Graphic Design at the Centre

Hi!

My name is Katie I am 22 and I have been at the Centre for the past 3 months working as a Graphic Designer on work experience!

I had just qualified as a BA (Hons) Degree student and I was ready to put my designs out into the world, However.... I could not get a job. I applied everywhere, Taunton, Yeovil, Chard, Axminster, Ilminster, Lyme regis, and yet no matter how many times I sent my CV out to companies, or asked around for some part time work I would not get a reply from anyone. It was really down putting, I started to apply to jobs that were not even in the artistic field, and yet I still would not get once interview. I began to wonder what was the point of me studying for 5 years and not being able to get a job in the field that I loved, or even a job in a supermarket. I was turned down for one because I was "too overly qualified..."

For nearly 3 months I had been without a job and I was put on job seekers. I was lucky enough to have some really understanding people at the job Centre, and they gave me many options and a lot of help in creating new CV's writing cover letters and even options to start up my own business. This is how I found out about Axminster Health and Wellbeing Centre.

They were looking for someone who would be interested in helping them with their social networking and promoting the Centre, I thought that there was no harm in applying to this so I did.

A couple days later I had a phone call to come into the Centre for an interview. I Met Sam and Sara, two of the Managers at the Centre who were really friendly and helpful. Apparently I was just what they needed! At first I was shocked, I have never had this opportunity before, except in school when we had to go on work experience, and I was thoroughly excited!

I started on Tuesday and my first task was designing the Centre leaflet!

I was very nervous but Sam and Sara assured me that there was nothing to worry about! I was allowed to go at my own pace and create designs for them.

I enjoyed being at the Centre so much that I have stayed on through my job seeking. 

After a while I was contacted by more job opportunities, people were interested in seeing my work and my designs, as they found out that I was volunteering at the Centre. A therapist who is here often  has also asked me to design some business cards and leaflets for her on freelance! My luck was slowly picking up, and I have noticed my designs have improved as well as my confidence.

I have always struggled with interacting with people who are strangers, but the Centre has improved my confidence massively, and I think this has showed in the interviews that I have had for jobs. I handed out leaflets for the food bank down in Tesco for 3 hours straight because I enjoyed it so much, and people who were generally interested in the food bank stopped and chatted with me. I also created the Volunteer Newsletter which requires me to interact with every volunteer at the Centre. 

I cannot thank the Centre enough for what they have allowed for me, it has given me new insight and has boosted my confidence as well as giving me the opportunity to do something that I love. If anyone wants to do volunteering work, you should come here, there is always loads of work to do, and you will never be bored. They also have access to a lovely garden and library for anyone to access. It has given me more than I can say, and though I will not be at the Centre much anymore due to me becoming so busy I will always try and get work done for them, whether it is the Volunteer newsletter or a leaflet!

I will always be grateful to the Centre.

Katie

www.bladelmtd.com

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