Meet our new team member- Edozie

As part of our objective to provide pathways for people to gain skills and training in the environmental and outdoor sector we have expanded our work experience programme this year.

Thanks to funding from Camden Giving we are providing four placements to people underrepresented in the outdoor sector and those disproportionately affected by COVID job losses, in particular, young people under 25, those from BAME backgrounds, those with a disability or caring responsibilities.

Our first trainee, Edozie, aged 21, started in early April - find out how he’s been finding his first couple of weeks working on Hampstead Heath with Heath Hands.

Edozie helping get tools ready for a volunteer session on Hampstead Heath

I was really shocked but very happy when I heard I had got the job! I didn’t think I had done that well in the interview, as I felt I wasn’t confident enough. I was very nervous on my first day but everyone has been very easygoing and friendly and has helped me settle in.

So far, I have been spending time with my manager, Colin, learning how everything works at Heath Hands and on Hampstead Heath. I have also been shadowing other members of the team, such as our Assistant Ranger Jo and Project Assistant Rory, doing an assortment of things: litter-picking with volunteers, gardening, helping with tool maintenance and learning about the Heath.

I had no idea the Heath was so big! Despite living locally, I always thought Hampstead Heath was just Parliament Hill.

Admiring the view at the top of Parliament Hill

The job is way better than I expected. I thought I was going to be a janitor, but this much more interesting and varied!

One of the best things about the job has been the people. I really like people with a sense of humour. Everyone has been very understanding of my lack of skills and general fitness, and each day I go home tired but with a sense of achievement. My mum is pleased I’m getting more exercise too!

Climbing to the top of Parliament Hill was tiring as it’s so high, but it was worth it for the view.

Over the next 10 weeks of my placement, I’m hoping to get better knowledge about the Heath, more confidence in myself, a sense of achievement, a better outlook of working in teams, and improved fitness - I’ve already made a good start on all of those!

Edozie and Colin ‘working’ outside the Ice House on Hampstead Heath