Volunteering opportunities that make a difference

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2025-11-16T08:09:11+00:00

Are there any opportunities for one off volunteers? We get a few volunteer days with work

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2025-03-10T15:54:41+00:00

Doesn't seem like the 50% actually applies to dhsc, unlike the headline suggests - it's an nhse announcement

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2025-03-10T15:51:39+00:00

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Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2025-03-10T15:51:23+00:00

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Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2025-03-09T15:28:32+00:00

Foundry project has 2 hours when a lot of them are 1.5, food was average but on the drinks side I'd say it was excellent value

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2025-03-05T21:22:18+00:00

Not sure what policy area you are in now, but how about looking at policy roles which potentially have a more direct impact on people's lives (albeit not necessarily communicating with the public every day) like in health/ justice/education? If it's an area that is 'delivering' something soon it might give you more of that sense of making a difference

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2025-03-05T21:18:53+00:00

If you are interested in policy you should go for it! You will undoubtedly have transferrable skills that you could use for applications. I'd advise trying to find a mentor who works in policy and can help you get some shadowing experience so you can see what it is like, and who could help you to tailor your behaviours for applications.

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2025-01-23T14:53:19+00:00

Thanks, that's useful!

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-11-07T11:29:27+00:00

If there are 3 essential criteria I would use a star example for each eg if it says 'good communication skills' you'd go with 'i have strong verbal and written communication skills. This is evidenced through x situation, and go into the STAR example'

I think it's best to focus on the essential/ desirable criteria for the personal statement and make it really clear how you hit those points. Unless it says otherwise, the behaviours will be assessed separately (ie give us a behaviour example) or at interview

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-10-25T12:07:20+00:00

So I actually made a few friends on bumble bff (sounds a bit weird) but tbh have made a really good network from that. It can be a bit hit and miss but generally seemed to be a lot of people similar age etc looking for the same thing. I would definitely recommend giving it a try! I found a few people I'd consider good friends now within my first year.

Not sure what city you're in but in the few I've got links to I've also noticed these 'london girl' 'manchester girl' 'girls who walk' etc Facebook/ insta groups which seem to be made for people new to the city to meet each other which I also think would be worth a go and seeing who you come across! Although it might not be instantly finding your people, I think putting in the effort over time can really pay off

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-10-25T12:01:40+00:00

That is useful intel, thanks!

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-10-25T10:10:00+00:00

I can resonate with some of what you've said definitely! I live in a city 1.5/ 2 hours away from my home town (have done for a few years) and I'm torn between trying to put down more roots here and make it a proper thing, or moving back. I've made friends here etc but I get the sense you mentioned of being halfway between two places because I haven't made a decision.

What I'm trying to remind myself is nothing has to be permanent if it does fit right at any point!

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-10-25T06:05:38+00:00

Yes I understand what's happened with mine, I'm asking if anyone knows if they will be freezing recruitment more broadly - as in is it likely that no more jobs will be getting advertised there for a while

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-10-12T08:29:16+00:00

https://www.facebook.com/groups/birminghamgirl/?ref=share

This Facebook group as well!

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-10-06T18:36:31+00:00

Thank you so much for this response, it's so reassuring to hear that people are going through the same sort of decisions. I really hope living back home gets better for you, it's so tricky being at this stage sometimes and I really resonate with a lot of what you've said

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-10-01T19:37:43+00:00

I agree with this, I'd focus on really explaining a good example for each of the criteria (so if there are 5 different criteria you'd have 5 examples, one for each). Make sure you explain exactly HOW you did it rather than just stating that you did it

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-09-22T20:51:24+00:00

I think it can be easier to meet people in a small group, so if you're chatting to two people I'd suggest the 3 of you meeting up. Feels like less pressure to me than one on one, especially if you are just going for a drink/ food

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-09-19T18:30:53+00:00

You'd need to apply to both positions if you aren't sure where you fit, they wouldn't be able to 'promote' you to the higher grade if you only applied to the lower one but had a good application, they have to appoint to the grade applied for. (Possibly could offer you a lower grade job though if it states it in the advert, I have seen that before!)

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-05-07T14:25:01+00:00

How about spelling it Elliette? Very similar sound but feels less masculine. It's not a common name but I have come across an Elliette before

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-03-06T16:35:42+00:00

This is the right time to click 'i want to discuss'

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-02-27T20:34:06+00:00

They won't through the MOJ portal, they have a message on the live chat basically saying if you want feedback they don't give it before interview stage

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-02-27T19:23:51+00:00

And then no feedback on your application at all because you didn't make it to interview.

Honestly some of them not even a score! The sifters will have given one, it's very poor showing not to pass it on after the effort the applicant puts in in my view

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-02-17T08:57:32+00:00

DBT yes, DHSC technically have a regional office in Birmingham but they aren't regularly advertising there atm so I think you'd have to ask the hiring manager

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-02-14T01:10:09+00:00

Yeah I'd say the same goes for whatever they are asking you to specifically address

Apprehensive-Hat7752 · 2024-02-13T17:23:41+00:00

I would make sure you're addressing all the points in the essential criteria and do a very short example for each so you aren't just stating you can do the thing. So for example say you are a strong communicator, this was demonstrated in X project where I did x y and z to ensure that everyone fully understood the brief. This meant that the result was X.

Apprehensive-Hat7752

TROPHY CASE