Welcome to September '08!

Hi... I'm Caroline Woodward and thanks to Sue for inviting me to be the guest Black Belt Dojo blogger this month.

I am a Communications Manager at Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)... and spell it out as not to question your intelligence but more as lots of folk confuse us with the birds or lifeboats! I've worked for RNIB now for some 11 years, which pains me to write that in terms of staying in an organisation for such a long time. The truth is I've come into my comms role with a PA background and was given the break into comms when this position became available. I've been in my current role now for 7 years and it's started out as a one man band, and now we're at the stage of becoming 4... hopefully by Christmas (just at the stage of recruiting now). Was good fun mind you, being on my own (to a point!) and there was never a dull moment. I'm now spending more of my time doing half external comms work as well as internal work and do a lot of heading off to local schools and sharing information around sight loss - educating our young folk that blind people can do the same as everyone else; just in different ways. Will probably natter more about that as I go this month! I have to admit, the latter is one of my highlights to me. It's such a great priviledge to help children change/gain a positive perception of any kind of disability.

Changing the subject slightly... I'm quite new to the world of blogging so quite excited about being on board this month... I'm on leave for a couple of days at the moment but will be back and will write more. Am a working mum so having the last 2 days of the summer hols with my 8 year old son, before he heads back off to school on Weds, and off we go again with the parent/work juggling thing! :-)

Caroline

Comments

[Steve Evans]

Hi Caroline,

Congratulations on becoming a guest blogger on the site. I did it earlier in the year and really enjoyed it.

I would love to hear about what it's like working for a comms team for a charitable organisation. I am currently looking for a new role and I am particularly interested in this sector.

Also, don't fret about staying in an organisation for such a long time. In my opinion, there are to many '2 year' people who hit an organisation for 2 years then move on. I don't think you can really get to know a brand unless you absorb yourself fully within it. I have been at easyJet for ten years myself and wouldn't change that for the world.

I'll look forward to reading more!

Steve

[Nicky Flook]

Hi Caroline,
I'm guessing that the purpose of your organisation has a really strong influence on the approach you take internally - so cannot wait to hear what approaches you've gone for.

Enjoy your last day at home!
Nicky
Mandarin Kite