24/7 A day in the life of a Valcon employee I Sarah Giles

I typically get up between 7:00 and 7:30am. I currently work one day a week on site at the client’s office and the rest from home. I genuinely enjoy the benefits of working from home, particularly the extra time to cook or visit the gym earlier. However, I also recognise the value of working in the office, fostering connections with colleagues, and maintaining visibility with the client. Face to face collaboration remains an essential element of effective teamwork. 

I am currently working as a project support across two projects for a bank. My responsibilities include ensuring that my colleagues meet deadlines, produce reports, write up meeting notes, engage with stakeholders, and maintain organised documentation storage. Our daily routine begins with a morning stand-up meeting, with a Programme Manager and two Project Managers, two PMOs, and myself. During this meeting, we discuss the work completed since the previous meeting and outline our tasks for the day ahead. This meeting ensures accountability among team members and allows for the dissemination of any crucial information. 

Internally, I am part of the agile capability team, and we have been conducting bi weekly sessions to enhance the Valcon UK team’s proficiency in agile methodologies. Adaptability has become a key skill for me, and I am gaining increasing confidence in my ability to adapt to changing situations.  

I wrap my day up around 5:30pm, depending on my workload. In the evenings, I like to cook as many meals as possible from scratch, working out at the gym, and achieving my daily step count. On some evenings, I volunteer at a local children’s hospice. 

Volunteering Experience with Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice 

Last year, I decided to challenge myself by taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. In conjunction with this challenge, I sought a local charity to support and raise funds for. Upon discovering Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, I immediately felt compelled to support their cause. After raising just over £400 for the hospice, I was invited to tour their facility. Witnessing the kindness and compassion that permeated the hospice profoundly moved me, and I knew I had to become a volunteer.

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, located in Barnet, North London, provides invaluable support to babies, children, and young people with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions, as well as their families, enabling them to cherish each moment. The hospice also offers compassionate end of life care, ensuring that those who face premature death are surrounded by the love and comfort of their families.

My Volunteering Journey 

My initial volunteering role at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice involved spending time with the siblings of an unwell child on a weekly basis. Currently, I am awaiting my new family match and eagerly seek opportunities to volunteer whenever possible. Most recently, I participated in a ‘Hang a Star’ remembrance service held by the hospice, assisting families with parking and ensuring their safe entry and exit from the building. Volunteering opportunities at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice range from accompanying children to events, providing support in the family home or hospice, gardening, and driving. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone seeking to make a positive impact to explore volunteer opportunities in their local area. Even a few days of dedicated service can make a profound difference. 

Last month, a group of Valcon team members volunteered at The Felix Project in Poplar, resulting in the preparation of over 5,000 meals. The experience was very rewarding, and it felt amazing to know that our collective effort provided a warm meal to over 5,000 people. The Felix Project also has a branch local to me in North London, and I definitely want to become more involved with this charity. 

I am enthusiastic about expanding my volunteering activities within the Valcon team and potentially even contributing to the selection and coordination of volunteer activities. I believe that volunteering provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others while fostering personal growth and development.

Want to learn more? If you would like to learn more about the day to day responsibilities of other Valcon employees, please email [email protected] and we’ll be in touch right away.

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