Get to know Emma!

Hi Emma! Thanks for taking the time to chat on a very busy morning!

You're welcome! I think everyone's squeezing a last summer treat in before going back to school!

I don't blame them! So to begin with, when did you start working at Just-Ice and what attracted you to the job?

So, I started working for Just-Ice 3 years ago. I was looking for a job with a purpose and where I could feel I was making a difference each day I went into work. I also wanted to work for a Christian organisation which reaches out into the community. When I heard about Just-Ice it felt like the perfect fit!

As one of our assistant managers, a large part of your job is making sure the café's running smoothly (which you all do brilliantly!). People might not be as aware that you are also there to support the survivors of modern slavery we're helping. Can you tell us a little bit about what this involves?

We're paired up with a beneficiary as their mentor and informal work buddy. We support them in any way we can, whether that's helping them with their work in the café or with their life in general.

As their mentor, we'll help them to set goals and encourage them to develop a particular interest. That might be learning to bake or serving customers as they want to build up their confidence.

We check in regularly to see if the beneficiary has any concerns both within and away from Just-Ice. If we can't help we'll try to find someone who can. We'll also celebrate personal victories with them such as finding housing or learning a new skill.

You see the positive change Just-Ice and our fantastic supporters make to the lives of the beneficiaries we support. What do you think are the most important things the beneficiaries take away from their time at Just-Ice?

I think it's the confidence they've gained and learning how to trust people again. They're able to trust not just us, but people in general because of the kindness our community has shown towards them.

It happens gradually, but during their time at Just-Ice the beneficiaries begin to open up and friendships are formed. Sometimes they'll open up about the trauma they've experienced or they might keep this part of their life private, which is totally understandable. As time goes on, they relax more and come out of their shell, which is lovely to see.

Now, our customer's can't fail to notice the beautiful artwork on our windows. They might not know that it's you who creates it! Have you always been able to do window art or is it something you've learnt while working at Just-Ice?

It's a bit of both, actually. I got into calligraphy many years ago during a period when I wasn't very well. I really enjoyed it and found it very therapeutic.

A close friend of Jo's (our Chair of Trustees) used to do our window art and I found it really interesting. When the café was quiet one day I asked if I could help her by doing some of the colouring. She was really enthusiastic and gave me loads of great advice so it just went from there!

Brilliant! How long would you say it takes you to create a new piece of art for our windows from start to finish?

Well, it depends on how busy the café is! Usually it takes me about a day. I like to draw on both sides of the glass to give it a 3D effect which makes it a bit different.

Art is obviously a big part of your life. I know you also create a lot of the wonderful calligraphy and drawings on our signs. I imagine it's something you can get lost in and must be very relaxing?

Yes, definitely. It really helps me to switch off. When I'm painting or doing my calligraphy I'll often pray as well and I find it very therapeutic. It really helps to slow me down.

Well, Emma, I always like to finish with a very important question, if you could be any fruit in the world what would you choose and why?

Oh that's a hard question! I don't think I could settle on one fruit so I'd have to be a fruit salad and then I could be lots of different things!