TJ says:

"My first experience with SIG was as a participant at SIG Penrose Roots. I started attending the project during my own recovery journey. I started attending many local mental health support groups at this time, but I stuck with Roots, even after I went back to my previous job,because I could feel there was genuine experience behind the service.

I started volunteering, drawing on my background in user experience research in the tech sector to support impact evidence and funding materials. Everyone I met from SIG at this time was welcoming and passionate and I remember thinking that there might be a future for me in the charity sector.

When my current post opened, it felt like an opportunity to start a new chapter in my life. What stood out during the process was how openly my lived experience was valued and how transparent the team was throughout, including the next steps. If you are familiar with getting radio silence from potential employers during recruitment, you know how much that makes a real difference!

Nearly two years on, I still feel privileged to support the people who support some of the most marginalised people in society. I see it as a chance to give back to the charity that helped me, and I am proud to serve as an LGBTQIA+ EDI Ambassador and advocate for the voices of residents and participants in demonstrating SIG's impact.

Even during a turbulent period for the sector, SIG has remained grounded in its values. Since I joined, I have seen real commitment to making sure that staff, volunteers, residents, and participants alike feel safe and respected.

Part of that is their approach to training and development. Despite entering a new sector, I have been able to build my skills in post without being left to figure it out alone.

There is also something to be said for working somewhere aligned with your values, where you do not feel like you are grinding for someone else's profit. I know here that all income raised will have a direct and substantial impact on supporting people.

Mostly, though, it is the people. This is a relatively open and non-hierarchical organisation, and I have met some of the sharpest, funniest, most committed people of my career here.Everyone is given the opportunity to shine and be their best selves.

Across all our departments and services, we are a team working towards the common goal of improving people's lives. And that is a fantastic reason to get up in the morning!"