1. How has your experience been working with the Superhighways team? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?  

I joined Superhighways straight out of university, and in fact I hadn't even graduated yet (which happened two months later). I often tell people that being Communications and Engagement Officer at Superhighways was the best possible start to my career. 

That is largely thanks to a brilliant team that created an environment where I could learn, grow and thrive. As a smaller organisation, Superhighways gave me the opportunity to take on real responsibility and gain hands-on experience that helped me develop professionally.

What I have enjoyed most is seeing the direct impact of our work.

Meeting charity leaders, staff and volunteers across London through conferences, CVS Development Network meetings, Bring Your Own Tech Days, one-to-one support and more has given me a genuine understanding of the digital challenges facing the sector.  

Knowing that our work helps organisations better support their communities has made my role feel meaningful and rewarding from day one.

2. What's a key skill you've learned from your time with us that you'll be taking with you, and why? 

On a practical level, I've learned how to develop newsletters, manage websites and CRMs, analyse data using Excel, write case studies and so on. These are valuable skills that I'll continue to use throughout my career. 

Alongside the technical knowledge, I've developed important personal skills such as communication, teamwork and adaptability.

One area where I've grown significantly is patience. Through delivering one-to-one support sessions, I learned that effective training is about how well you can meet people where they are. By learning from my colleagues and adapting my approach, I've become much better at tailoring support to different skill levels. 

Above all, the biggest thing I've gained is confidence. Before joining Superhighways, I worked in retail and wasn't naturally confident speaking to new people beyond small talk. But the conversations here mattered.

Here, I was encouraged to facilitate discussions, introduce myself to sector peers, lead presentations and co-deliver training sessions. Over time, I became far more comfortable putting myself forward and stepping outside my comfort zone. That confidence is something I'll carry with me long after I leave Superhighways

3. How have you tackled technical challenges along the way, and what have those moments taught you? 

I've faced plenty of technical challenges during my time at Superhighways, but I've always seen them as opportunities to learn. I joined the organisation with far less experience than many of my colleagues, so I made a conscious effort to learn from the expertise around me.

Whenever I encountered something I didn't know, I tried to be proactive, whether that meant joining Clare's Excel training series, asking Paul for laptop advice, or simply taking the time to explore a new system for myself. 

These experiences taught me that learning is perpetual and non-linear. No one is expected to know everything, and that the best results often come from working collaboratively and drawing on the knowledge of those around you.

4. How did you find our hybrid working model? Are there any tips for how we could improve this experience? 

I work well in both team environments and independently, so having the hybrid working model has worked very well for me - and not just because I live two hours away!

Having predictable in-person days every other Thursday made collaboration much easier, as we could plan co-working, meetings and projects such as Members Updates around the times when the team would be together. 

On days when we weren't together in the office and hadn't seen each other for a while, we would schedule informal 30-minute tea and coffee breaks every week or so to catch up.

As workloads increased and working patterns varied across the team, these gradually became harder to coordinate, however I always found them valuable for maintaining connections and staying in touch with colleagues.

5. How does your faith support your work, and how has the workplace supported you in your faith? Is there anything that could be improved? 

Superhighways and the wider Kingston Voluntary Action team have been incredibly supportive of me practising my faith at work.

This support has been seen in both practical and thoughtful ways, from providing rooms for prayer in the office to allowing me to work from home during Ramadan so I could better manage my routine and energy levels. 

I've also felt very included in social and out-of-hours work activities. Colleagues have consistently considered my halal dietary requirements and made the effort to choose venues, such as restaurants and cafes, that felt inclusive for everyone. 

My faith supports my work by shaping the values I bring to it, particularly patience, compassion, honesty and service. These values have influenced how I communicate in my day-today work, helping me stay intentional and people-centred in what I do. 

In terms of improvements, there is very little I would change, as KVA is already very inclusive. However, if the team diversifies further in the future, it could be helpful to make support for different faiths more visible and centred in the organisation’s policies.

6. What advice would you give to someone new joining the team? 

For anyone joining the team, my biggest advice would be to embrace the role and the impact it has.

Working in the charity sector has been incredibly rewarding because you can see how your work helps charities and community groups build the skills and confidence they need to support their communities. 

I'd also encourage you to make the most of the knowledge and experience around you. Ask questions, get involved in different projects and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. 

If you're early in your career, take every opportunity that comes your way. Some of the most valuable experiences I've had at Superhighways came from opportunities that helped me develop new skills, build confidence and grow professionally.

Final goodbye

As I close this chapter, I'd like to thank everyone at Superhighways and Kingston Voluntary Action for the support, encouragement and opportunities they've given me over the past two years.  

I'd also like to thank the many charities, infrastructure groups and partners I've had the pleasure of working with as Communications and Engagement Officer.

Thank you for reading the newsletters, blogs, case studies and resources I shared, for attending our events and training, and for generously sharing your experiences. Your work is at the heart of everything Superhighways does, and it has been a privilege to help tell those stories and support your day-to-day activities. 

While it's time for me to move on, I'll always look back on my time at Superhighways with gratitude and pride. Thank you for being such an important part of my journey.