My Week is part of a blog series, that aims to give you an insight into what we each do here at Centre For Thriving Places, plus what we choose to do alongside work to look after our own wellbeing. This week we hear from Kate Broadhurst Rodd, our Operations and Communications Coordinator.
Things I’ve been working on
My working week tends to be a busy mix of all the moving pieces that sit behind a healthy, happy and well-functioning team. As an Operations and Communications Coordinator, much of my role is focused upon ensuring people have what they need to do their best work with, whether that’s keeping on top of finance and bookkeeping, supporting payroll and HR, setting up new projects or helping bring our communications and reports to life through great design.
Much of what I do is ‘behind the scenes’ and I think about it as contributing to wellbeing in a practical way. Good systems, clear communication and making sure people have the information and support they need can make a real difference to how a team feels and functions. My role helps to create the conditions that allow people to focus on the things they do best.
A big focus for me recently, has been organising our team Away Day. As a company that works remotely, having the opportunity to get everyone together in the same place is really important. We’ll have the chance to step away from our screens and create space for conversation and connection.
Things I’ve been reading/listening to
I’ve been reading Wintering by Katherine May, which has been a lovely reminder to pay attention to the seasons, not just in nature but the seasons we all move through in our own lives too. I like the idea that quieter or more difficult periods aren’t necessarily something to fight against or rush through, often they are simply part of the natural cycle of life. It feels particularly relevant when working in a busy environment as there can be a tendency to think that we should always be productive, progressing or achieving something, when actually rest and slower periods can be just as valuable.
I enjoy listening to Elizabeth Day’s How To Fail podcast and like the way it reframes failure as something we can learn from rather than something that defines us. I find it reassuring to hear people talk honestly about things that haven’t gone to plan, particularly when so much of professional life can be focused on success and achievement.
Things I’ve been doing for balance
Nature is probably my biggest source of balance. I spend a lot of my free time out hiking or volunteering with local nature charities and recently I’ve been carrying out hazel dormouse surveys with my local nature partnership.
Creativity is another big part of my life. Alongside my work at Centre For Thriving Places, I’m also an artist [see Kate’s art, here] and making art gives me a completely different way of slowing down and paying attention. It’s a chance to become completely absorbed in something and I find any worries just melt away when I pick up a paintbrush. I also teach at a local community art school, so I get to share that experience with other people, which I find equally rewarding.
When I need to properly switch off, exercise and moving my body is my go-to. I practice martial arts and my weekly kickboxing classes are a brilliant way to unwind after a busy week. Nature, creativity and fitness all give me opportunities to slow down, be present and reconnect in different ways. For me, wellbeing is about making space for the things that make us feel curious, connected and alive.
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