Like many young people Natasha was working in a sector that was not part of her planned career path. This is a very normal situation to be in, whether working to earn some much-needed money, to gain experience or transferable skills, we take different jobs for lots of different reasons.  What Natasha really wanted was to be in a job where she could make a difference, that involved working with communities and incorporated her degree subject. To help her figure some of this out she decided to sign-up to the Green Thinkers programme after discovering it on the Real Ideas website.

‘’I really enjoyed the variety of things we did and how hands-on it was from the get-go. I think it was the perfect balance of classroom and activities’’

As part of Green Thinkers Natasha gained experience from working with organisations such as the National Trust and Inner City Seeds, making connections and participating in additional volunteering outside of the programme. She also had the opportunity to collaboratively redesign a green space near Devonport Guildhall, with other programme participants. Through this Natasha was able to flex some of the skills she had developed in her degree course, not only looking at the design of the green space but at the community engagement, participation and inclusion around the space’s development.

‘’I felt really trusted and supported and enjoyed meeting everyone and making connections’’

Following completion of the programme, Natasha is now working on a freelance basis for Vacancy Atlas supporting start-ups, groups, community projects and social enterprises to find affordable spaces to deliver their work from. Natasha was also successful in gaining business and financial support via Real Ideas’ Start Something Programme to further develop Novu (@novucollective) a collective she has developed, for Plymouth based creatives under 35, who want to connect collaborate and create. Natasha has also been successful in applying for a Member Technician role at Market Hall with Real Ideas, this will involve working with the 360 immersive dome!

Find out more about Green Thinkers here!

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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Nature Plymouth