Experience

Signpost Stockport for Carers

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Community Engagement Volunteer

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  - Engage a group of 200+ carers & former carers in virtual conversation (closed Facebook group) twice a week on different topics. - Once a week, provide a forum for people to talk about their 'Caring Life'. Write an engaging post which asks people about the 'highs & lows of caring', their previous week, future plans etc, all of which helps to limit feelings of isolation & increase inclusion. Keep the post upbeat, whilst also providing a safe space for people to share if they're struggling. Link to current events eg seasonal & bank holidays, changes in restrictions etc. Listen, emotionally support, talk to & signpost carers to additional resources / staff where necessary. - Once a fortnight, virtually chat with carers & formers carers about their creative hobbies eg knitting, sewing, drawing, painting, writing, photography, playing an instrument, gardening, cooking etc. Encourage them to share photos of their creative passion projects, ask questions & compliment their designs. Started this initiative so carers could engage in conversation & celebrate their creative makes, receive a boost in confidence, as well as inspire others to take up creative hobbies for positive well-being. Created the poster in Canva. - Once every 3 weeks, facilitate an 'In-Depth Conversation' on a different & difficult topic. Identified a need for this, spoke with the charity & was trusted to design & deliver it. Regularly consult service-users on what topics they'd like to talk about & use this to shape the service. Topics to date: Wisdom, Physical Health, Mental Health, Intimacy, Life After Death, Identity, Home Schooling, Lockdown, Dreams, In Loving Memory Of, Frustrations / Resentments around Caring, Male Carers, The Future. Converse with sensitivity & provide information about the charity's counselling service for any service-users who would like to talk confidentially & in more detail with a professional about any issues they've been affected by. Show less



Enact Solutions Limited

• United Kingdom
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Freelance Writer, Researcher

  • Oct 2014 - Present

  Enact Solutions Highlights: - Blogging (Wordpress) for Enact Solutions on a number of topics including 'mental health, resilience & wellbeing', 'diversity & inclusion', 'inclusive leadership', 'unconscious bias', 'bullying, harassment & incivility', & 'productive conversations'. - Consulted on Enact Solutions' interactive training workshops, recommending areas for improvement. - 'Learning Excellence Award' FINALIST! Wrote a 1500 word application submitting Enact Solutions' livestream training for a 'Learning Excellence Award'. Designed an infographic & poster, wrote a screenplay & consulted on video drafts as part of the visual application. - Researched & co-wrote a play about the NHS, which toured to 2000+ students at colleges around London & the SW, inspiring students to consider a career in the NHS. - Filmed & edited a promotional short film. Dave D Events Highlights - Consulted on DDE' marketing. Wrote a report evaluating the company's existing marketing package. Created e-newsletters (Mailchimp), in line with branding and wrote social media content promoting DDE products and services to hundreds of clients. Co-ran events with guest lists of up to 450 people. Other - Worked as a school guide on the National Commemoration of the Centenary of the Battle of Somme, a collaborative project between the UK & French governments, in partnership with the Royal British Legion & CommonWealth War Graves Commission. Worked a part of a team leading 1300 pupils from local primary & secondary schools around the 'Experience Field', which had a wide range of historical experts & exhibitors, raising awareness about the Battle of Somme, the part it played in WW1 on the front & at home, how it impacted people’s lives during & after the war. Welcomed 7926 visitors to the Experience Field and 12,000 people to the Remembrance Concert. Show less



Carer

• Carer

  • Sep 2014 - Aug 2018

  - Took a career break to care for two relatives with life-threatening & life-limiting illnesses, disabilities & addiction. - Gained a maturity & life experience many people will not face / will experience at a much later age, which further developed my skills in project management, communication, negotiation & financial management to name a few. Learnt how to persevere through considerable setbacks. High degree of empathy. - Communicated & liaised with NHS health professionals in intensive care, high dependency, general wards & clinics. Advocated on relatives' behalf & took detailed medical notes. Administered 4 x daily injections & oversaw medication. - Provided personal care: bathed, dressed, cooked, cleaned and looked after relatives' physical & mental well-being. - Navigated the benefits system; completed 30 pages of paperwork & secured Disability Attendance Allowance & a Blue Badge. - Accepted Power of Attorney. Consulted a financial adviser & solicitor to best manage relatives' finances & ensure important legal paperwork was in order. Managed their finances & life admin. - First hand experience caring for people with sight loss, type 1 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, sepsis, mental ill health, alcohol addiction, liver cirrhosis & hearing loss. - Balanced freelance projects at the same time as caring & to keep my skills current. Show less



Arts Club Theatre Company

• Vancouver, Canada

• Moved to Canada to gain experience working on a different continent, travel&pursue creative projects

  • Sep 2013 - Sep 2014

  - Moved to Canada for one year to explore working on a different continent, immerse myself in a different culture, connect with family, travel and pursue creative interests. During my time away I... - Volunteered, then worked at the Arts Club (the largest theatre company in Western Canada with three venues). Analysed marketing campaigns in Mail2TM, published reviews online, sold theatre tickets, liaised with VIP patrons at press events and volunteered on fundraising campaigns. - Wrote a play, several screenplays, filmed & edited a short film - which has been screened & won awards at several festivals around the world. - Travelled to Alaska, across Canada and US National Parks. Saw the most incredible, breathtakingly, beautiful glaciers, mountain ranges, landscapes and cities. Show less



Kingston University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer Manager - Projects

  • May 2012 - Aug 2013

  - Recruited, registered, trained, supported & managed 400 volunteers, in 500+ roles, giving 3,700 hours to charity. - Built relationships & strategic partnerships with 50+ charities, schools & community groups across Greater London. - Project managed 22 wide-ranging local & global volunteer projects. Increased student-led projects by 175%, from 4 to 11 projects, by improving the resource portfolio, maximising engagement & supporting volunteer leaders. - Ran 2 large-scale underwater cleans of the River Thames. Brought in 10 partners including Kingston Council, Environment Agency & Thames 21. Managed 70 volunteers & removed 5 tonnes of rubbish. - Rewrote the Volunteer Strategy to include SMART objectives & KPIs. Analysed & evaluated projects, processes & ran focus groups to ensure continuous tailoring, improvement & sustainability of project portfolio. - Created a Volunteer Ambassador Scheme framework & 3 year expansion plan, to increase engagement & promotion of the service. - Responsible for £60K+ budget, researched funding sources & submitted bids. Identified the need to keep funders engaged so designed a reporting structure evidencing volunteer activity, growth in engagement, impact & objectives achieved & project costs. - Created & delivered a bespoke volunteer training programme, ran taster sessions during national volunteer weeks, organised socials and hosted two annual Volunteer Awards ceremonies. Gave speeches at high profile public engagement events to large groups. http://bit.ly/1LU9RT7 - Committed to best practice in volunteering, sharing this via the WiSCV network. - Implemented a new digital platform and volunteer database, which tailored to both volunteer and charity needs, streamlined administrative duties and saved 10 staff hours per week. - Line-managed two administrative assistants, designed an induction programme, interviewed & recruited staff. Initiated & encouraged cross-working working groups for staff development & retention. Show less



The University of Salford

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Volunteer And Community Engagement Assistant

  • Feb 2011 - May 2012

  - Based on strong performance, my responsibilities were expanded to support the Volunteer and Community Engagement department. Completed Volunteer Management training.- Key member of the Volunteer Strategy working group - collaborated with staff across multiple university departments, collated statistics and helped prepare the paperwork for and achieved the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) quality mark.- Registered, trained and supported 300 volunteers. Processed volunteer records, brokered volunteer opportunities and supported 5 large-scale volunteer projects (environment, mentoring, homelessness etc).- Created and implemented a Volunteer & Community Engagement social media strategy to socially engage with volunteers, charities and communities in line with branding guidelines. Set up a Volunteer & Community Engagement Facebook Page, Twitter, Blog & E-newsletter, wrote and published content regularly. Show less

• Careers Information and Marketing Assistant

  • Aug 2010 - May 2012

  - Based on strong performance, graduate internship was extended and I was promoted to Careers Information Marketing Assistant.- Checked student CVs and cover letters and gave advice on how to improve these, both electronically and in person.- Designed and delivered skills development workshops to hundreds of university students, helping them develop the necessary skills for the workplace environment.- Created and implemented a social media strategy to socially engage with audiences, in line with branding guidelines (Facebook, Twitter, Blog), wrote and populated content.- Shortlisted, interviewed and supervised three student interns.- Co-Secretary of Salford University's Staff Women Action Network (SSWAN) - took minutes at meetings, advocated SSWAN issues to Vice-Chancellor, updated marketing materials, organised events, and supported the Chairs. Show less

• Graduate Internship

  • Feb 2010 - Aug 2010

  - Greeted students and graduates at the Careers & Employability reception, provided and signposted to relevant information, booked appointments and liaised with colleagues.- Proofed and maintained career information guides.- Organised and took Careers & Employability out on campus. Promoted the service to the student body across multiple sites.



Ignition Stage

• Stage Manager, Assistant Lighting Technician

  • Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

  Liaised with actors, director, producer, designers and Front of House staff at various venues on tour. Supervised “get ins” and “get outs” following Health and Safety practices. Made and updated a detailed account of all blocked movements on the script during the rehearsal process. Sourced and responsible for set, props and costumes on tour. Completed paperwork for PRS for Music rights. Cued and assisted the technician with the lighting and sound each performance. Operated these at The Lowry when the lead technician was off sick. Show less



Xtrax

• Arts Festival Administrator

  • 2009 - 2009

  Organised ticketing and publicity materials for 69 events, at 8 venues, for a festival lasting 3.5 days which promoted disability and diversity in the arts, with over 400+ delegates attending. Organised ticketing and publicity materials for 69 events, at 8 venues, for a festival lasting 3.5 days which promoted disability and diversity in the arts, with over 400+ delegates attending.



The Tea Rooms, Font Bar, The Slug and Lettuce

• Southport and Manchester

• Bartender, Cocktail Maker and Waitress

  • 2003 - 2009

  Worked on the floor and behind the bar of a busy city centre establishment, a cocktail bar and a high-end village wine bar. Operated the till, handling upwards of £2000 per shift. Provided excellent customer service under pressurised conditions. Worked in teams of 3-30 people and communicated with each other in order to deliver a high quality service. Worked on the floor and behind the bar of a busy city centre establishment, a cocktail bar and a high-end village wine bar. Operated the till, handling upwards of £2000 per shift. Provided excellent customer service under pressurised conditions. Worked in teams of 3-30 people and communicated with each other in order to deliver a high quality service.