In about an hours time I'm off for my summer holidays. Already the roads on the way into work were quieter this morning - a sign that the schools are due to break-up this afternoon.
Searching for some sun and relaxation (!?) - without a laptop or pile of papers - or at least away from the desk/building - this really only seems to happen once a year now, but you know I have left some lists, but lots of other things not completed, but they will still be there when I get back. The place will still be standing and operating whilst I'm gone.
Friday 29 June 2007
Wednesday 27 June 2007
Two Tears
On Friday within two hours of each event I was faced with the extremes of community life - right here in CCH. One was the tears of an upset elderly lady, who was feeling vulnerable, threatened and bullied. The other the tears of laughter and joy from some young people delivering a presentation/drama.
With the first I felt my blood boil, and the need to ensure that this does not happen to this person again - something which is within my ability to influence. Even with the solution implemented my anger did not subside.
With the second my conviction on the positive impact CCH has on lives, and on turning round those who need help and focus, was once again reaffirmed.
This can be a stressful place to work. This can be a rewarding place to work. This place changes lives.
With the first I felt my blood boil, and the need to ensure that this does not happen to this person again - something which is within my ability to influence. Even with the solution implemented my anger did not subside.
With the second my conviction on the positive impact CCH has on lives, and on turning round those who need help and focus, was once again reaffirmed.
This can be a stressful place to work. This can be a rewarding place to work. This place changes lives.
Monday 18 June 2007
A life of contrasts
On Friday I had a important meeting with a funder on the audit and progress of a number of issues surrounding £157k's worth of work. Important and high level, with phases like "strategic" and "public pound" and "service level agreement" peppering the conversation it felt work of value and the kind of thing a Chief Executive would do.
On Saturday I was part of the team supporting a Wedding catering and function being held at CCH. Tasks ranged from plating food, serving, tiding -up and generally helping to make sure that the event went well, and that guests enjoyed the event.
A life of contrasts perhaps, but in reality each vital in it's own way to the operation, reputation and future of CCH. Sometimes these things happen over the course of a few days, but I have also had these extremes within a working day (and is the reason why I always keep a pair of jeans and T-shirt in the office, as well as the business suit!). Who can say working in a social enterprise is routine???
On Saturday I was part of the team supporting a Wedding catering and function being held at CCH. Tasks ranged from plating food, serving, tiding -up and generally helping to make sure that the event went well, and that guests enjoyed the event.
A life of contrasts perhaps, but in reality each vital in it's own way to the operation, reputation and future of CCH. Sometimes these things happen over the course of a few days, but I have also had these extremes within a working day (and is the reason why I always keep a pair of jeans and T-shirt in the office, as well as the business suit!). Who can say working in a social enterprise is routine???
Monday 4 June 2007
Of place and buildings
Laurence Demarco writes in his latest email from senscot (www.senscot.net) of his experience of place - in fact of being at the same spot, in different times and different buildings. This weekend I was reflecting on CCH but not as an organisation, but as a building. This is probably inspired by the act we have an architect working on determining the specifications of our planned refurbishment.
It has always struck me that CCH as a building has a very special history, built by subscription in the 1920's, completed in 1923, with the inheritance even then of the Lewis Organ (itself built in 1889). Built with the foresight to be a community resource, which 80 years later is exactly what it does full time. Oh and the religious link is not lost either, as it now hosts three different groups across the week.
The challenge of the refurbishment is to update the building for 21st century use, but not lose the heritage of the place, and it's character - for we are only stewards of it.
It has always struck me that CCH as a building has a very special history, built by subscription in the 1920's, completed in 1923, with the inheritance even then of the Lewis Organ (itself built in 1889). Built with the foresight to be a community resource, which 80 years later is exactly what it does full time. Oh and the religious link is not lost either, as it now hosts three different groups across the week.
The challenge of the refurbishment is to update the building for 21st century use, but not lose the heritage of the place, and it's character - for we are only stewards of it.
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