Having worked in the crazy world of Stage Management for over a decade and then taking on a few Project Management roles, I decided to make a change in direction and get a better work-life balance. I successfully applied for Project Co-ordinator for The Café, then progressed to Communications Co-ordinator. It’s a fantastic and varied role, covering communications for over 300 cafés, driving charity activities and business messaging. We’re a small team in a big business, it’s the best of both worlds! I love getting up every morning and feeling like I make a difference. Planning the annual conference was really exciting: after sending out a weekly video for the months leading up, everyone was greeting me like some sort of celebrity!

The benefits are great, too: working in The Café gives me five days more holiday than I had in my previous job, and my colleague discount means I love shopping more than ever now. As for work culture, the people are honest, friendly and always approachable, with a real mix of ages and backgrounds: I’ve always felt included despite my previous career.