Get to know Mike!

Hi Mike. Please could we start by you telling us a little bit about what you do?

Well, I work as a marketing and admin assistant for Just-Ice. In a nutshell, I'm responsible for helping to raise awareness of our cause and to promote Just-Ice.

My main responsibilities include writing our fortnightly e-newsletter, managing our social media, and looking after our website.

The other part of my job is helping Jo (our Chair of Trustees) with the general admin of running a charity.

You've also helped with setting up the new technology in the café such as the TV screens. Have you always been interested in technology and computing?

Ha ha, yes, I'm a bit of a geek really! I think it comes from having two older brothers who also like computers.

My eldest brother was an IT teacher and I used to go to him if I needed help. His stock reply was 'Just Google it!', which I always thought was a bit mean! However, it taught me how to use my initiative to solve problems.

When people at my church have an IT problem they often come to me and Googling the answer still helps more times than not!

Were you aware of how prevalent modern slavery and human trafficking is before you started working for Just-Ice?

I'm rather ashamed to say that I didn't. Like many people, I didn't give it much thought as I believed slavery was something largely from the past which you learn about at school.

It's for this reason that I'm so passionate about Just-Ice and raising awareness of modern slavery. It's such an evil crime and is largely unseen, so most people aren't aware that it's happening in our communities.

Working for Just-Ice is a real eye opener. I vividly remember one of the beneficiaries opening up about their experience. The pain and frustration of the time lost when they were trapped in slavery was clear to see. Time is so precious and nobody should have it stolen from them.

It must be difficult listening to these awful experiences. I imagine it's also uplifting working for Just-Ice and seeing the difference it's making?

It really is, but we couldn't do it without the support of our amazing community. Everyone is so encouraging about what we do and we're so grateful for their support. Don't underestimate the difference you're making. Just telling someone about Just-Ice or how to spot the signs of modern slavery is so important!

What do you enjoy doing to unwind away from Just-Ice?

As I've said, I'm a bit of a geek, so I love playing Dungeons & Dragons and board games. Not Monopoly though, proper board games with meeples like Carcassonne and Power Grid (Google them if you don't know what a meeple is!).

I paint the miniature figures we use for Dungeons and Dragons and I completely lose myself in this! Very geeky but geeky is cool!

I enjoy running (short distances!) and getting out into the countryside. I also admit I'm slightly obsessed with guinea pigs and have three of my own!

Do you think Just-Ice should sell ice cream for guinea pigs?

Absolutely! What a brilliant idea! Perhaps we could finally make the broccoli flavour Bob (one of our delivery drivers) keeps encouraging us to make!

Is there anything else you'd like to say?

I'd just like to thank everyone who takes the time to say such kind things about my work when they see me. It really is so encouraging to hear our message is being received and people appreciate what we're doing!