Get to know Naomi!

Today we're chatting to Naomi, the newest member of our management team. Hi Naomi, how did you come to hear about Just-Ice and what were you doing before?

Well, I’d just graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in geography and I wanted to settle down close to my family. Being part of a community is also very important to me and I’ve always enjoyed working in cafés.

My friends were telling me about the job vacancy at Just-Ice and encouraging me to apply. Modern slavery has always been an issue close to my heart and when I started reading about Just-Ice I knew it’s where I wanted to be.

What do you enjoy most about working at Just-Ice?

I really love the community atmosphere and the whole team spirit of Just-Ice. Everyone is always looking out for each other which is lovely.

It's also amazing to think of the reason why Just-Ice exists when you're having a bad day. It really helps you to put things in perspective and reminds you that we're all doing something worthwhile.

Lots of people are surprised at how prevalent slavery still is in the modern world. What's the most surprising thing you've learnt about modern slavery since joining Just-Ice?

I think the most surprising thing is knowing how close to home slavery is. Not only are there more people enslaved today than at any point in history, but it's happening in Greater Manchester and Cheshire. There could be people being exploited in Poynton and we just don't know.

I'm also working alongside young women of my age who have survived modern slavery and that's really affected me.

It is really eye opening and leads me on to my next question. How do you manage the emotional strain of working with survivors of modern slavery? I imagine it must be quite intense at times.

Yeah, it is, and there's a lot of praying and a little bit of crying involved!

We're a very close team so we find it quite natural to talk to each other, which is really important. We'll check in on each other to see how we're doing and offer emotional support when we need it.

We also have regular group meetings with Fiona, who is a family therapist. These sessions really help because we can discuss our concerns and anything we've heard which we've found upsetting.

That's really good to hear. What do you like getting up to in your free time to unwind? I know you're a bit of a fellow geek like me!

I am! At the moment I'm building up my tyranid army! That won't mean anything to most people but I'm really into Warhammer 40K, which is painting miniature figures and fighting big battles with them!

When I'm not doing that I like to go running when I get the chance and I also volunteer at my church youth group.

That all sounds right up my street! Right, we'll finish by clearing up a very important issue. Cream scones. What goes on the bottom, the jam or the cream?

Well I've flip-flopped over the years...

No Naomi! You're not allowed to sit on the fence!

Ha ha! Well it's got to be the jam on the bottom hasn't it, which I think is the Cornish way! How are you supposed to spread jam on top of the cream?! It's just not possible!

Thanks for taking the time to chat Naomi!