charity administrator Review

It was good to see how the charity worked in real life day to day running. I really enjoyed being trained and being responsible for a few daily tasks - this helped me to feel confident. I particularly liked going to a couple of the physical charity shops and seeing how the staff are trained and shown around the shop. The people who work there were really very sweet to me and I feel so welcomed and enabled me to feel like an adult.

The person who I first met who initially welcomed me into the office was quite a young woman and I thought she would not like me but it turned out that she was full of experience and told me about how not to worry and that this is going to be useful and fun and that we can all learn from each other. I felt listened to and that helped me feel like I can have some input in the daily work, as we got a chance every day to hear each other in briefings.

There was a supervisor who was in charge of me throughout. She would be available in the office. If I needed to talk to her she gave me her number and I had access to her email address if I needed to contact her urgently. But most of the time I saw her in the office so it was ok, she was able to help me and advise.

I learned about how the charity sector works. And in particular how AGE UK assists people throughout the country and the bigger picture. It helped me to understand the structure of a large business and I developed my knowledge of charity sector. I have increased my organisation skills and time planning so that will be good for my future.

There was a good amount of reading material so I can understand about who works there etc. I was given a talk at the beginning about the structures so I know who works where and when so that I can be aware. The everyday people were introduced to me and I was very happy to be working with them across their different roles, throughout my time there seeing how they all work.

I loved seeing the shops and meeting all the part time and full time staff that work there. There was a lot going on and every day was different. The offices had a more conservative feel to it but it was still good to meet the behind the scenes important people in the offices so that I understand how it all works together. The people were really kind and bubbly and made me feel safe and welcomed.

They told about some junior roles in the offices that come up yearly and thought I might be interested so told me about how I can apply. It gave the impression that they thought I have the skills to work for them. I was given a lot of time and daily people would chat to me about how good it is to have me helping them - so I feel lucky that they felt this way.

The people in the shops who were volunteers told me about their daily role and gave me insight about what that job entails. I felt this was educational. In the offices - my supervisor told me about the other junior roles and explained I would be a good person to do them so that gave me a real life expectation that after uni I can work in this type of industry If I really wanted to.

Seeing the different hierarchy of staff developed my understand of office politics and how to navigate them! It made me aware of how you have to work as a team but from time to time I can work and will expected to work independently too. This was something I valued a lot!

I'm more sure now than ever before that I would like to get involved in working for the charity sector. As to which role-- that depends on what is available and what I may decide in the future to do if I do end up applying for a job there. I like that value of the work they do and can see myself being involved with a company like this.

I was paid a little bit of money for travel and expenses which was fine for me! I was not expecting a charity to give me a wage during my time as I knew it was mainly for the experience. I was totally fine with that as I live local and knew that would be the way before I agreed to go there.

Yes, lots of networking opportunities. There were socials at the end of each week so we got to know people better. Also the company has Instagram and facebook and twitter as well as other social media sites so it was easy to add and connect with people from the company to extend my reach and learn about people who worked there.

There was a lot of information in the emails about monthly networking events so that was good. In the everyday, I would be invited to lunch with staff so I was aware how I can make friends and become a member of their social circle. Lots of social media activity so I could follow them easily.

Some people told me about some out of work activities they do, but not many talked about the other things they do outside of the charity. I don't expect people to tell a new person straightaway so maybe in the future I can learn. It also depends as this can be a personal choice if someone wants to share that or not.

Yes absolutely! Its really good in getting relatable non threatening work experience no matter what your background or status. A lot of jobs have some over exaggerated expectations of you - but not here. You felt like you were just the same as them and they gave you responsibility so you don't just feel like a dummy. It gave me so much confidence and I feel able now!