Articles

Posted by Free Word on 12/1/12

Free Word's newest staff member on fixing printers, the importance of cake and playing Dick Whittington in the Christmas panto.

Hi Siobhan, what do you do at Free Word?

I work in Free Word’s small, busy team with the slightly long title of PA to the Director and Administrator. I look after our Director Rose Fenton’s diary and support her in all Free Word endeavours. I also handle office administration, supporting our General Manager Rachel Buchanan.

What were you doing before joining the team?

With a degree in Theatre Arts, I started my career touring the UK performing a production of Brothers Grimm Tales -  while also doing retail work to earn my pennies. When the tour ended I decided to be poor and happy by taking up an administrative internship with theatre company Frantic Assembly. I then went on to work short term for the fantastic Ministry of Stories and inspiring LIFT before landed my first permanent job in the arts here at Free Word.

Describe a typical day in your job.

Free Word is such a unique place that there really isn’t a typical day. Things that I am always doing are arranging meetings for Rose, writing many to-do lists, sitting in on meetings about upcoming projects, events and collaborations and being on hand for all seven organisations housed within the building. One moment I will be attempting to fix the printer, the next I will be organising a guest list for an event, then I will be taking down the twelve foot Christmas tree, and anything in between.

Each day I leave wondering what tomorrow will bring...

What’s been your most memorable moment so far?

It has to be playing Dick Whittington in the Christmas panto. Being the newest member of Free Word staff tradition dictated that I had to take the main role... I am not what you would call shy, so the performer in me loved it!

What's your favourite thing about working at the Free Word Centre?

Everyone is very smiley and I can store my bike in the building. (I believe my bike will definitely be stolen if I leave it chained to a lamp post for more than three minutes.)

The book recommendations, the fact that there is often cake, the individuality of all resident organisations under one roof, the shiny building, the lovely cafe staff, and the fact that my desk is next to the kitchen so I get to know everyone while they make a cuppa.

What are you reading at the moment?

I have just finished the incredible Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and am about to start a read for all ages: Wonder by R.J. Palacio, recommended to me by my housemate who couldn’t put it down.