Continuing in our series of ‘Meet the Team’ blog posts we caught up with our Operations Manager, Shonagh to hear how she’s finding being part of the No.1 Team. 

I have been delighted to take on the role of Operations Manager at the No 1 having joined the organisation at the start of the pandemic, April 2020, as a Volunteer Coordinator (life before the No.1 saw me working in recruitment, managing a local community venue and gaining a degree in Medieval History!). 

 I have worked with the No.1 team throughout the various lockdowns recruiting, managing and supporting volunteers to befriend elderly, isolated and lonely clients. The team has also established an online community through our digital events which we host 3 times a week. Those attending have been sharing music, stories, craft sessions and banter for more than a year now. Thanks to the events and the support of our volunteer digital champions those who began as complete technical novices are now zooming grandchildren and connecting more widely digitally. 

Finding myself now in the role of Operations Manager I am looking to the future. As an organisation we seek to identify and secure resources and partnerships which will allow us to both continue and further develop the high-quality services we offer. It is a challenging environment in which to secure funding at this time but with social isolation and loneliness at an all time high befriending could not be of more importance. When a befriendee told me recently that the calls they receive are the highlight of their week and they actively look forward to Tuesdays at 5pm it confirmed that my passion and drive is focused in the right direction!