This is your first insight into the working lives of Sue Loughran
and Holly Ramsden, the Northern England Natural Network Trainees!!
Even though we’re based in different TCV offices our paths have continuously crossed, but first a little about each of us. (Argyll, Edinburgh Campsite, Hedgelaying, Bache)
Holly from Hollybush 🙂
There are too few people in the world that can say they love their job, but I really really do!! I started my traineeship at the beautiful TCV site Hollybush in Kirkstall, Leeds six weeks ago now. My, time has flown. After moving from South Devon back to God’s Own Country I’ve hardly taken a breath. From my first week it has been a whirlwind of meeting new people, training,training and more training, and generally getting stuck in. Hollybush is a hub for a range of practical activities for anyone to get involved with, including conservation tasks, woodworking and gardening. There is a focus at the moment to provide those that are in between jobs with new skills and confidence to get back on he job ladder. There is also a fantastic project for adults with learning disabilities, who are provided with fun and innovative activities in a positive and social environment. Wherever possible I help out one of the groups, or take out a group of volunteers for the day.
So far I’ve learned a range of practical skills such a tree planting, hedgelaying, coppicing, preparing brewkits (it’s for tea not beer!) and being a human yardstick.
more images to follow…
Sue, Countess of Chester Country Park
Well my new office is airy and spacious and alive! Thank goodness it never rains when it’s Green Gym time (HaHa!) I’m working in a new location for TCV with a colleague Alistair, (who is employed under a “Health for Life “project), and we’re supported by Neil from the office in Liverpool and Katie from the office in Manchester. Green Gym happens twice a week; now being supplemented by health walks and runs (Alistair’s side of the project), and we’re just working on linking in with a huge variety of local community and hospital contacts. Alistair has been involved previously in setting up the park and I’ve previously worked for the NHS, so between us, we’re invincible!! Even though we have different goals, there is a lot of overlap in what we’re trying to achieve. It’s great to be able to do some joint working, (even though we don’t see each other very often), and we’re currently planning Easter and Open events for the park.
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Loving the challenge, the opportunities, and the freedom to join in and feel good!