My Story
Eventually we started a family and the travels continued, not only to different parts of the country following Roger’s work, but also taking holidays to all parts of the compass. In retirement, Roger and I travelled throughout the UK in various motorhomes, and also took the opportunity to visit New Zealand after our elder son and his family emigrated.
If you want to find out more about my Education, Work and Volunteering, then please feel free to read on:
Education
I passed the 11+ to go to the local girls Grammar school at 11, but left at 16 with just 2 ‘O’ Levels. Gradually I worked my way through more ‘O’ Levels and eventually, many years later, gained an Open University BA(Hons) degree, collecting many other work-related qualifications on the way.
Employment
Looking for my first job, I was told by a Careers Officer “with only 2 ‘O’ Levels you might be able to get a job in Woolworths”. I found my own job as a Cost Clerk in a local steelworks firm. After getting married I worked in the Post Office’s Telephone Sales department until I had our elder son. When my younger son was old enough to go to school, I returned to work, having taken on an Au Pair to help look after the children. My first job was in a small printing firm as a Book Keeper-cum-Secretary, advancing to Office Manager before the family moved with Roger’s job.
New home, new job! Here I dipped my toes into Human Resources and being told “having a young family plus new job plus studying for a degree would be too much stress for you”, I left that job to work in the HR department of the CAA in London. My next move was in lobbying in London, then a job as HR Manager in a large food retail store, local to where I lived. My last job was a temporary contract as HR Manager for a relocation project, the contract being terminated early.
Self Employment
At this stage I took time out and decided to go down the self-employed route, retraining for a new dual role of Psychotherapist and Trainer, offering trainings throughout the length and breadth of the British Isles, which I did until my retirement.
Volunteering
After starting a family I faced a dilemma – whilst I felt I had to stay at home to bring up my children, I also wanted to be occupied and busy so I entered the volunteering forum, and even after my children had grown up I continued volunteering.
After starting my own home playgroups, I moved on to running community-led ones, eventually becoming the Chair of one; I helped at and started local Women’s Groups; and then volunteered for the Royal Observer Corps and at a local Family Planning Clinic. Over a period of several years I was: School Governor at local Middle and Upper schools; a trainer and tutor at local adult education centres; and a member of a Community Health Council. I became a member of Soroptimist International, being Club President twice and Regional President once. After emigrating to New Zealand, both Roger and I volunteered at a local animal care centre and later were tutors at a Seniors Learning centre.
