How would you describe your role in one sentence?

I would describe it as interesting and rewarding.

How many people do you come into contact with?

There are 8 members of staff who are primarily based at the Hub and I see those people on a regular basis. Then there are others I see maybe once or twice a week, such as Area Managers and volunteers.

What’s the first thing you do on a standard day?

I start by getting some coffee, signing in to my computer and checking for any email updates I may have had whilst I have been out of the office. I will then liaise with Retail Support Manager, Chris, regarding what tasks he would like me to focus on for the day.

What’s your favourite task?

I haven’t really decided on a favourite task yet. I have taken on a variety of tasks since starting my position and I have learned a great deal as a result, so they have all been beneficial.

Which task do you dislike the most?

Dislike is not really the right word, but I have found laminating documents to be a bit tedious as the laminators can be a bit temperamental.

What’s the most interesting thing about your job?

Some of my colleagues hadn’t started in their roles during the first few months of my job, so I was given tasks outside of my initial job description to help cover the workload during that time. I found this really helpful as it meant I was taking on a new task almost every day and it gave me a much better view of how the Hub operates overall.

What do you think other people would be surprised to know about your role?

Following on from the previous question, my parents frequently ask how my job is going and are regularly surprised by the range of tasks that I am able to take on and are impressed by how much I have learned so far.

What skills do you need to do your job?

For the admin tasks a basic understanding of the MS Office programmes is essential, as well as a good knowledge of manual handling techniques and special awareness is key for sorting stock in the warehouse.

Who have you learned the most from at Princess Alice Hospice?

My manager Chris Jones has been very welcoming and incredibly supportive of my progress. I can honestly say he has been the best manager I have worked with. That being said, the entire Retail team have been brilliant and have made me feel very welcome.

Is there anything boring about your role??

I think it’s fair to say that any job can have elements that will become boring after a while, but as with any task they have to be done so you just have to power through regardless. I have found that if I’m in my office or the warehouse by myself then having my air pods in can help relieve boredom as the music and voices create a sense of company.

What’s the last thing you do before you leave at the end of the day?

I will make sure to tidy my work area, wash up my coffee cup, log off and shut down my computer before I leave. If I am last in the building and locking up I will then check that all doors and windows are locked and lights are switched off before setting the alarm and leaving.