I started with TCV (then BTCV) in 1997 as a volunteer whilst suffering from anxiety and depression, through unforeseen problems I had to stop for a while but started again in 2001 and have not looked back since.
In October 2003 when the previous project officer left to undertake voluntary work in South Africa, I had been volunteering as a VO for around 1 year at the time and had been shadowing him, he left and I got the position as project officer for a three month trial period and I am still here now, I still love the job, I still love getting out with volunteers whether it’s into ponds, laying hedges, building raised beds or sowing wildflowers.
I have crossed paths with so many inspirational people, some of them also still around today as volunteers, some sadly not and to be honest, what a time I have had, from project officer to trainer to Senior project officer and all the in-betweens and I am not planning on going anywhere soon.