At the start of this month our Charity Manager Jenny left to start an exciting new career as a gardener. After six years with the charity, we look back over her time with us…
Gardening will take your career in an entirely new direction – how are you feeling about starting your new job?
Of course I’m sad about leaving PaP – having been here for over 6 years it’s going to be a big change! But I am also very excited to move on to this next chapter of my life. I have worked in an office since I left school, so to be doing something that will allow me to get out into the fresh air is something I’m really looking forward to. I have been a keen amateur gardener for some time, and I’d always had at the back of my head “wouldn’t it be lovely to do this for a job” so this year I decided to make the leap! I have a lot to learn, but I can’t wait to begin.
What do you think you’ll miss most?
There is so much I’m going to miss it’s hard to pick just one. I guess it would have to be doing a job that contributes a greater good; knowing that what I did each day in the office had an impact on the lives of children and families living in such desperate need.
Oh and of course all of the fun and giggles that we have (most of the time 🙂 ) in the office!
What has been your biggest challenge during your time at PaP?
There is no one specific challenge, but rather the responsibility of my role. We are all human and make mistakes, but I always had at the back on my mind that any mistakes that I made could have an impact on our bottom line and therefore the lives of the people we support. Having said that I would try and flip that feeling around and make it a motivator!
And what was the highlight of your time here?
Ooh that is such a tough one… it might sound clichéd but I really do have many highlights. I guess the most memorable experiences will be the ones that included being on the ground with the projects. I spent time both at the Way of Joy in Romania and Starlight in Nepal which were both amazing experiences. Sometimes here in the office you can get so caught up in the day to day tasks, such as admin and fundraising that you forget what you’re actually doing it for. Meeting the children that we support and seeing in the flesh the impact of PaP’s work is something that will stay with me for life.
We all work so closely together in the office that it’s hard to take the credit for any one thing, but when I look back I feel proud of the impact that I have had on the charity, in particular recruiting and supporting fundraisers and running the brilliant Gala Ball. It always gives me a great sense of pride to see what has been raised at an event and think of what that money will be able to provide for the people who need it most
On behalf of the charity, we wish Jenny all the very best in her new career and knowing that she will still remain a part of the charity through volunteering her time makes us extremely happy and proud to know that she still intends to remain a close member of our little family here at People against Poverty. We will miss you.
