It’s rather scary to think how quickly 5 months and 3 weeks has passed at green charity PECT (Peterborough Environment City Trust) not to mention how sad I am to leave. I gained the six month placement through the Future Jobs Fund programme.
Since joining this hardworking charity, I have been lucky enough to work with a variety of brilliant people, each with a mass of knowledge and excitement for the possibility of change.
With the title of marketing and communications assistant, I worked under marketing manager Nyree Ambarchian, who is a true inspiration. Her consistent reassurance and efforts to push and encourage my work ability to the limit has ensured I am constantly challenged.
I think the most memorable thing she has taught me is the idea that, by making the smallest of changes, we are making a far bigger difference.
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Just do something. Pick one thing you want to focus on and stick to it. Whether it's bussing or cycling to work, taking reusable bags to the shops with you, turning the heating down or setting up a water butt in your garden – just pick your one thing and make sure you keep it up. Once you've got the one under your belt it will just become habit and so effort-free that you can pick something else to focus on.”
And I couldn’t agree more. Even since working here, I have become more aware of what I am throwing away, how it could be disposed of differently or even reused. I notice the packaging of foods, where they are from and often swap what I’ve picked up for a more local produce or British farmer in order to support the economy.
I think the easiest and most simple changes to make are things such as;
1. Walking, taking the bus or car sharing in an effort to minimise our carbon footprint. Healthier if you walk, but otherwise it means less carbon emissions and more sense!
2. Buying from local sources/ checking the packaging to ensure we support our local farmers and the economy.
3. Turning off lights, monitors and so on when not in use (so simple!) After a while you do it without thinking.
4. Recycle! If you’re going to drop something in the bin anyway, why not have one for rubbish and one for recycling and dispose accordingly? Once you start doing this, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t started sooner.
5. Reusable bags- They’re sturdy, reliable and easier to carry. You can pick up a reusable bag at practically every supermarket for as little as £2! When plastic bags are thrown away, they can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in a landfill so using one really is win, win.
I’m not claiming to be an environmental goddess by any means, but I have learnt how easy it is to change my habits with very little time and effort. ‘Every little helps’ (to quote Tesco) so rather than telling yourself you know how to become more environmentally friendly, why not try and change something today. Soon enough you won’t even think about it and will have ticked off everything in the list above!
Thank you to PECT and the Future Jobs Fund for finding me such a brilliant and fun workplace and for providing me with the opportunity to learn and achieve so much.
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We know giving up time is a big ask. We promise that the workshop will be stimulating and inspiring. You will receive credit for the ideas you help develop, and although your favourite idea might not selected for further development, at the very least you will get a free lunch!
