My time at the FRC taught me that you don’t always have to be blood to be a family.
I began my journey with the FRC towards the start of 2019. At a time in my life where I was at my most anxious and unhappy. I decided I needed a change and to try achieve something as sitting around feeling unaccomplished wasn’t making me feel any sort of joy. So as I went up to the social welfare to see my options I seen a lady with a little booth with information about a Community Employment scheme. I decided to take a leaflet and headed home. I flicked through the leaflet and came across a role for ‘foodbank coordinator’ in the local FRC. I decided to call the number on the leaflet and a week later had a meeting set up with Susan Keenan. I was terrified as it had been some time since I had any kind of interview. But as usual my anxiety was put at ease by Susan who made the process nice and simple.
I began the role in April 2019 as foodbank coordinator and to say my anxiety got the better of me is an understatement. I struggled for the first 2 weeks to find my feet in the office and how to make myself heard as well as listened to by the people who attended the food bank. It took me some time of figuring out what worked for me as well as talking to our incredible receptionist among other things Catherine. She helped guide me through how to move through my new role. Honestly without Catherine, Elaine and Maria and Anke being shoulders for my super anxious self to cry on I think I would still be struggling. I eventually found my feet and was raring to go. I was enjoying my time running the food bank so much and the volunteers involved including Mick and Fidelma were great fun during the food packing hours we had together. The participants of the food bank also made the collection days enjoyable as we would have a chat and a joke. Mondays and Thursdays were really days I now looked forward to as I knew I would see some friendly faces. Paddy and Stephen soon joined in with helping out and the food bank was thriving! But unfortunately due to Covid-19 things changed and social distancing became the new normal. Weekly chats became quick visits to collect food parcels. I was finding it hard to cope with the new set up and I believe the staff could feel it. As myself and Elaine decided to give swapping roles a try! I began working as Communications Coordinator and Elaine began working and Food Bank Coordinator. At this point things were thriving again! We had both fallen into our new roles so easily as if it was meant to be.
September 2020 I began working as Communications Coordinator and it just felt like the perfect fit. I felt so comfortable and at home in that role like it was made for me! Any anxiety had had felt had fallen away and I felt like I was becoming a new person. The person I was supposed to be before having my wings clipped and realizing I could spread them and fly again! It felt like something new was on the horizons but I didn’t know what yet. So I been taking part in a Receptionist course with Crann. For the first time in a long time I was enjoying studying! The course was going so well until covid halted that too and I felt like I was at a standstill. I began looking at other means of keeping busy and one night I had found an advertisement for working abroad. I didn’t think much of it and I applied on a whim. I kept going about my new role. Making plans to maybe pursue a Digital Media Marketing Course. (I still may who knows). Life was feeling like it was going my way and it felt so good. I had control of my anxiety and I was in a job I felt secure and appreciated in. What was not to like? I then got an email about a month after applying to the working abroad post. I had an interview with the HR manager at Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Ontario Canada! My heart was racing! I decided to go for it. What had I got to lose? So I had my interview with the HR Manager and in my humble opinion it couldn’t have gone better. I was offered a role at Blue Mountain at the end of the 40 minute long interview. I was over the moon. I Couldn’t believe I had taken such a leap of faith and had it pay off! I really do have the FRC and the incredible staff here to thank for that. They always believed in me and encouraged me to try new things. They’re such an incredible team and anyone would be lucky to work with them. I will miss them terribly.
As I type this it is 29/10/21. My last day working in this incredibly kind loving office and I can’t help but feel nostalgic although I have only been here 2.5 years. So much has happened in that time that it feels like a life time in the best way possible. I will always be grateful to both Aisling and the incredible staff at the FRC for being so welcoming and accepting of me and my big personality!
To Justyna, Catherine, Maria, Elaine, Kathrin, Brandon, Paddy, Stephen and Ollie
Thank you for always making me feel like I was part of something special. The FRC will always hold a special place in my heart.
Much love always
Communications Coordinator
Cody
xx