I was placed into the AFC Community Trust as a part of the 12 week SHMU (Station House Media Unit) course I am currently undertaking. All the individuals doing the SHMU course alongside myself, we were all separately given a work placement for the week.
The group and I had visited Pittodrie for a day a week before I began my work experience, we were given and tour and did an activity called a “Health Walk” where basically the AFC Community Trust team would invite some elderly individuals to come and have a walk, afterwards enjoy some tea, coffee and biscuits. I got a good insight on what I would be doing the week with the AFC Community Trust team.
On my first day, first thing in the morning there was a meeting of around 7 people and myself, all sat around a table, We were going around the table, each person talking about a report of their duties. I was up next, I told everyone around the table about myself, what I enjoy, my hobbies and interests and about my website. I will admit I was nervous and I have always considered myself as a quiet, shy person. But upon speaking I felt more comfortable and when I was finished, relieved. I feel like the previous time I have spent at SHMU has built up my confidence, giving me the ability to speak clearly and more openly. Later on in the day I was doing some office duties, and then in the afternoon we done something called “Alternative Therapies” where we went to an elderly housing unit, the team help the people that stay their engage in fun effortless activities, right from the comfort of their own chair, the activity that was on while I was there was bowls, I even participated and it was great fun! I loved seeing everyone enjoy themselves, having a good time and a laugh, and of course afterwards was a break for tea, coffee and biscuits.
Then we moved onto day two, where I was involved in another health walk in the morning, this one was around Duthie Park and lasted an hour, while It was ongoing, I was talking with some of the elderly participants. Introducing myself to them, as well as just having a general chat. It was great to get out and about, and once again seeing all the enjoyment coming from the participants, it would make anyone smile. In the afternoon I helped plan and create a warmup activity which was used later on in the day, after doing so it was time for “Footy Tea”. Myself and two members of the community trust team (Tommy & Iain) went to Seaton primary school, collecting a fair amount of the children wanting to take part in football and activities, taking them to the sports village, also in Seaton. Once there, I was observing how the team worked with the young ones, as they were providing them with lots of fun football based activities and football games themselves. Afterwards the “Tea” part came, we all made our way back to Pittodrie and got seated in the canteen, where fish and chips was provided for the evening meal, as well as drinks.
On Wednesday, I got to visit the marketing team, seeing how they operate, manage the AFC & AFCCT websites and social media, as well as anything else such as, producing fliers, leaflets, posters etc…I got some of my unknown questions answered, and a good perspective on how things are run. Wednesday afternoon I was out to Northfield academy with some of the team members. Once again I was observing, but this time it was football trials, I was seeing how the team comes together to making a decision on picking the right players. Now on Thursday I was doing office duties throughout the morning, working on a 60s quiz for the afternoon programme, which was “Active Reminiscence”. Once again me, Tommy and Iain went to the sports village in Seaton. This time some elderly individuals met us there, and we went on to play table tennis, It was fantastic, I was participating quite a lot in this one and had some good chats with the people there and then again afterwards was tea, coffee and biscuits. Then getting back to Pittodrie to finish some office duties and tasks. Friday my finale day was more relaxed, I went to Duthie Park again, to enjoy some fun activities and a sit back in the sun.
To sum my week up, it has been phenomenal and the experience I have gained from doing this is incredible, it is definitely quite the variety I have been involved in, I’m grateful and glad to have been given this opportunity. The members in the community trust team are as friendly as can be! They made me feel right at home, as if I was a part of the team itself. The whole week has been amazing and I’ve met a lot of lovely people, thank you to AFCCT for having me, it has been a blast!
