February 2022

From Kickstarter to Social Media Assistant - Ife's start at Compaid

All the social media posts in the past week have been written by me, the new Social Media Assistant for Compaid, and in my brief time working for such a reputable organisation, I have learned more than I expected and have been impacted personally even more so.

I started working at Compaid after 2 years of looking for a job post-graduation. As soon as I got out of university, the pandemic was in full effect, so my hopes of finding a job as soon as possible were slim. I had no work experience prior, besides the one position I had for only two months before leaving the company, but not long after that, I found the opening at Compaid through the Kickstarter Scheme and applied, hoping perhaps something would come of it. I didn’t know much about the organisation besides what was on their website, but once I was accepted and I started, my eyes were opened to even more about the business and the services they provide that I couldn’t have experienced by just reading articles.

I spent the first few days in the training centre and accompanying a driver on one of the community transport buses, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to experience the life changing services of Compaid first hand. While in the training centre, I got the chance to sit with the staff and volunteers who help the many disabled and vulnerable people who attend each day, understanding the different activities and skills that are taught and how one to one support makes such a difference. In all honesty I was nervous to start, worried I might do or say the wrong thing, but as I sat with them, I realised just how important this environment is for these amazing people. I got to know many of the clients who are so talented and excited to learn and love to be inspired.

Many of the clients attending the training centre are extremely creative, using the computers to create games, write and design pieces of art that are so wonderful it inspired me to get back to writing myself again. Despite the learning, physical or mental disabilities many of them have, these people are so real and honest and no different to you or I.

When out with one of the drivers, we talked about his experiences picking up elderly and disabled people and helping them into town or to other journeys that they use our transport. One point that struck me was how the driver emphasised how we all have problems we are facing in our lives, but it doesn’t make us a lesser person for having them. Often in society, vulnerable people are looked down on or overlooked because of the illnesses they are facing, but if we take the time to just talk to them about their day, ask them what they’re interested in or let them talk about what they’re doing, we’ll quickly realise how valuable they are. Their stories and struggles and world view all contribute to the enthused and passionate people they are. They are more than their disabilities.

This week I spent time with Val, manager of the Outreach Training Services. Before joining Compaid, even after reading through the website, I didn’t know how far their reach was, so after talking to Val, I realised how truly passionate she and her team are  about helping as many vulnerable people as possible. Working with organisations like Job Centre Plus and housing associations to support vulnerable people who may need Compaid’s help is admirable and the impact they have in the wider community is something I will respect for the significant future.

I know I’m only one week into working with Compaid, but my time here has already been so inspiring for me within the organisation and in my own life. To be so passionate about a cause such as this is the way I want to lead my own life, and I hope that, as I continue to work with them, I will learn how I too can be a positive catalyst for change in my own goals for my life and in the lives of others I encounter along the way.