_{The image courtesy Ray Kearney Photography.}

Time has come to say good buy. Two months of volunteering for Volition Community as a Welcomer at Manchester Cathedral transformed into five amazing months. New acquaintances, friendly staff, engaging stories about one of the oldest buildings of the city. Discoveries of Cathedral’s small treasures, like hidden carved bees on chairs’ backsides or a sculptured rebus above the Lady’s chapel. A new organ shining in the sunlight. Cathedral visitors from all over the world and locals coming for peace and seeking shelter from the rain. Other Welcomers and Guides who have showered me with such support and warm friendship. So many things to remember and take with me on my further journey!

In September, I am starting as a Digital Solutions and Technology (UX Design) Degree Apprentice with CDL Software company and Manchester Metropolitan University. There are four years of university studies ahead to achieve a Bachelor’s degree and work in a Tech Insurance world. It is a completely new path for me, as a former watercolour artist with a worldwide selling online business.

Being a career changer and a Ukrainian war evacuee without local history and background, I am deeply grateful for the support Volition’s training programme offered in regards to this my new role. The references provided by Volition and based on my volunteering work in Cathedral played a crucial role in my background checking process with the employer. The two-months training has also shed the light on the differences between British and Ukrainian working culture, and I find this knowledge very valuable. I hope it will save me from several communication mistakes in the future!

Thank you Manchester Cathedral, and thank you Volition for the help and the pleasure of being a part of your everyday life, even for such a short time. I will miss you.

With warm wishes,

Mariia Mykytiuk