Who is Willow VA?

I started out in life (post university) as a Prison Officer and Army Reservist. Having studied Applied Forensic Psychology as my Masters I had my rose tinted glasses on and was ready to taken on the worlds problems!

Except that's not how the world works. Between these two roles I swiftly realised that life is a complex blend of greys that sometimes no amount of ideals can change.

I shifted into working in drug and alcohol rehabilitation where I found a great deal of job satisfaction in supporting folks journeys through the ups and downs of life utilising a CBT approach with goal tracking and risk assessments.

These roles took place both in custodial settings and in the community, engaging with a range of stakeholder services, including local councils, police, probation, and other charitable services. 

My first taste of 'proper' admin came in working with a visually impaired client and supporting them in their work in the Food Standards Agency. Taking accurate and concise notes to enable swift decision making was paramount. 

This was bolstered in my following role in a not-for-profit membership association where I was an Executive Assistant, managing projects, suppliers, the office, HR and the general gamete that comes with being the office busybody!

It was like being the person on an airplane runway with light sticks making sure everyone gets to the appropriate gate. 

After the pandemic I moved to working for a global political consultancy which added an extra layer to the work I had grown accustomed to.

Acting in the CEOs stead to manage staff and business activities whilst they travelled helped to bolster my sense that this type of work was what spoke to me! 

Making the move to working for myself has enabled me to continue to doing the meaningful work I enjoy, and spend quality time with my family as they come to an age where they want to start exploring their own routes in life.