So, turns out I haven't written on this for almost 6 months. A long time. When I last wrote, I was still looking for work. Since then I've performed in a very successful play, broken my ankle, been in plaster for six weeks, claimed both Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance, got dangerously close to spending all my savings, applied for a huge number of jobs and had a lot of interviews. I've put on weight, I've lost some of it, I joined a gym and I've left it already. I've travelled the country, taking in Devon, Pembrokeshire, York, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol. I've made new friends, said goodbye to wonderful ones, dated and met some lovely guys. I've written more of my novel and dallied with poetry. I've laughed, cried, loved and hated.
I've also made my return to the world of the employed. For the past five weeks I have taken on a brand new role at Alzheimer's Society working in London. I'm doing everything I could have ever hoped for in an exciting role, that brings in all of my experiences in the past three years. I'm influencing, campaigning, working with services and generally trying to help the Society stake its claim as the leader in dementia services, knowledge, influence and research. In the few weeks I've been there I've already met some wonderful new friends, attended some cracking events and even had a chat with the Prime Minister. I've become a Dementia Friends Champion, and I've already delivered an Information Session to over 30 people. This week I visited my first service, getting to really understand the work we do with people with dementia.
I'll be honest and say that dementia wasn't really at the top of my list of causes I wanted to work for. I've never had personal experience of it and its not something I really understand. However, as I have learnt in the past five weeks, it affects more people than I realised, is something that debilitates people and families if not dealt with correctly, and is something that a still shockingly small number of people are given a formal diagnosis for or are able to access the necessary support. Having spent my Tuesday afternoon with younger people with dementia, I came to see that, whilst dementia is something horrible to have to live with, its possible to make small changes in the way we work to seriously improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.
And really, that's what its all about for me. I work in the charity sector because I know that my skills are best suited to making people's lives better, and that is what motivates me to get up and do my work. Its as simple as that. I don't want prestige, I don't want a huge pay packet and I certainly don't want to make money for someone else. I want to know that my work in influencing the people who make decisions directly impacts people, and really helps them lead better lives.
Yes, the charity sector is becoming more businesslike - as it should - and profit isn't the swear word that it used to be. We are becoming more corporate, we are providing more government services, and we are talking about brand and competition like any other business. But, at their core, charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations are staffed by kind, caring and compassionate people - people who are bright, driven and exceptional at what they do - that work tirelessly for the people they support.
There's no greater happiness for me than working in a charity, from the people I meet to the people I help. I couldn't be happier to have come back, with a brilliant and challenging job, for a cause that I now truly believe in.
