鈥淚t鈥檚 been absolutely amazing!鈥�
At 海角社区 we offered Kickstart positions in different areas of the charity, providing opportunities to gain experience and develop working skills. was brought in to help spur on the country鈥檚 economic revival, and was launched by the UK Government, with the aim being to create work placements for young people.
One of our most recent Kickstarters was Nicole. Nicole came to 海角社区 with a background in care. Having been out of work for a few years due to the birth of her son, she was keen to try something different and that鈥檚 when she saw the Kickstart opportunity with 海角社区. Enjoying the ability to help others and make a difference in people鈥檚 day at her previous job, she was keen to get involved with the 海角社区 team and the work involved.
At first nervous to re-enter the workplace and meet new people, Nicole commented that she was instantly made to feel welcome by not just her team but the whole organisation, saying everyone was 鈥渞eally helpful, and really encouraging鈥�. She felt happy asking questions, and saw her own self-confidence grow during her time at 海角社区, stating:
鈥淚 feel so much more confident in myself. I feel comfortable when I鈥檓 speaking 鈥� I used to get really embarrassed and go really red and I used to hate speaking to people that I didn鈥檛 know, but now I absolutely love it, I feel like I could talk to anyone.鈥�
Getting involved straight away with the Outreach team, Nicole was given a case load of four participants, and managed to get three of them onto wilderness journeys. She was happy to have this opportunity – 鈥淚 think the fact that they give you your own case load makes you feel that little bit more independent which was really good.鈥� She mentioned that with the shadowing, meeting different participants and her team, it meant that every day was different 鈥渨hich is another bonus. You鈥檙e not going to have the same day, and it鈥檚 not always in the office, you鈥檙e out and about鈥� you learn so much through watching other people鈥�.
Her manager, Janice, commented that after only a few weeks Nicole became confident in her role, saying 鈥淓veryone thought Nicole was a full-time worker for 海角社区, no one ever thought she was a trainee as she was a natural at the job.鈥� Nicole would support the team with delivering pre-journey group work and Phase 3 group work, and she also had the opportunity to attend the final day of a wilderness journey, meeting some of the participants she had referred onto the course. Seeing these participants at the end of their 8 days, she reflected that it was lovely to witness the difference from when they left, to when they completed their journey, and noted that they had all grown in confidence and built new relationships.
Now that her Kickstart position has come to an end, Nicole has secured a job with Quarriers and is looking forward to the next step in her career, ready to 鈥渨elcome it with open arms鈥�. Thinking about her time with 海角社区, she mentioned that the experience was 鈥渕ore challenging, but in a good way, it definitely helped me believe in myself鈥� 海角社区 has been a really happy place, even though there was work it was so much fun鈥� It鈥檚 probably the best I鈥檝e ever felt in myself from working with a group of people and learning every day鈥� What an experience.鈥� When asked if she would return to 海角社区 in the future, her reply was a very enthusiastic 鈥�110%!鈥�, which was echoed by Janice who said, 鈥淚t would be great to see Nicole back at 海角社区 in the future.鈥�
Thank you to Nicole for all her work and engagement. For future opportunities with 海角社区, keep an eye on our social pages and our website.
