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Been at work for a month now, and still enjoying it, although to be honest sometimes it doesn't seem much like work. I've been going around with my colleague meeting different tenants' groups, attending their meetings, drinking tea at sheltered housing schemes and did the first of a gentle exercise class we arranged for them. If we get bored doing paper work we find someone to visit. It is very much about building relationships, especially as many tenants see the council as the big bad wolf who is responsible for everything that goes wrong, so this isn't a waste of time.
I went to a 'Making money count' class with a view to putting it on as a free training session to offer to our tenants as we think a good number of them will experience greater difficulties once the bedroom tax and universal credit come into force. I've also designed a preparing for interview course which goes through the whole process, culminating with a mock interview where they put everything they learn into practice. As many have not had a job at all, we are hoping this will help them to get interviews, and hopefully a job as well. The trainer we have in mind was very enthusiastic and is going to prepare a 3 session course and deliver it. I should have patented the idea, as she is freelance, and is planning on offering it to other organisations I think.
I've also been shopping for equipment for the allotment group, attended one of their classes on moon planting and biodiversity, and tomorrow I'm meeting someone from the Sure Start Children's Centre about setting up a community allotment for hopefully 10 families. I had looked at volunteering to support 5 families in growing their own through the link that Zazen posted, but thought it might be a bit much with a new job. Now I might get 10 families to mentor, as I don't think they have much experience. I just need to convince my manager that it is time well spent. We are hoping to get some of the fathers involved as many do not participate in any of the other activities put on at the centres, so I think he'll go for it.
Another plus is the flexi time. Even having to make up hours from getting in late due to the snow, I managed to save up enough time to take a day off today. I can have one per 4 week period as long as it fits in with others in the department of course. We also need to make sure our phones are covered, so we need to negotiate with the others if we want to go early.
Although I don't get as much money as when I was teaching, I've loved getting home and not having to continue working in the evenings. I'm sure I'm probably still in the 'honeymoon' stage, but I've successfully got through my one month probation interview, just another 5 to go to see if I get taken on permanently. If I have to work (and financially I do), this seems to be a very lucky find so far.
I went to a 'Making money count' class with a view to putting it on as a free training session to offer to our tenants as we think a good number of them will experience greater difficulties once the bedroom tax and universal credit come into force. I've also designed a preparing for interview course which goes through the whole process, culminating with a mock interview where they put everything they learn into practice. As many have not had a job at all, we are hoping this will help them to get interviews, and hopefully a job as well. The trainer we have in mind was very enthusiastic and is going to prepare a 3 session course and deliver it. I should have patented the idea, as she is freelance, and is planning on offering it to other organisations I think.
I've also been shopping for equipment for the allotment group, attended one of their classes on moon planting and biodiversity, and tomorrow I'm meeting someone from the Sure Start Children's Centre about setting up a community allotment for hopefully 10 families. I had looked at volunteering to support 5 families in growing their own through the link that Zazen posted, but thought it might be a bit much with a new job. Now I might get 10 families to mentor, as I don't think they have much experience. I just need to convince my manager that it is time well spent. We are hoping to get some of the fathers involved as many do not participate in any of the other activities put on at the centres, so I think he'll go for it.
Another plus is the flexi time. Even having to make up hours from getting in late due to the snow, I managed to save up enough time to take a day off today. I can have one per 4 week period as long as it fits in with others in the department of course. We also need to make sure our phones are covered, so we need to negotiate with the others if we want to go early.
Although I don't get as much money as when I was teaching, I've loved getting home and not having to continue working in the evenings. I'm sure I'm probably still in the 'honeymoon' stage, but I've successfully got through my one month probation interview, just another 5 to go to see if I get taken on permanently. If I have to work (and financially I do), this seems to be a very lucky find so far.
When a job doesn't feel like work - and you're paid for it - it doesnt come much better than that
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