Chats with the Trinity team - Jackie

Rachael B.
Nov 20
2 min read

Updated: Nov 23

A conversation with Jackie

For our latest chat in the series where we get to know the Trinity team, we chatted with Admin Manager Jackie, who has been busy organising our upcoming festive celebrations!

Jackie, a white-haired woman wearing a black and white long-sleeved dress, stands in front of reception next to a VE Day flag before an event. She is looking at the camera and smiling

Hi Jackie! You’re a familiar face around The Trinity Centre, having been there a long time. Can you tell us a bit about how it all started and what you do?

I started at Trinity in 2001. That's 14 years ago now! Originally, I was Admin Assistant to the Director (Paul). I was tasked with upgrading the building, in terms of new windows, organising decorating, having new blinds installed and so on. It was a big job at the time!

I was also asked to support the Nursery, which I thoroughly enjoyed. For this, I recruited an artist, who totally transformed the Nursery with amazing murals, which all the kids love to this day. Happily, the Nursery is thriving, along with all the staff that work there.

Trinity's large Hall, which is used as the nursery space during the week, with its colourful murals featuring cartoon animals and the alphabet against primary coloured backgrounds

I went on to become the Centre Manager, for a time, which meant I was responsible for all the staff and all that that entailed, on a day to day basis.

I also created a project for adults with learning disabilities - The Good Life Project, which I absolutely loved. We would have a lunch club, music lessons, cooking and arts and crafts. It was a chance for these adults to do something independently of their parents and carers, which also gave their families some respite.

Members of the Good Life project for adults with learning disabilities enjoy a cooking session — **Participants of The Good Life project enjoy a collaborative cooking session.**

I organised parties for this project too, for different events, usually four times a year. After Covid-19 hit, this project never really recovered. Sadly, we lost quite a few of our members to covid. I always keep my wonderful memories of them close.

How has your role at Trinity changed over the years?

My role changed from Centre Manager to Admin Manager, and I have reduced my hours now - down to two days a week from four.

You play a big part in organising a lot of the amazing events that Trinity hosts, what do you love about that?

I love organising events for the community. This is what this job is all about, the community. When everyone gets together to enjoy an event, it's heartwarming.

Table decorated with Union Jack flags for a community event. — **Guests begin to gather at an event, with tables set and decorations in place.**

Do you have a favourite event from the past?

I have loved them all! My first was the Queen's Jubilee, and it was a great day, but the Good Life Project will always hold a special place in my heart. Every member of that group was amazing, and seeing them happy and thriving made me happy.

What community event (or events!) are you most looking forward to right now?

We have our annual Christmas Party coming up on the 16th December. We'll be cooking a traditional Christmas roast dinner, which the community loved the last time we did it. So much so, they requested we do it again this year!