Fast forward two months and I am coming to the end of what has been an interesting and educating two-week induction period.
When conversations about summer plans started to roll around I had to make a decision. Drag all of my stuff down the M6, or look for something to do so I could stay in Birmingham. Trying to make that decision is how I came across Project Brum. Not long after sending of my application I was invited for an interview, I was so nervous as interviews are not my strong point and then they only went and emailed me to say we needed to wear clothes suitable for activity. I’m used to wearing skirts or smart trousers for interviews so I instantly knew this was going to be interesting. The interview process was the most casual one I’ve ever been a part off, at first it threw me but I settled in and already knew I would get along with some of the others present.
Sat around a table with people I vaguely recognised from my interview I was sure it would be an awkward two weeks induction but the staff at the wellbeing service and the mentors made sure it was easy to settle in and participate. As someone fairly new to Birmingham I’ve enjoyed learning about all the different things the wellbeing service have made available to people in some of the most deprived areas as well as hearing from people who are passionate about what they do. I was nervous before this induction as I haven’t been involved in sport or been particularly active for a long time after contracting meningitis in my teens, I was worried I wouldn’t fit in in the ‘active’ scene. However, I’ve learned that for some people seeing someone who looks like them out there taking part in activities they might not see themselves doing makes them want to take part. I now can’t wait to get stuck in.
As for the people I’ve spent the past two weeks with? I don’t have much to say other than sitting in a room full of people who get just as in to quizzes and Pictionary as you and your siblings do, and who seem to get along from the get go has only made me certain that I’m glad to have the opportunity to join this team.
