Work matters doesn't it?

In October last year I made a decision that has changed the course of my life. It was something that people do all the time, some more than others and some far more casually than others I accept. For me it was momentous. After 9 amazing years, I handed in my notice at Bromford Support and accepted a new appointment at Mayday Trust. Oh yeah, so what? Big deal.

Well for me it totally was the biggest of deals.

You see, work, for me; being a part of of team, achieving something amazing, making a difference, getting things done, being inspired and inspiring others, turning up to do the 9 to 5, day after day and actually really caring about my work - all of that is a huge part of who I am.

It's probably sad to admit this but if I won big on the lottery, unlike the 12 bus drivers who recently won £38m (most of whom upon hearing the news abandoned their buses mid-route), I would still get up to go to work the next day and would carry on with the job.

You see 'work', a real actual paying job, helped save me when I lost my parents at age 16/17 years old. It gave me confidence, independance, skills, belief, friends, teamwork, something to wake up for and well, some dosh at the end of it. It changed my life. Work matters. It definetly matters to me.

Youth unemployment, welfare/benefits dependancy and generational worklessness are some of the biggest challenges this nation faces. One in five young people are not in any form of education, employment or training. According to a recent report commissioned by ACEVO, this will cost the public purse £4.8 billion in 2012. More importantly we have generations of young people not being given the opportunity to work, and all the other added benefits that come with it. It matters. It should matter to all of us.

I really love some of thinking coming out of the Foyer Federation and specifically #AdvantagedThinking that focuses not on the problems and deficits of young people but rather on their assets and the talents they could contribute to our world. We need to rethink, change our language, our processes and our systems to refocus and unlock the potential that's out there. At Mayday Trust we are embracing this and challenging ourselves to think and speak differently about the people we work with.

Back to my own momentous decision......

Bromford Support are a fantastic employer, one of the best out there. They also make a difference to the lives of many - colleagues and customers. I was there 9 years - so I know they totally rock at what they do. You can catch them on Facebook and they are pretty good at tweeting - check out @BromfordSupport to see for yourself.

But I knew the clock was ticking on my time with them. It was too comfortable. Along comes an opportunity at Mayday Trust for a Business Development role and an opportunity to work under the leadership of Pat McArdle as their new CEO. I got the job.

I am now 2 months in to the role. I am totally knackered but yet exhilarated. I am learning faster than I can even think at times. I am being stretched and often feel far from comfortable. But that was the whole point wasn't it? We are on a huge journey of change at Mayday and we have a big mission ahead of us. You can follow our work and our journey on Twitter: @MaydayTrust

Mayday are passionate about their work, their history and in changing the lives of people who need support. Last year, Mayday Trust supported over 200 people to access employment, education and training. The outcomes for those 200 people go beyond mere welfare benefit savings and political headlines. Work matters far more than that.

So the course of my life has changed this year. What about yours? And will we change the course of others?

Welcome to my Mission Impossible blog and an exciting year ahead.