From time to time at Flourish we take people on via internships, placements and volunteering. Here Jennifer Irvine, a recent graduate shares her experiences….
Straight after graduating from university last year, I came across Flourish through researching various Manchester based organizations that create sustainable change in the local community. After finding out how Flourish supports women changemakers to create ethical social change business ventures, I decided to send over my CV expressing how I wanted to help in one way or another. I quickly received an enthusiastic reply and was subsequently asked to attend one of the Time To Grow events that was taking place in late September.
In my year off between my undergraduate studies and postgraduate studies, I wanted to gain experience working within an industry that gives back to the community. I’m proud to say that I am now coming up to my fifth month at Flourish, and even despite the COVID regulations (that, I admit, made face to face events rare and working from home a regular occurrence) I have gained insight, skills, and experience I wouldn’t have gotten from anywhere else. My manager, Nickala, has been nothing short of amazing by showing me the ins and outs of the Social Enterprise world. I’ve worked on a range of projects with her, from interviewing women for the GMCA report, to helping build Flourish’s social media presence by showcasing Women Changemaker’s on their Instagram page.
Above all, perhaps the most rewarding and enlightening part of my internship so far, has been the diversity of the women I’ve spoken to. Indeed, coming from an Anthropological background, I have always taken interest in ensuring that those who come from different backgrounds feel involved and embraced within their local community, as well as within the wider national discourse. Having had been involved with a GMCA report and consultation looking at the co-design of recommissioning of women’s services around Greater Manchester, I’ve gleefully witnessed how Flourish provides a platform for every type of woman to have their voices heard. I’ve seen how women who feel as though they’re left on the periphery of society, light up with enthusiasm, knowing that their beliefs and opinions matter for their wider community.
Indeed, my involvement with Flourish’s Time to Grow programme further revealed to me how women from all social, economic, and ethnic groups are welcomed at Flourish without judgement. I’ve particularly enjoyed listening to those women who feel as though they have improved their skills and employment opportunities by taking part in the variety of workshops that Flourish holds, and subsequently become more confident and enthusiastic to develop their ideas.
Of course, my time at Flourish has yet to come to an end, and I continue to look forward to the upcoming projects that are planned 2021. Flourish has awarded me with an ever-increasing knowledge of the Social Enterprise world, and I am excited to see what’s in store for this new year!
