What is your role with Solace?
When I first started, I was employed on fixed term contract for year as administrator for Camden’s Women’s Aid. The organisation was only made up of a team of 12 staff members. My role included IT support, receptionist, organising board meetings and staff meetings. The organisation grew and in 2007, it merged with Islington and Enfield. As it continued to grow, additional staff were employed to support with HR and IT. I took the opportunity to do my CIPD qualification to continue with the HR work and now work in a team with 8 others and it is a really nice place to work.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I like the feeling of knowing I have helped people. Maternity meetings are always happy as the mums to be are excited about their time away from work to have their baby. The colleagues in my team and across the organisation are all lovely.
Can you tell me about one of the most memorable days/experiences you have had?
I remember the 30th anniversary and we celebrated with different speakers and the service users were invited to speak, sing, read poetry and cook.
I also remember having our away days and service users were invited to cook from their culture. I used to go and collect the food and once had a large saucepan of curry in the back of my car that spilt so the smells reminded me of the away day for a long time after!
If you had one wish for women and girls for the next 50 years, what would you ask for?
Safety