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Community Advent Calendar Day 6 - Virtual Christmas party and team Q&A
Cher_Scope
Community Team Posts: 2,699 Disability Gamechanger
On the 6th day of Scope's online advent calendar, the community team bring to youuuuuu,
A virtual Christmas party for (hopefully) more than twooo...
That's right, Cinderella will go to the ball after all. It's time to dust down that sequin dress, get out your Glayva and prepare to bust yo finest dance moves because the partay starts here.
<Puts George Michael Last Christmas on>
All day long the team will be about to play games, get merry and change the music when Mariah Carey is inevitably on for the 100th time.
Are you up for some festive fun? To get involved, why not:
- Drop your virtual buffet food on the table to the left.
- Leave a secret santa present under the tree and tell us what virtual present you've bought another member.
- Turn the music over to your fave festive choon.
Where's my early party people at? And, who's bringing the mince pies?
Online Community Co-ordinator
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Replies
For food, I've brought some sausage rolls, which are nice and simple, along with some little sweets to dot around the room in dishes, so that there is nice treats everywhere. Enjoy everyone!
You see that perfectly wrapped present under the tree? That's my gift to @Cher_Scope, which is a limited edition box of 1000 Yorkshire tea bags, because you can never get enough Yorkshire tea.
I've also started playing 12 Days of Christmas, to get everyone's voices warmed up and because who doesn't love shouting "5 GOLD RINGS" every time it comes around.
Yes, we'd be delighted to answer any questions you might have for us, I think it would help some of you get to know us better, considering three of the team have only been around for a few short months.
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I've brought the cocktail sausages and dips. Please leave me plenty of the garlic and onion dip because that's my fave.
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Change to music DJ to one more sleep leona lewis so I can do some cool wheelchair moves
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It's also getting later into the evening, so I've brought along endless supplies of everyone's favourite tipple (or soft drink of course!).
Remember that you're welcome to ask us questions so you can get to know us a bit better
Adrian always brings the dry humour and quick wit.
Cher comes out with some classic, often surprising, lines and cultural references.
Ross is perhaps the sanest of us all, which I find endlessly funny, but is always on hand with a pun or gentle roast. The grumpy northerner shines through.
Richard can be totally brutal (in a funny way!) and really has a way with words.
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1. I'm genuinely loving it. I went into it a little blind, as I haven't managed an online community as a job before. That being said I knew it'd be difficult at times, as I've been a member of quite a few online communities over the years (and still am a member of many!) and know what a tough job some moderators and facilitators have. I wouldn't say it's easier or harder than I'd imagined, but that it is as diverse and challenging as I'd hoped. There are probably aspects of the job I hadn't predicted I'd be able to get involved in, but it's all been great so far and I'm really grateful for all the opportunities I've had to learn and try new things. I also find it really rewarding, and love interacting with you all.
2. Yes, probably. I think one of the strengths of the community is the diversity of things it offers people. I'd obviously had a snoop around the community before I applied, and before my interview, but working here has really opened my eyes to the breadth of information, advice, support, and friendly fun you're all able to offer to each other. As I said, I've been a member of quite a few online communities, and I have to say that this is one of the most non-judgemental ones I've seen. It's also really nice to see older friendships blossom, and new ones forge. It's a real privilege to be a small part of that!
3. Yes! It really helps to have such wonderful colleagues to bounce ideas off of, get advice and support from, and work collaboratively with. Chloe, Adrian, and Richard continue to be fountains of knowledge, and a great support network for the three of us. We haven't met in person, but we hope to once it's safe to! I'm excited for the in-person banter, Colin the Caterpillars, and I'm sure a few drinks (of Yorkshire tea...).
4. That's a hard one! I suppose other people are best placed to answer that. I've enjoyed (hopefully) letting my personality show a bit more as time has passed, and I also think my knowledge-base has grown. This is something I'm working on, and I also look forward to sharing more about my personal experiences as times goes on.
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Obviously because we are all Christmas party animals, the celebrations are still ongoing and I've brought with me some Christmas crackers. I offer them out to anybody who fancies pulling one. There's no Cornonavirus in this universe so sharing a cracker is completely fine.
I take the magic bottle from @66Mustang and wow, it magically turns into a nice cold bottle of coke, lovely. Time to hit the dance floor as All I Want for Christmas is You comes on for the 10th time, as @Cher_Scope predicted.
Great questions @chiarieds, I'll try to do justice to them:
1. It's been honestly amazing so far, at the start of this year I could never have imagined I would end the year working in a job I thoroughly enjoy, with a team of wonderful people. The job can be fast paced at times, especially when doing some of the off-community things that people don't see, but it's all worth it, I've learnt many things so far and had so many marvellous experiences.
2. My views have changed somewhat. I always knew this was a supportive and friendly community because that's exactly what it was for me when I came here looking for advice using my personal account, quite a while before taking this job. I think being on the community so much has helped me get to know some of you all and realise how fabulous you all are in your own unique ways, whereas previously I was only a sporadic member so perhaps didn't get chance to build up those relationships.
3. It certainly helped me to have the others starting alongside me, in the moments where I was perhaps struggling to get used to certain things it was always nice to realise that I wasn't alone in going through it, and both Tori and Cher have been amazing in their support and help for one another and myself. And as Tori mentioned above, Richard, Adrian and Chloe couldn't have been better guides in the first few months, they've integrated us so well that it almost feels like we've been here much longer than 4 months.
We haven't met in person yet no, but I'm very much looking forward to whenever that might be.
4. Like Tori, I think I'm now able to show my personality a bit more and utilise my personal experience of having sight loss, which has particularly helped me when writing content. I feel as though I'm learning a lot about other impairments and challenges that disabled people can face in today's society, and learning these things is only benefiting my ability to respond better in certain situations both on and off the community.
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Marvel or DC?
Disability Gamechanger - 2019
For me, it's DC, simply because I love Batman, and the Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and TDK Rises is one of my favourite trilogies of all time.
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Where is everyone? 🥳
Twiglets!? You can stay as long as you like!
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Thank you for your kind words, I only hope that as we stay here longer and grow further into the role, we will be able to contribute towards making the community an even better place for all.
Can't say I'm a fan of mince pies though, if this is us enjoying some casual chat at the party, I won't be accepting one when you offer
Not a big fan of Christmas cake either @leeCal, but I'll take the icing off and just have that
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What are all your thoughts on Robert Pattinson being the new Batman? I've only seen him Harry Potter, could never get into Twilight.
What superpower do you think you bring to the community
Disability Gamechanger - 2019
Was Bane's voice not enough to keep you awake? It's terrifying
Much like you, I've only seen Robert P in Harry Potter, never watched Twilight. I'll be interested to see how he does, but I have to admit that I doubt Christian Bale's Batman will ever be topped.
What super power do I bring to the community? Hard to say, probably by Yorkshireness, I consider that a super power
@chiarieds
I'll take Reet good Ross, it roles off the tongue nicely, thank you
That's true, I do like chocolate cake, sorry to everyone else at the party but I've eaten it all
Here's to 2021 indeed -raises glass for a toast- hopefully it brings better things for us all!
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Also, any more questions for the community team? Whether it be related to working on the community or us as people, we don't mind
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As an individual I stood alone.
As a member of a group I did things.
As part of a community I helped to create change!
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I've not answered any questions yet, so here are my thoughts on a few!
@chiarieds
It's been more varied than I anticipated, for sure! The easier bits for me are the light-hearted chats with members that I hope provide company and laughter on days that are hard. I truly appreciate having a job where I can speak to others directly and hopefully make a difference, no matter how small, to their daily lives. The moments where I feel I've helped are priceless and really do make it all worth it.
The tougher bits are the limits of being part of an online only service. Sometimes I, and the team as a whole, feel frustrated that we can't do more to support people. We really endeavour to provide as comprehensive a service as possible via signposting and advice, but this is an aspect I have on occasion struggled with.
Not really. I had visited briefly (lurked) before getting the job and I knew what a lovely community it already was. I had perhaps underestimated the expertise amongst the members and continue to be blown away by all your knowledge. Bravo everyone!
Definitely, I am very thankful I started with Ross and Tori. They have been so much fun to be around, albeit virtually, and our mix of characters works a treat. It's great to see them both developing in their roles, and as I'm a bit older, I sometimes feel like a proud mum
I hope I bring a welcoming 'face', an upbeat personality and empathetic, thoughtful replies. I've a whole rucksack of lived experience of one thing and another, and I think this helps me relate to people's struggles. Although I know I've still so much to learn (my benefits knowledge is woeful, ha), I'm determined to progress and get better so I can be better for you lot
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We take it in turns to do weekend shifts, doing one in every three each and it tends to go: Me > Ross > Tori. I hope that helps you know who is about, but we don't mind being tagged if ever you are unsure.
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