Meet Jacob!
My time at Action Hampshire (AH) has been a time of learning, personal growth and exciting day-to-day challenges keeping me on my toes. I got the job via the Government’s Kickstart Scheme and a bit of charm! Prior to this, I was working within the care sector as a carer and caterer, as I’ve always taken a professional pleasure in helping those who need it. As a result, the charity sector was a natural fit for me, though I was slightly concerned about having to learn an entire new line of business in my new role. However, with the incredible support on offer at AH from all the different departments, not once have I been in a situation in which I didn’t have the resources required to help me.
Working in the VCSE Sector
My role at AH included many new ventures that I had no previous experience in, such as responding to enquiries on the Membership Platform and the charity’s on-goings itself, assisting staff and users alike with the intricacies of our new Membership Platform, locating and posting content, and a wide variety of other transferable skills that I did not previously have. From being responsible for mailboxes, to responding to enquiries relating to the membership process and platform, I was always doing new and exciting things. A highlight of my role was in collaborating with co-workers to produce informational guidance videos, which can be found on the member website. The opportunity to experience and try my hand at all these different challenges has provided me with a fun, challenging and, most importantly, rewarding journey.
Thanks to the support of the staff and all the resources provided, Action Hampshire is an outstanding place for people to learn and better themselves all while serving their local communities in the best way imaginable. The staff at AH have been nothing but supportive and welcoming since I arrived, with everyone taking extra effort to make sure that I was settled in and understood the proceedings of the charity, often going the extra mile to make sure I understood.
Advice for those Joining the Sector
While working for AH, I have learned lots about not only myself, but also the world around me and the crucial work the charity sector conducts itself within. I’m honoured to have been given the chance to work alongside such a driven and motivated workforce who truly all strive to be the best they can be. One of the things I picked up during my time in the sector is that most people around you are driven by a sense of community and a desire to do the right thing by people, helping where they can. It’s a wonderful environment to work within and an admirable motivation!
As a result, you rarely feel worried for your job or overly afraid to make a mistake- they are understanding and accommodating people who constantly evolve to support the community. It is easy to be embarrassed in a new job, but this role has been incredibly supportive whilst I got my bearings. Working under Eleanor and Leah has been a pleasure and I owe much of my knowledge to them and their assistance.
Onwards and Upwards
My next steps are somewhat of a rocky-esque training arc! I’m hoping to go and get some more experience in an office environment, perhaps picking a particular department and interest to double down on and become an expert in. The ideal end result of this would involve being back at Action Hampshire with more tools on my belt! In the meantime, between my next role and this role, I will be taking some shifts at the care home I used to work at and reconnecting with the people there.
