I really didn't know what to expect when I first became involved in Civil Service Local, but it's been a great opportunity for me to network and learn more about the wider Civil service.
To be totallyhonest - I've met colleagues from organisations I had never even heard of before!
It's been a wonderful chance to learn about other departments and the wider public sector too. I've spoken to people from local government about community projects and it's really opened my eyes. The citizen programmes that our people have worked on for Civil service Local clearly ignite a passion and I've been humbled by their achievements. I've also been lucky enough to see our people development programmes at work and that's been an inspiration. I was invited to the Academy last September, and just like the delegates - I was pushed right out of my comfort zone when Kathie Bates, our Local Co-ordinator asked me to give an impromptu presentation on stage.
I've taken the passion and the enthusiasm I've witnessed at Civil Service Local events and tried to replicate that in the workplace. Only this week, we've launched our own development programme which I hope will give more of our people the confidence to volunteer for some of the opportunities on offer.
At the recent event in Manchester, I enjoyed meeting John Manzoni, our new CEO but I also really enjoyed hearing updates on all the programmes. I also thought the World Café was a brilliant idea. It was a reminder for me of what can be achieved and what a worthwhile developer of our people Civil Service Local is. I also managed to pick up a huge bag of fresh prawns at the warehouse next door before I set off home so it was a great day all round.