Managers' Conference - Team Talk

Team TalkJulie Jones from our New Invention Post Office is the first Post Office Community Champion. Here she tellsus a little about why she chose to take on the role…“I have worked at the New Invention Post Office for 11 years asa part time counter clerk. I didn’t really know much about ourwork in the community until last year when our Store Managerat the time organised a fun day at New Invention Food store andinvited Post Office colleagues to take part – and what a brilliantday it was! The warmth that you feel from doing somethingsmall, knowing it will help others is unbeatable and I feel verylucky to have had this chance to see how fundraising within yourcommunity can make such a difference to everyone.“I decided to become a Community Champion because mymanager told me about the position and how she thought I wouldbe good at it. I thought that maybe as I don’t know a great amountabout theCommunity teamthat I would beunable to fulfilthe role as wellas someoneelse. However,after talking toLouise Brownfrom theCommunityteam and mymanager, whowere both soencouraging, I realised with some energy andenthusiasm that I could do this! I feel very grateful to actuallyhave the opportunity to take on this extra role within Midcountiesand realise that I need to spread the word about Midcounties’community work.Julie (right) with her colleague Traceyat one of the Post Office’s fundraisers“I recently took part in the Women’s Aid pledge day and thoroughlyenjoyed getting involved and dressing up for the day. We all worehot pink tutus and fluffy pink boppers, we all looked a bit mad butit was a really fun day. I love baking and decorating cakes, so Ispent about 40 hours making some for the day (I even stayedup until 3am the night before to finish decorating them!) andwe managed to sell every last one! Our small Post Office endedup raising nearly £300 and got lots of signatures for the RealMan Pledge. It’s amazing how doing something a bit different canmake people want to know more. As a team, we all felt proud forworking together and achieving something worthwhile.“I believe that there are many people out there that would love toget involved in either community or fundraising projects but theydon’t know how to go about it. I intend to support the Communityteam to the best of my ability but also hope to be able to help mycolleagues within Post Offices to just go for it – a small amount ofenthusiasm is all it takes! The Community team is so helpful andencouraging, you can’t go wrong.”If you’re interested in becoming a community champion,whether you work in Post Office or another part of thebusiness, please contact the Community team on01902 405700 or email communityteam@midcounties.coopSome of the delicious cakes that Julie has made34Team Talk