Masters, MTV and Mustard Trees

Its been a while since we've posted, but it ain't cos nothing's been happening! Quite the opposite, in fact. Things are getting busy, but are good.

Andy has of course dived in headfirst to his new job as project manager at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, taking on a huge variety of clients ranging from Firefighters from around the world, horse veterinarians, and the MTV music awards! Never a dull day, eh. He also found himself dangling from a zip-wire on a high ropes course when the arena took all the employees for a day of bonding and team-building...

As for me, as I was still waiting for my Masters course to begin I picked up some weekend bar work at a comedy club and substituted it with full-time volunteering at a charity for the homeless/ destitute called The Mustard Tree. (Its a somewhat chaotic, underfunded, understaffed agency where everyone is a little bit crazy but all heart, so of course I fit right in.)

Crazily, within a week of volunteering there I was offered the chance to apply for a new paid position coming up, co-directing a new program that has just received funding. I applied for it as a part-time job-share position, and got the job!!! I'm not quite sure what makes me think that I am capable of a) setting up and running a whole new program or b) doing it while doing a full-time Masters course, but either way it promises to be a busy year. The project I'll be coordinating will be there to help those with limited employment prospects reenter the workforce, through an in-house training program, followed by an external placement, with ongoing mentoring throughout. Pretty exciting stuff!

If you want to know more about the work the Mustard Tree does and meet my new boss Paul, there's a (rather lengthy) video kicking around on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ParachuteMediaLtd

Oh, I also started a photography club for some of the clients there, with a view to exhibit some of their pic at a fund/awareness raising event in October, hosted by an artist collective in Manchester. Watch this space for your invite! :)

Next week I start my Masters in Social Work and my new job at The Mustard Tree. Should I survive on either count, I will report back...