During the final week in July, working in partnership with the Debbie Abrahams’ Summer School, Action Together hosted a work placement for student Georgia O’Dea across our Oldham team. Georgia has a passion for Politics, and will be heading to London in September to continue her studies at King’s College; she was keen to use her placement to learn more about Action Together and to gain a broader insight into how the voluntary sector operates. During her 4 days with us Georgia spent time meeting with different members of our team and learning more about their various roles. Georgia also spent some time volunteering at the Foodbank and attended some outreach events with our development and volunteering teams, so that she could see first-hand the type of support we offer and the impact we make within the community.
In Georgia’s feedback about her experience she said “thank you for the opportunity, everyone was lovely and I learnt a lot!”. So a big thank you to everyone that spent some time with Georgia during her placement, and also to Georgia herself – it was really great to have her with us! If you want to read more about Georgia’s placement she has written the blog below documenting her short placement.
Monday:
To begin my work experience placement, I sat in on an Oldham full team meeting. In this meeting, I was able to hear about what projects action together are currently working on, such as plans to help those who will be particularly disadvantaged by the cost-of-living crisis. After this, I met with the impact and communications coordinator and learnt how the media is utilised to promote the work of Action Together and its positive impact on the community. In the afternoon, I spoke to Action Together’s HR officer about the general structure and work of the organisation, as well as the values of the organisation; be true, believe it’s possible and strengthen others. To conclude the day, I met with the strategic change manager and discussed his work around poverty reduction through systemic change, reducing the stigma around receiving financial aid (e.g., welfare or using the food bank), and improving funding and the allocation of resources in the NHS. Overall, my first day on the placement provided a useful insight into how Action Together operates and the type of work that they are involved in.
Tuesday:
On the second day of my work experience placement, I spent the morning at the Oldham library providing people with information about other charities and how to volunteer with them. I then met with the social change Co-Ordinator and discussed plans to reduce poverty in Oldham through working with other organisations in the public sector and tackling the causes of poverty. Then I met with Oldham’s comms and marketing officer and discussed how social media is currently being used to promote action together and how this can be improved. My second day on the placement gave me a more in-depth understanding of the projects that action together are currently working on.
Wednesday:
On Wednesday I attended the community explorer gathering at Failsworth grassroots allotments. I heard about the work of various organisations within Oldham, such as SAWN who give aid and support to black women and turning point who help to rehabilitate those with drug or alcohol addictions.
After this, I attended the Trinity House to watch the opening of a garden that residents had worked on. Here, I had to chance to meet local people and members of Oldham council.
Thursday:
On the final day of my placement with Action Together, I volunteered at Oldham foodbank. I spent the morning creating packages for those who use the foodbank, and the afternoon in the warehouse organising deliveries that the foodbank receives. Seeing how the foodbank operates was incredibly interesting, and I thoroughly enjoyed helping out and making a difference.
Overall, my placement at Action Together provided me with a useful insight into how the voluntary sector operates. I particularly enjoyed going out into the community and making a difference, as well as interacting with people that I wouldn’t have met had it not been for the placement. I would strongly recommend volunteering for Action Together as I thoroughly enjoyed my week on the placement.