Work Experience With Jaime White Work Experience 22nd July To 3rd August At Forty Hall And Estate

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July 6, 2015, 10:16 a.m.

Jaime White from Highlands School completed her two weeks work experience at Forty Hall. Below is her daily blog of her time working behind the scene with the team.

Monday 22/06/15

My dad dropped me off at work experience. I arrived at Forty Hall and Estate at 9:30. Firstly I was introduced to my supervisor, Gavin, and then brought into the office. I was then given an introduction to my work experience and a tour around the ground and 1st floor. I was given a key to my locker to put my bag in and I was given a pass to have access into the staff only areas. I was then introduced to some other people that will be supervising me and working with me called Hatice, Helen and Zoe. I was assisted to work on the Forty Hall Education page on the internet. I was helping one of my supervisors to improve that part of the website. Afterwards, I sorted out a couple of random things such as; the lost property, checking the first aid and updating the asset numbers on the desktops on all floors. Then I had lunch and a break. I then sorted out a tool box into a new one until I left at 4:20. My mum picked me up.


Tuesday 23/06/15

Today I was again dropped off by Dad. I wasn’t greeted as I was yesterday. It was very crowded because Forty Hall was open to the public. I waiting for my other supervisor, Kirsty, and she came I was assigned to help bring stock from the top floor down to the gift shop. I was then introduced to a part time worker, Maddy, and we rearranged the middle table where the gifts are and then we went to the top floor and got my stock for the shop. Then I had lunch and a break. I continued to help with the first aid boxes with Gavin and sorted out all three. Then I got called to the middle floor to help Hatice with some research and admin. I did that till 4:20 then got ready to go home. I made me way home.

Wednesday 24/06/15

I made my way to work today but I was 10 minutes late. Straight away Helen sent me to work. I had to put 20 pieces of paper in each folder, that was to be used by a primary school. Helen and I were both leading; I was sub-leading, a primary school having activities around Forty Hall and gardens. I was helping one or two groups who needed help with the quests, questionnaires, map and trails. When it came around for them to have lunch I did too. I didn’t make my own lunch so I bought it from the café opposite from the long gallery. After the visit from the primary school I was called to sort out the folders and place them separately in brown slips. Then Helen showed me how to use the digital microscopes which would be needed for tomorrow. Afterwards I had more folders to sort out. That consumed time up until 4:20 when I left.


Thursday 25/06/15
Today I was on time. I came in and was greeted by Shahana one of my supervisor that I’m working with tomorrow. Firstly, I helped Helen with the next primary school visit and learnt how to use the digital microscope for when the kids will use them. I helped throughout the whole visit and even lead a group to look for any natural plants in walled garden. In between that when they had lunch I had a 15 min break then I got ready for the next set of kids to help out. After all that I cleared up the room with help from volunteers and Helen. Then I put up the tables up and helped Helen put them in the grand hall and the parlour for the set up for tomorrow. Afterwards I helped Gavin build the stage for the concert tomorrow. Then went up to the time I was leaving and after I left I took the bus to Enfield to get something to eat with my friend.


Friday 26/06/15
I arrived before 9:30 today. I came in and was greeted by Rihana and Shahana. I was first told to start make the press cuttings with Shahana. Basically press cuttings are when you take an article that is about Forty Hall and demonstrate it in a booklet for visitors to read. Then I printed out the formatted press cuttings and put them in the booklet available for the public to see. Afterwards I cleaned the whole kitchen and brought up white mugs and white plates to the second floor. I was then given a task to put sheets into the Forty Hall information booklet. Then I went to lunch. After lunch I had a bit of a break then I helped Gavin with the set up for teachers meeting later tonight. Then I got some extra stuff for the meeting for upstairs and brought it down. I left about 20 minutes after 4:00.


Monday 29/06/15
Today I was just on time. Firstly, I updated the volunteers’ database and sent them all emails telling them the available jobs to take. Also within that email I put an attached document with the application form. I then shredded the remaining papers. Afterwards I was set a task to check all the keys all around the house. I was given a map and a list of the keys and where they were. I was to get a few keys at a time figure out where they were and see if they open and close. It was difficult because some of the keys were numbered wrong and some didn’t completely work. I only reached to 20th key by lunch. I had lunch and then continued right away. In between that I had breaks. By the end of the day I reached to at least the 55th key. I will hopefully finish it completely tomorrow.


Tuesday 30/06/15
To start of my day I had a coffee. I continued on the key check and finished it till Kirsty, who is in charge of the gift shop, asked for my help. I help put out an exhibition on display. Then I refilled the stock. I had finished helping Kirsty so I ask Gavin if he had anything for me to do and he did. My task was to label all the black and gold chairs with labels that say property of Forty Hall and Estate. I finished half way to have lunch then afterwards I continued but upstairs where there was more. I then helped Gavin make boxes that had partitions of 24. They were going to be use for wine glasses and tumblers. When I finished the boxes I filled it up with clean glasses. Afterwards I had a task from Shahana which was to update the key list and update it with my notes from my key check. I finished that until I went home at 4:40.


Wednesday 01/07/15
Today I reached work early. I reached at 9:00. Firstly I went to get a cup of coffee then started work at 9:30. I opened the house with the help of Shahana because I think I’m doing it tomorrow as well. I help Jane with the story telling with toddlers and helped with the hand painting. I then cleaned up and went to Shahana and I continued on the volunteer’s availability and changed the dates. Then I changed the display board and updated it with others. I then when back to key checklist and added my annotations. I gave it to Gavin so he can check it and add more notes then I will rewrite it as my final draft. I did some admin for Shahana such as; folding letters, shredding papers and etc. I had my lunch and a long break until I was called to be at the front desk. But just before that I did some shredding for Gavin that I would continue later. At the front desk I counted how many adults and children have arrived. And hopefully ask a couple for their postcodes. I also check the CCTV for anything. I did this until just before 4:30 to continue on some shredding. I left at 4:45


Thursday 02/07/15
Today I reached the hall on time again. Firstly I finished the Bike/Mobility Hire booking sheet layout. I then helped open the house. I corresponded the exhibitions guide to the price list I was given. I labelled all the items not knowing that later on I had to take them all off. I was only supposed to put them on the stuff in the gift shop. After that I continued with shredding expired sheets for Gavin. I did that all the way through to lunch. I had an extra, long lunch today that was 2 hours. I did some ironing for Zoe and did it all the way through to 4:15. Today I didn’t do that much and tomorrow is my last day.

Friday 03/07/15
In the morning, today, I was put on front desk to welcome people and especially people who booked a room. Unfortunately they didn’t arrive so I was set a task to replenish the herbs in the historic kitchen. I filled up a couple of draws with different herbs. Then I went to the walled garden with Shahana to get some rosemary to put in the kitchen. I then went to the front desk to welcome people to Forty Hall. I had many people come in having enquires about things I didn’t necessarily know about but radioed one of my supervisors to help me. I did all of this up until my lunch although my shift goes till 2:00. After my lunch I went round to each office in the house and asked if they can donate to tea and coffee collection.
It’s my last day working at Forty Hall. I’ve enjoyed it very much that I even want to volunteer later and participate in any upcoming event. I’ve learnt a lot being here. I plan to use this experience to help my employment elsewhere.

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