Digital Media Programme Manager
Tommy Edwards is a Digital Media Programme Manager for Octavia. Octavia Housing is a not-for-profit organisation offering social housing and care services for vulnerable members of the community.
Summary
- Tommy's inner-city London upbringing, witnessing friends led astray by limited opportunities and systemic failures, fuelled his commitment to providing young people with better life chances.
- Tommy believes in the importance of practical skills and emotional connection over purely academic qualifications.
- Tommy emphasizes the importance of emotional empathy, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to connect with diverse individuals, particularly young people aged 10-25. He finds immense value in the creative freedom and social impact of his work, highlighting that intrinsic rewards outweigh financial compensation in the third sector (The term 'third sector' relates to organisations that are not for profit and non-governmental).
Sectors
Tommy grew up in inner city London. He wanted a job where he was committed to giving young people a better opportunity in life.
Tommy works for the charitable arm of Octavia Housing. His contract is full time, and he is fortunate to have a 35-hour flexible contract which means that he can work the hours that he wants. There are certain expectations in place, but he feels grateful to have found this work. He believes that flexible working times gives him better work life balance. For example, he can often work from home.
In terms of qualifications, Tommy studied Film at University and got an A-level in media and drama. This helped him to have the authority to lead workshops and inspire groups. He values the opportunity to utilise his film and media skills to empower young people.
The important parts of working with people and working in the third sector is the ability to relate and understand. A wide sense of life experience and emotional empathy is the most vital thing to be a good third sector worker. The ability to engage effectively and work on your soft skills with people can be more important than qualifications in this work. Reaching people emotively is the most important skill you can have.
The working environment is diverse. They work out of the community space and more often it is young people who access their services, but adults can have access too. There is a day staff team who provide food for the young people in the evening.
Tommy’s team are often the youth workers. He works with both a creative team and the digital content creators too. They produce all the digital content and edit all the films which are made.
The benefits are working with an amazing range of people. Every day is different and there is opportunity to be creative. When you work in this sector you have more creative range.
Tommy advice is “Do not work in this sector if you are chasing money. Money is not everything! The social value that you get from something like this is invaluable. Do not compare your salary to other people because this job is more enriching in other ways.”
Location
Digital Media Programme Manager
Tommy grew up in inner city London. He wanted a job where he was committed to giving young people a...