Age
22

Education
Degree in English literature from Essex University.

So, what do you actually do?
I'm a friendship line officer for the charity Contact the Elderly. We organise tea parties for lonely older people. I work with our volunteers who host tea parties in their homes once a month for older people. I also look after our website, liaise with our director and do a lot of event organising, like pub quizzes and recently, an auction, with our fundraising manager.

How did you get into it?
When I was at university I used to visit an older lady once a week with Help the Aged. I always knew I wanted to work helping people but wasn't sure exactly what area to go into I graduated in 2006 and in October of the same year, enrolled onto a foundation course run by Working for a Charity three times a year.

It's a seven-day course which is designed to be an introduction to working in a charity. Speakers come in to talk about everything from fundraising and events to media work. You also do a placement as part of the course and I did mine at Contact the Elderly. I was here for three months, working two days a week 10am to 4.30pm. My task was to put together a fundraising pack for them, something they had never had before. Whilst volunteering I found out about the job I'm doing now, applied and got it! I think I was very lucky. We only have five staff members here and I wouldn't have known about the job if I didn't do the course and placement.

What are the best things about your job?
I've always wanted to work helping people and so I love what I do now. It can be stressful but it's very rewarding and I get to chat to our volunteers a lot who are really lovely.

Any top tips for someone wanting to get into this work?
Charity work is a competitive area to get into. I'd recommend doing a relevant course like I did and volunteering is very important. You could volunteer up to two days a week and get another job to keep you going with money, applying for jobs in the meantime. That'll give you good references and great experiences. Or do an internship or placement at a charity like I did. Then you'll know if you really want to work for a charity.

Contact the Elderly
www.contact-the-elderly.org

Working for a Charity
www.wfac.org.uk

Help the Aged
www.helptheaged.org.uk