Au Revoir -from our departing Project Support & Marketing Officer

Now the end of February has come, I am saying the fondest of farewells to the Community Chesterfield Team and project and the lovely wider DVA Team.    I am going to work in a community organisation in Sheffield – Israac:  https://israac.org.uk/  – and although I’m looking forward to the new role, it has been a brilliant experience working here.  I’d like to share why I loved it, what I learned and some thoughts about the project’s future.

A Good Idea

Right from the start, the project is founded on a simple and excellent idea – of linking the huge assets of two sectors together to spark creative new connections.   Brilliant work from DVA’s Julia Cook and our St Helena, University of Derby link Claire Carter! Whenever I describe the idea to anyone, it always strikes them as one with excellent potential.

A Cracking Team

I have learned so much from this lot!  The atmosphere of the team was down to everyone. It has been supportive, forward looking, creative and -  importantly - very honest.  Not only have our training coordinators laid on fabulous training sessions from which we’ve all benefitted, but the good practice and personal qualities of the team have inspired a lot of professional development.  I’ve had not one but two really supportive and uplifting managers in Jenny then Charlotte.   As I leave, we are looking forward to two excellent new colleagues - a Project Support and a Marketing and Comms Officer to follow.  This offers Community Chesterfield extra capacity and fab new energies to add to its strengths.

Brilliant Partners

University: the expertise and professionalism of University colleagues has been a wonderful boon to the project – from self-care, nursing, mental health nursing, family and youth work through placement management, liaison with local business and leadership, we have drawn on their skills to nourish the voluntary sector.   It has been particularly impressive how successful University of Derby are in terms of finding employment for graduates - which fits beautifully with some of project aims.  Their outreach to recruit new students is really strong.  I loved the St Helena choir!

Community: what a range of energetic, committed and imaginative groups there are in Chesterfield, working hard with their communities to support and enable.  Again, so much to learn – and be inspired by – its been lovely to share this at times with our wonderful Community Development Officer, Alison – who cares so much about the people and organisations she has connected with.      It has been such a pleasure getting to know everyone through our trainings – where skills were shared with some brilliant problem solving on offer!   Our Experts by Experience programme where individuals shared their lived experiences was a perfect way to connect with people – a highlight was the signing of some Christmas songs by Conor from Fairplay in 2019 during a presentation on Makaton (see end pic).

Being in on the Start

How privileged to be invited in near the start of the project – with logistical set up still to do and seeds to plant.  We did have some fun!   For a few months we felt some frustration as much effort seemed to yield little result.  Then suddenly our seeds started to grow, and initiatives like the Peer Support Group for volunteer managers and the Experts by Experience programme and other ‘meaningful connections’ began to flourish.  I loved being part of the event exploring possibilities for a Chesterfield Community Hub in February 2020. 

And then….

COVID19 of course challenged us along with everyone.  Weirdly it accelerated some aspects of the project as it became clear that it was easier to connect with the University virtually.  Similarly, training courses were cheaper and more flexibly run.  It certainly accelerated our tech learnings – we’re now all over Zoom breakout rooms, Miro, Poll Everywhere and Trello!  Thanks to Kate for kickstarting this tendency and ensuring our training went supercharged!!   We have had a lot of ‘flowering’ during the pandemic despite everything – as well as extensive remote trainings, events and ‘meaningful connections’ - there have been many wonderfully received Experts by Experience, peer support, virtual placements, internships with marketing and collective procurement work. 

Looking Ahead

So much is ahead for Community Chesterfield with new team members starting soon and people to reach or new resources we could facilitate in both directions for Uni and Community.  As our lovely guiding Strategic and Reference Groups both said recently – this is a valuable project with loads of future potential! 😊

I wouldn’t miss staying in touch to see how the project continues to grow and evolve as well as to keep in personal touch with the team. 

Thank you to everyone for supporting the project and for making my working life such a wonderful learning opportunity and pleasure!

Susannah Brewer