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Insider knowledge from the NDotM apprentice!

Apprentice Blogger, Chelsea Way describes her first week inside Somerset House, working for New deal of the Mind. 

On my approach to Somerset House last Monday, I was astounded with the sheer scale of the building. The ice rink is beautiful and the magnificence of the building is somewhat overwhelming. I waited inside Seamen’s hall until the security guard took me to NDotM’s office. I was very anxious about meeting the team nevertheless I was extremely excited and eager to get stuck in. After a brief chat with Mwila, I felt somewhat relieved. I was shown around the building, and I learned a very important lesson that morning; that lesson is to always bring a pair of flat shoes in my bag. (There are literally hundreds of steps and the lift is a little slow!).

My first morning went well; I did some filing and got to grips with the different things going on inside the office. There are many exciting projects, and over the next few weeks I hope to really get involved in these.  The atmosphere inside the office is great; it’s a combination of serious work mode, mixed in with the occasional fun and jokes. This makes the office a really calming environment to work in. At the end of my first day, I felt exhausted. I took away lots of reading material for the train, like the ‘Make A Job Don’t Take A Job’ report and the Wilkes prospectus, as well as lot’s of information about New Deal of the Mind, just so I could start to gain a more in depth understanding of the diverse projects.

My second day consisted of various types of administration work and a meeting for  The Parliamentary Academy . The meeting was a massive insight into how much preparation is involved in a project like this. I took lots of notes and amended the project plan. I am thrilled to be studying towards my apprenticeship with the Parliamentary Academy apprentices but also to be involved in making it successful for the spring launch in 2012. I already feel so passionate about the project and the amazing opportunity it gives to young people.

On Wednesday, I updated the Christmas event database and did some bits and pieces for the Parliamentary Academy database. Everyone in the office is working on a different project and with this there is a bit of an underlying rivalry, there is nothing like a decent Twitter battle to spur competition!

Thursday was my first training day in Parliament. My inquisitive side escaped and I could not stop asking questions. I am fascinated and feel so lucky to have been given this opportunity. Matthew volunteered to show me around the House of Commons over the upcoming weeks, something I am ecstatic about! Overall the day was very informative and I learnt a lot. I particularly enjoyed a task called ‘Paradise Island’, which taught us about equal opportunities in the work place. On the train home, I enjoyed reading all the information sheets and getting started on the work booklets.

Overall, my first week with NDotM has been great. I am so overwhelmed with the amount of support the team have given me, but I still have lots to learn and lots to take in. I am really excited about the upcoming weeks at NDotM!