The second instalment in our series of #throwbackthursday posts is all about Jo P. Not only is she the longest serving of our freelance writers, she’s actually the longest serving member of the team full stop, having been with us since the very beginning.
2013: a year of big decisions
After almost 10 years working in NHS communications as part of a 20-odd year career in public relations, in 2013 I decided to make the switch to freelancing. At the time, I was Head of Communications for a social enterprise delivering NHS community services in Nottingham City. I had succeeded in reaching the most senior position I could where I was, but I wasn’t getting the job satisfaction I needed. I had decided that I wanted to step back to focus less on strategy, meetings and running a team, and more on the part of the job I love the most – writing. I knew Sorted’s director, Ali, from previous roles so arranged to meet with her to discuss how we might work together and the rest, as they say, is history.
Essentially, my goal back then was just to get a better work life balance and spend more time on the part of the job I was best at. I knew it was time to make a change, but I also wanted to continue working with the NHS as I love playing my part in it.
Achieving the perfect balance
Over the last decade I think I have been able to achieve the balance I was looking for. I have enjoyed spending more time in the area with my dog, getting more involved in my local community and developing a greater sense of belonging that’s difficult to get when working full time in an office in the city.
My working days usually start quite early – if I’m busy, it means I get going as early as possible; if it’s a quiet day, I can finish early and get out and about! I enjoy the natural peaks and troughs of freelancing. When I’m really busy, every day brings a new challenge to overcome and when there’s less work to do, I can refresh my thoughts and recharge my batteries.
I’ve learnt a lot too. If I could go back and give my 2013 self some advice, I would tell her to get a home office set up from the start (but not to buy a swivel chair – they don’t last) and make sure you have a heater for your feet in the winter – cold feet don’t support concentration! Also, I would reassure her that while working remotely delivers some challenges, it also enables you to provide your best services and get satisfaction in your work.
I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved over the last 10 years and look forward to the next 10 and what the new, wider Sorted team can deliver together.
Looking forward to 2033
As much as I love my work, by 2033 I hope to be well on the way to retirement, or at least making plans for the next stage of the future. I think it will be an interesting time for comms (particularly for technophobes like me) as we continue to adapt to and adopt new technologies and ways of reaching people. So much has changed in the past couple of years alone and I learn so much from colleagues at Sorted about new communication channels and how to use them. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that pace of change continues throughout the next decade.
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