My VSO Journey So Far

For anyone thinking about applying to VSO I thought I would give a brief summary of the past 6 months.

A placement overseas has been something I've wanted to do for a long time. It simply wasn't practical while the boys were small so it went on the back burner. When our youngest son moved out last November we started thinking about the next stage in our lives. We went to a Meet VSO event in Lincoln early in March and I decided to apply.

The application process is very thorough and includes a two stage online application, online video interview and assessment day in London. I heard that I had been successful in mid May. The next step is to match the volunteer to a placement. I completed a CV and profile and waited to see if any partner organisations offered a placement.

I didn't have to wait very long. I heard that I had a placement offer while on holiday in France early in June. This gave us plenty of time to research Uganda and talk through the options before accepting the placement in the middle of June. I then had a wait of a couple of weeks for confirmation of the placement.

At the end of June I handed in my notice at work and starting preparing in earnest with the first two online training courses and a long list of things to find and do.

VSO have helped every step of the way. I now have my passport and visa ready and am busy packing, sorting out my life in the UK and preparing for stepping off the plane in Entebbe. It's going to be a busy weekend and sad to leave my home in York and say 'au revoir' to our many friends. It's exciting and scary both at the same time.

Adventures of the PSC Mug - Part 1

For the past week we've all been in the Lake District for a family holiday. It's been a lovely break between finishing work and the final preparations and packing.

Of course the PSC Mug came with us!

Near our holiday cottage in Portinscale.

Out on the fells. I'm afraid autumn has arrived in the UK and we've had a rather cold and damp week. But the weather doesn't matter when the food and the company are fantastic.

With friends at Honister slate mine.

One of the family!

Sampling the beers on the Hawkshead Brewery tour and tasting!

The End of an Era

After nearly 3 months of handover and completing tasks I had my final day at work yesterday. I'm still officially on holiday for 10 days but won't be in the office. I've been at CVS for over 18 years so can't quite believe yet that I won't be going back.

We had a fantastic leaving event on Wednesday with lots of current and former staff and trustees and some key contacts. Thank you to everyone who came and thank you for all of the lovely cards and presents. It was so good to catch up with everyone.

Note the Priory Street Centre mugs on the table. As is the tradition I was given a mug (in fact 6 on a mug tree) when I left. Watch out for the mugs in future blogs - they are going to travel to Uganda!

Yesterday evening we all went out to an Indian restaurant for dinner. I've heard that there is a very good Indian restaurant in Kampala. It will be hard to beat yesterday evening, good food and good company. Thank you all and I'm going to miss you!

New Beginnings - One Month to go!

Sunday 1st September.

The month of September has always been a new start. A new school / academic year, clubs, societies and village activities starting up again after the summer break and the evenings drawing in. This year, today marks one month before my flight to Kampala. And there's so much still to do!

A returned volunteer has sent me some pictures of Kampala and the other areas of Uganda I will be visiting as part of my work, including this picture of the Old Taxi Park in Kampala.