Q When did you start work for the YMCA?
A I began working for the YMCA six weeks ago, in a strange way it all still seems very new, but it also feels like I've been here for ages, everyone's been so welcoming and I've taken in so much information in a relatively short space of time.
Q What did you do previously?
A Prior to working for the YMCA I was a student at UEA. I moved to Norwich three years ago for uni and it was the best decision I've made, I met some of the best friends here and just love living in Norwich and hopefully my degree and the experience I've had will help me establish a career working with young people.
After uni I'd been getting frustrated searching for a job, with every newspaper and TV headline suggesting that nobody had a chance of finding anything, so when the YMCA job turned up, I knew I'd found a hidden gem. It ticked every box, working for a great youth-based charity and being able to stay in the area I love. I've been very fortunate that it's all worked out so far.
Q What is your new job role?
A My job role primarily is to support chief executive Tim Sweeting and so it seems to involve a little bit of everything, a large part of my job is doing research into the YMCA and other youth-based organizations, to know our strengths and to know the types of youth work in our area.
I'm also working with Susie Knights on the AGM and our Annual Report which involves working with designers and allows for a bit more creativity. Obviously there is a lot of day-to-day stuff like going to meetings, summarizing reports and liaising with colleagues on tasks. I'm really enjoying the variety to the job, no two days are the same.
Q What are your hobbies?
A In my spare time I like to relax a lot with friends, watch films, go into the city for a window shop and out for food and drinks, ( I suppose I'm not doing a lot to break the student stereotype of being lazy and eating and drinking). One of my big hobbies is watching football, so I'm very glad the season has started again, I'm a Villa fan so things aren't looking too good at the moment but I'm keeping positive, Norwich are my second team now and I enjoy going to watch them.
Pictured above is YMCA Norfolk executive assistant, Stefanie Pearson. (Author: )
YMCA Norfolk's Mary has made a real difference
Mary Ives joined YMCA Norfolk to make a difference – and what a difference she has made to the lives of countless young people in and around Great Yarmouth. (Author: )
A year in the life of YMCA Norfolk
A year in the life of YMCA Norfolk (Author: )
Right Royal celebration for YMCA Norfolk residents
Residents at YMCA Central in Norwich celebrated the recent Royal Wedding in style along with the rest of the nation. (Author: )
YMCA Norfolk duo walk hills for the homeless
Two YMCA Norfolk colleagues have completed a 75-mile sponsored walk across Cumbria to raise cash to help homeless young people in Norwich find a proper bed for the night. (Author: )
YMCA sports coach wins top Norwich learning award
A community sports coach with YMCA Norfolk, who turned his life around after getting involved in a football project, has been crowned learner of the year at a Norwich awards ceremony. (Author: )
Norfolk's Tim to join international YMCA runners
YMCA Norfolk schools worker, Tim Lee, is set to join an international YMCA team running in the London Marathon on April 17. (Author: )
YMCA's Michael joins celebrity sports launch
Football coach and YMCA Norfolk part-time worker Michael Douglas has joined with celebrities such as Delia Smith, Jake Humphrey, Simon Thomas and Iwan Roberts to help relaunch a Norwich City FC charity which promotes sport and its benefits. (Author: )
Nick joins team for Indian Christian mission
YMCA Norfolk corporate support director Nick Nundy is heading to South India with a team of Norfolk Christians to help lead a Gospel mission for the next two weeks. (Author: )
OUR PEOPLE: Dreaming of a YMCA Christmas
YMCA Norfolk resettlement offier Mike Howard has seasonal thoughts about homelessness and is dreaming of a YMCA Christmas in his latest poetry series. (Author: )
Norfolk landlady Janet swaps pub for church
A Norfolk pub landlady has swapped last orders for holy orders and become a parish priest after an amazing experience in her local church. (Author: )
OUR PEOPLE: Reflections on young lives
YMCA Norfolk resettlement officer Mike Howard reflects on young lives in a series of short poems. (Author: )
OUR PEOPLE: It's back to school for our Nick
Nick Blanch joined YMCA Norfolk on a six month contract as a schools worker at Earlham High School. Seven years later he is still here and is now our Schools and Community Manager. (Author: )
OUR PEOPLE: Jasmine fired up about life
Norwich Central YMCA kitchen assistant, Jasmine Kerrison, is a keen photographer, spins fire and is studying for a degree. (Author: )
Norwich civic honour for YMCA volunteer Matt
Matt Godfrey was once living rough on the streets of Norwich, but now he has received a Civic Award from the city’s Lord Mayor for outstanding voluntary service with YMCA Norfolk. (Author: )
A turning point in Martin's life journey
Martin Rye has just taken over at YMCA Norfolk’s Throckmorton Yard project, the latest step in a journey that has taken him from a young man drifting between unemployment and fights with authority to a housing manager with a real purpose in life. (Author: )
YMCA Norfolk honours 250 years of service
Over 250 years of service by staff at YMCA Norfolk was recognised in a special ceremony at Norfolk County Hall last night (May 20). (Author: )
OUR PEOPLE: A chance to take breath
When Lady Kay Fisher moved to Norfolk just over 12 years ago, she became a councillor at Breckland and joined the Board of YMCA Norfolk. (Author: )