First day of work in British Heart Foundation.
Date:28th. September.2011
Time: 09:18 pm
Paid Jobs has been one of my greatest fears, only when it doesn’t involve much/any productivity, self-achievement or design-based.
The only paid-jobs I have done were being a waitress in a Chinese Buffet Restaurant in Liverpool (November, 2008); giving out free newspapers around a happening exhibition in ChinaTown on Chinese New Year (February, 2011); designing logos for some people (2010).
At some point I have noticed that there was this kind of work call voluntary work and even though I didn’t do much it engraved my heart with remarkable memories and valuable experiences. When I was studying in China, I volunteered to become a member of the Red Cross and we spent some days selling home-use objects and artworks, visiting old families/residents who were at home alone and never got to see their children again in remote areas, we also helped take care of students who got injured in College, and the school would hold a campaign or big events yearly to raise funds for charities, usually it involved making international cuisines by students and teachers, great plays and dancing performances by students too and many other interesting activities. I have to say that I love volunteering back then, and I still do. However the only difference is that, in the past I volunteered out of entire passion with no additional thought at all. I simply loved to help! And now, I want to volunteer due to several reasons. Firstly because I still have passion for it. Secondly, I want to encounter with more people and have a deeper connection with my surroundings and the world. Gaining more valuable/exceptional/one-off experiences also contribute to the reasons, which will benefit others and me in so many ways either in the present time or the future. What’s more, I need to build up my self-esteem/confidence before I get into a proper job/project.
Well, the foregoing was a long talk of my work experience history.
Getting back to the main topic, as the title stated I had my first day of work in the British Heart Foundation on Bold Street today.
I arrive at the shop at 2pm or so and met the main manager Diane, who took me into their main working places, storage room and restroom. On the short Journey I met Charlotte, who is also the manager, followed by Alice, Bernadette, Chris, Jose and some other volunteers’ names I can’t recall. They are all very nice and friendly people and one thing I noticed is that they are truly happy volunteers, which moved my heart. I started my work with an induction of health and safety reading in addition to some paperworks. After the readings, I got to start helping out in the shop by putting the ironed clothing into their designated sections of the groundfloor shop. The shop did not require any formal outfit to wear for work or any strict rules, so it was all peaceful, fun and enjoyable. Volunteers are really phenomenal I must say cuz they seem delighted all the time, always having their smiles on their faces, it would sweeten anyone who sees them. Believe it or not, I tried my best at everything they assigned me even though it wasn’t much, I still invested my biggest effort. And whenever my hands or mind was empty, I had to always ask for work.
That is also one of my problems when working, I can’t let myself stop at all literally. Iif I have one second of spare time I would donate it into finding any tiny jobs to do in the workplace. Is just my nature.
I want to thank British Heart Foundation for giving me such precious experience and letting me encounter with new and friendly people, hopefully will get to know them better as I will be turning up for work every Wednesday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.
Good Luck.
