came naturally. What began as a simple idea quickly grew into a full manuscript, resulting in her book, Life with a Backpack.
Today, Kim brings together all these experiences, her practical skills, her creative eye, her resilience, and her ability to connect with people. Whether maintaining a home, supporting others, or adapting to new environments, she approaches everything with the same steady professionalism and quiet determination that has guided her journey from the very beginning.
