Evon Chandrasegaran is a final-year undergraduate student at The University of Nottingham who recently completed a 10-week placement at the Ann Craft Trust. We asked her to reflect on her time with us.
My role at The Ann Craft Trust involved working across the operations and marketing team. This gave me insight into multiple aspects of The Ann Craft Trust’s operations.
Over the course of my placement, I gained skills in research and data handling. I also came to understand the impact of data analysis in marketing. I saw how spreadsheets of data can influence a campaign’s targeting and reach. Through researching potential links with partner organisations, I learned about many new aspects of safeguarding.
Safeguarding in the Workplace
One aspect of safeguarding that stood out to me was whistleblowing, and safeguarding in the workplace. I feel like some workplaces do not prioritise safeguarding. They treat it as a brief formality, when they should work to integrate it across their organisation.
The first step would be to acknowledge the gaps in safeguarding. Organisations could then set an example from top to bottom, and implement safeguarding as a requirement rather than an option. This would help create a safe and respectful environment
Throughout my placement at The Ann Craft Trust, I have seen the effects of prioritising safeguarding first-hand.
The culture here is based on respect and active listening. This lays a strong foundation for the charity to grow sustainably, ensuring the safety of its staff along the way.
It has truly been an honour witnessing such a healthy organisational culture. I realised that this is how a work environment should feel.
This experience has highlighted the importance of safeguarding in the workplace and beyond, and the beneficial results of working towards a safer culture.