Paige: my work experience

No one knew what the week would lie ahead for me, but this is one work experience I will never ever forget.

On the Sunday before my first day, me and my Mum went to Crystal Palace so I knew where I had to go on the Monday without getting lost. Me being me thought it would be clever to get my Mum to walk up a hill. All I can say was that it was the worst idea ever. She moaned the whole way up there and it was stop-start-stop-start. It wasn't even that bad! I had done worse before. All I kept thinking to my self was 'Oh dear what have I put my self in for'.
My emotions and feelings were all over the place on the Monday, but I knew all of it would be very worth it in the end. The first day in the office was amazing. Scott showed me around the office and met everyone who was in. It was then time for the first meeting. I was just amazed in how it all works also I got to find out what happens at Beatbullying on a manic Monday.

Because of the riots which have been happening in London, Mum wasn't happy about me going to London on my own. Thankfully she let me go.  The morning was brilliant. I worked with Laura, and young people who came in for Challenge Volunteer. They didn't have a clue about them hopefully training to be CyberMentors. During lunch, we all got called into a meeting to find out some rioters were on their way to Crystal Palace; businesses were closing and shops shutting, so everyone was sent home. Richard offered to drop me back to Crawley. Chloe came for the drive. We were really close to Crawley when we had to stop the car. Me and cars don't get on and I get  bad travel sickness. Finally we got back into Crawley, safely after taking one wrong turning. Thank you Richard and Chloe for dropping me back. This is one day that I will never ever forget!

On the Thursday I was with Jessica and Jenny in Policy and Research for the day. I wouldn't say it was hard but I would say it is challenging. This is cause everyone relies on this team for all the statistics. I did research on bullying in Australia and found out some shocking statistics. Did you know that around 85% of bullying in Australia happens with in peer groups? Nope - I didn't know this until doing the research. After lunch I went around to the staff doing mini interviews about how they got into this career. I found this so interesting to find things out about the staff.

Friday was my last day, and I was sad to go. But once again it was an amazing day! I worked with the sports team with is Scott and Ryan.  I'm not a sporty person, but do enjoy swimming so I thought to my self 'this is going to be a very long day'. When actually I really enjoyed it. I had to make drills up for their workshops. It was really fun doing this. I also did some more interviews with staff.

Paige | August 2010