featuring EVOLVE WORK AND LEARNING
‘The first time I saw a city bus I was seventeen years old.
I had met him on messenger. People still ask me how I had the patience. I am a patient person, when I know it is worth it in the end. Task-oriented, that is what they call me.
We did not see each other, nor speak, not even once, for six months. We simply ‘chatted’ on msn. After a quick phone conversation, we decided to meet. I took the train from my small town to the city.
Task-oriented, that is who I am.
I bought the ticket in the evening, planned my journey carefully. I was clear-minded and focused throughout the entire operation. Got on the train and watched the yellow fields fly past. We grow rapeseed, and buckwheat, and rye where I am from. You may know some of these as kasza.
Then the buckwheat disappeared and the city came in view. Mainly blocks of flats, a few grandiose old buildings, but only in the city centre. They were grandiose enough for me.
I did not lose my cool. I was going into the unknown, at the end of the day. I must not lose my cool, I must not imagine what is not, I must not throw myself into the unknown.
We met by Wysoka Brama, this big old gate in the city centre. He was not as imposing as I thought he would be. But he was jovial and had this intelligent look about him. We talked about everything. My studies (yes, I was used to being asked about my studies, being top of the class and head girl), my interests, his interests, the local festival. But mainly, he asked me about my future. What did I want to become.
Not many people had asked me this particular question. You see, where I come from, it was assumed that I would marry and set up home. I, however, had ideals and a clear vision of options, of possibility. So when he asked, I knew what to answer. I told him I had always wanted to study and go further than most of my small town neighbours, I just hadn’t known where. But having seen the bus, the big old gate and (well, I did not tell him that) him, I knew, I just knew I had to study there.
And so I did.
And now it is 20 years later, I manage a large business, my husband is your daughter’s godfather and he still tells the story of the time when I told him I had never ever in my life seen a bus.
Task oriented. That is what he calls me still.’
This is Anetka’s story. She lives in Poland, by the sea. She is the wife of my husband‘s childhood friend and godfather to one of our daughters. Anetka is a force not to be toyed with, and when she sets her mind to something, nothing stands in her way.
EVOLVE WORK AND LEARNING
The post above tells a story of ambition, determination and sheer will. It also shows just what can happen when one person truly believes in you. So now let me present to you EVOLVE.
Services like EVOLVE were not popular in Anetka’s time, nor in her part of the world. In fact, services like that were not popular until very recently.
EVOLVE is a brand new floating support coaching service, in Brighton. The service works with adults living in supported accommodation across Brighton and Hove, who wish to take steps towards education, volunteering or work. The idea behind it is that everyone can achieve their true calling, as long as they have access to equal chances.
EVOLVE provide a personalised service. You can choose between one-to-one appointments, daily drop-in sessions, citywide work and learning events or their own workshops. The meetings take place in a newly refurbished space – Café EVOLVE. A hub offering support to pursue and sustain work, learning and volunteering goals, it connects clients, peer-mentors, volunteers, coaches and partner agencies.
The team at EVOLVE Work and Learning are planning to also offer one-to-one online advice and support. By supporting them, you will allow the online branch of the service to come into being.
There is much more information about EVOLVE here. Watch out news on their website or follow them on Twitter and Facebook to find out how you can get involved to fundraise for them.