…tomorrow is my first day integrated back into society and the world of proper work after a brief…. “career break” last year.
Its also a return to my blogging antics which some of you will remember from my 2007 trip round the world. It’ll be a bit like that again. Except without the sunshine. Or tales of sharing hostels with people who could wake the dead with their snoring.
2009 was a weird year after being made redundant but Thames21 came along just before that happened (almost exactly a year ago) and probably saved me from going mad during the long (and continuing) architectural depression. So thanks to them for keeping me sane over the summer, giving me some fantastic experience in something completely different to my former day job, giving me the opportunity to meet some great new people… oh and go to some Hyde Park festivals! And on a speedboat.
So Jan 12th – Mar 12th I’ll be working with Thames21 at their office in Walbrook Wharf near Cannon Street or their office in Bow and I’ll be writing about it here, adding pics and maybe videos. Its going to be the best thing ever*. You can comment below too – don’t be a stranger.
Today was the induction day down in a cold nightclub in London Bridge. Met some of the fellow winners, we were given our goody bags with new phone and generally had the whole process explained. It was all good stuff and it finally hit me today that it is a very special opportunity to do something worthwhile. There were over 1000 applicants so I feel very privileged.
The blogging thing is about spreading the word on how this can make a difference to so many charities who are often understaffed and certainly often under-funded. If it encourages more people to take part next year then we will have done our job. In my case it is also about raising the profile of Thames21 to a wider public – despite now running for over 15 years now there are surprisingly few Londoners who have heard about the work we do to improve waterways in the capital. I’m expecting a bit of a press bonanza over the next 2 months as we push for as much coverage as possible! Apologies in advance for more boring mug-shots (mud-shots?) of me and another shopping trolley etc 
Watch this space people!
*apart from quite a few other things which are probably better.
Ben, good to meet you yesterday – I hope the enthusiasm has prevailed and your first day is going well. I have read your first blog with interest and can relate to some of it – I too was ‘invited’ to take a year off and it was PACT in my case that saved my sanity.
So today comes as abit of a challenge, putting on a suit, shirt and tie to go to work is an unfamiliar sensation!
I shall follow your blogs because (a) it sounds as though they will be a good read (b) I might crib some of your ideas and really (c) because after a brief discussion with you yesterday I am curious to find out more about Thames 21.
Good luck with the placement, hope it’s a blast.
My email address at PACT is alasdair.macarthur@pactcharity.org
Look forward to hearing more about your shopping trolley antics Ben!
Ah goodo, I’ve missed the good old blog updates from you. I just hope you don’t forget all your architectural skills as I’ll still be calling on you to help with the plans for my modern meets classic open plan farm house conversion
Good to see you doing your bit for charity tough, and I hope Thames21 gets some extra publicity and interest too.
Congratulations!! Hope your two months all goes according to plan as I’m sure it will. Looking forward to following your progress. Good Luck!! Cheryl Hutton