Angela joined Crest Co-operative in January 2015 and is a Support Worker. As with pretty much all the staff at Crest, Angela has multiple jobs all in one, such as supporting our service users with learning difficulties and disabilities, sorting through textiles, washing or ironing the clothes and tagging them to be ready for the shop, and driving the team to and from their homes. Here’s what she has to say about working at Crest and a chance for you to learn more about them!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was actually born in Essex but have been here since I was very young and grew up in Eglwysbach. I’ve got 4 kids, they’re all grown up now. I have 7 grand kids, no doubt we’ll have a few more additions soon! I joined around five years ago and was only supposed to be here for 20 weeks!
What’s a general day at Crest for you and how long have you worked here?
We come to work and greet our team of service users when they arrive, we normally then go to sort through all the donations of textiles from the public. After that we have a morning break before continuing to go through the donations, washing and ironing the clothes ready for the shop. In the afternoon we concentrate on the shop itself and do the cleaning of the workrooms. We do a fair bit of recycling too! At the end of the day we say goodbye to the service users and fill out paperwork. On certain days of the week the team work with external merchants to load textiles on to their vans. The service users love doing that because it’s different and the driver engages well with them!
What are your work experiences and background?
I used to work in security for six years before I came to work for Crest. Before that I’ve done loads of things – I used to work in a bar for over 20 years, I’ve worked in nursing homes, in retail shops, cleaning, painting and decorating… you name it I’ve done it! I’ve tried most things and there’s nothing I wouldn’t give a go.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to go to Venue Cymru. I like going out for a nice meal. I like to go out socialising with friends. I like going to the cinema – choosing a favourite movie is difficult! It’s got to be either Gladiator or Armageddon!
Can you describe yourself in three words?
Outgoing, ambitious and… troublesome? (laughs)
Any funny stories inside or outside of Crest that you want to mention?
I frightened Rod, our Senior Manager one time! (laughs) He came into our workroom and was facing into it, I was coming through the other door and he couldn’t see me. He was talking to someone else and I just kinda, ‘screamed’ at him!! He literally left the floor!! I won’t repeat what he said to me in response! (laughs)
And finally, what do you know about Crest and what do you hope to achieve in your time here?
I hope we keep expanding and moving in the right direction. We hope to get more service users, we always have room for one or two more! I love our service users because every day is different. We work really well as a team and long may it continue!
Thanks for your time Angela and thanks to you, the reader!