In this blog post, our NENC VCSE Engagement Coordinator, Sian, celebrates her first VONNEiversary as well as exploring what she enjoys about working at VONNE.
I can’t believe it is already my first VONNEiversary! It’s safe to say that this year has been a blast, and I have learned so much.
I started last March, in the role of Health and Wellbeing Project Support Officer. I was focused on marketing and communications in this role. It was so exciting to learn about the Health and Wellbeing programmes that we have at VONNE. Since then, the Health and Wellbeing team, and their projects have expanded exponentially, so I wasn’t the team newbie for long. During this period though, I really appreciated the opportunity to learn and explore my skills, the team were great in inducting me into the world of Health, and gave me the chance to adjust. Their patience was very much appreciated.
In December 2022, I was promoted to the role of North East & North Cumbria VCSE Engagement Coordinator. Still within the Health and Wellbeing team, I now focus more on our Sub-Groups, which are part of the NENC VCSE Partnership Programme. Not only do I get to put everything I have learned to the test in this role, but I also get to meet more wonderful people from the VCSE sector!
Why I love working at VONNE
Passion and making a difference
People at VONNE are passionate about what they do. Everyone is so positive about the work that the whole VONNE team is doing, and we know how important it is to celebrate each other’s wins. Everyone in the VONNE team is always trying to make a difference and enhance the experience of those who are staff, our VONNE Members, and charities across the region.
Supportive environment
VONNE’s environment is very supportive, and the culture is very open. In our team meetings we always discuss what has gone well or not so well, and I think it shows that people are open and comfortable with sharing experiences, obstacles and how they got over them. In this sense, it is the learning that counts towards helping the team grow and develop.
What I have also loved, is that everyone is welcome to ‘get stuck in’. Managers are so very often, supportive of your own goals and want to help you gain the experience you need for either your role or the future. I have so enjoyed working on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work at VONNE. I am really passionate about EDI work and have explored this in building our EDI action plan. I have also been given the opportunity to write about some of the things I am passionate about: Neuroinclusion, social mobility and understanding the importance of pronouns. I hope to build upon this as I continue my role.
Positive vibes
I can only describe my year so far at VONNE as having positive vibes! While everyone works hard, we all make an effort to mark milestones such as these and contribute to a positive and fun working environment. I can’t wait to see what year 2 has in store.