My biggest achievements
Stepping outside of my comfort zone
One of my proudest achievements has been developing my confidence in public speaking. It’s something that once felt quite daunting, but I’ve had some fantastic opportunities to challenge myself, step outside my comfort zone, and discover what I’m capable of.
In May 2026, I was invited to Northampton Town Football Club’s end-of-season dinner, where I presented the Women’s Footballer of the Year Award in front of over 500 people! It was my first time speaking in front of a crowd, and what a way to start! Although my speech consisted of just six words, I can confirm that the nerves were very real.
My second opportunity came in June 2026, when I represented Commsave Credit Union at an event attended by around 20–30 people. This time, I delivered a two-minute talk about Commsave’s products, services, and positive impact on the community. While the audience was considerably smaller, it was still nerve-racking!
Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of myself for embracing these opportunities rather than letting my nerves hold me back.
Each experience has helped me build confidence, develop my communication skills, and prove to myself that I can rise to a challenge.
Planning, organising, & dancing
In August 2026, Commsave Credit Union celebrated its 35th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, we hosted a Gala Dinner!
Working alongside my senior colleague, Caitlin, I was responsible for creating email invitations and RSVP forms for our Chief Executive’s guest list, preparing communications to keep guests informed, and liaising with external suppliers. I also coordinated with our fantastic DJ (who certainly got everyone dancing!) and created a video timeline celebrating Commsave’s 35-year history.
I attended meetings with the hotel to discuss catering, timings, and room arrangements, helping ensure everything was organised for the big night. While Caitlin led on the room decorations, I focused on coordinating the communications, entertainment, and other essential details that helped bring the event together.
As the evening approached, I was excited but understandably nervous. After two months of planning and coordinating, there was only one thing left to do: hope it all came together! Thankfully, the night was a huge success, and seeing everyone enjoying themselves made all the hard work worthwhile.
I’m incredibly proud of my contribution to making this event a success. The experience strengthened my ability to manage multiple tasks, communicate with external stakeholders, work under pressure, and take responsibility for important details from the initial planning stages through to delivery.
Thirty-five years of Commsave, two months of planning, and one fantastic evening – I’d say we did pretty well! (Completely unbiased, of course.)
Building skills, confidence, & a future
I’ve shared two of my proudest achievements, but there’s one that will always stand out above the rest: my apprenticeship.
At the time of writing, I still have around six months left to go, but I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come. Balancing my apprenticeship coursework with my role at Commsave Credit Union has certainly tested my organisation, time management, and patience! There have been plenty of deadlines to juggle, but each challenge has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
In September 2026, I attended Starting Off’s Apprenticeship Day, where my senior and manager nominated me for the Apprentice of the Year award. Although I didn’t take home the award, being nominated was an achievement in itself. It showed me that my hard work has been recognised, that my colleagues believe in my abilities, and that they have confidence in me to complete my apprenticeship successfully.
The support and encouragement I’ve received from my colleagues and manager over the past 18 months have made a real difference. They’ve helped me believe in myself, recognise my own potential, and feel more confident in what I can achieve.
I still have a little way to go, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and excited to see what the next six months bring. The qualification will be fantastic to achieve, but the confidence, skills, and self-belief I’ve gained along the way are just as valuable. And if I can balance coursework, work responsibilities, and deadlines along the way, I reckon I’ve earned a little celebration!