The first day at a new job isn’t easy when you’re an introvert. I have to prove that I can complete my daily tasks – manning the tills, putting out deliveries, and keeping the store tidy front and back – while also making a good impression with customers. Then there are my colleagues. I want to form a bond with them that will help us excel and, hopefully, create a safe and comfortable environment to work in; after all, I spend half my day here. I’m still learning about British culture too, having moved from Romania to Maidstone just two years before starting at the Co-op. It’s a totally different way of life to the one I experienced before, but I’m making new friends and a new life …
I came to the UK three years ago just after I finished college. I wanted to try something different and there seemed to be more opportunities for young people here than in my home country. It was a big change at first and I felt like a stranger here. I started applying for jobs and came across the Co-op. Initially I wasn’t aware of its community values but when I joined I discovered more about the Co-op and how important it is to be a part of the community by supporting local causes.
Thinking back now, my first months working at the Co-op were challenging because of the pandemic. We had to adapt to people’s behaviour, which was constantly changing – they were really impatient. It wasn’t an easy situation to work in but it definitely brought colleagues together.
Thankfully, I had some heartwarming reviews from customers, who left positive comments about my customer service and said how much they appreciated that I made sure the store was kept clean. Working through Covid-19 hasn’t always been easy – especially when I was new to the job. But my colleagues and I made time to listen to and support each other and to cover each other’s shifts when we were isolating, so we could get through it together. Over time, we made deeper, more meaningful connections with each other, established a safe space at work and eventually became friends. You could say being key workers during Covid brought us together.
I wasn’t expecting too much in terms of progression through my career and I had no idea in which direction to lean to. But through those challenging times I developed my English and active listening skills. I could feel myself getting better at the job, so I decided to start working on my personal growth plan based on awareness, values, reflection and goal-setting. Acknowledging my skills, bringing out the best every day and showing my ability led to being selected by my store manager for a promotion. Time-management was especially difficult for me, but eventually, with a lot of hard work, I started to make a successful transformation. I’ve taken the step up and have proved to myself that no matter how difficult it is, I can do it.
Co-op helped me to discover my true potential – my management took an active role in my progress, funding an English language course for me and connecting me with other colleagues who had advanced, so I could get useful advice. In November I was promoted to team leader, responsible for being a key-holder and making sure the store checks are done, taking responsibility for the safety of our store, reporting thefts and unethical behaviour and managing my time properly in order to finish my tasks. It felt rewarding to take this step, having only joined a few months before.
Though, like all jobs, there are tough days, something that’s been hugely motivating is the chance to get involved with the local community through work. Supporting and interacting with the local community is built into my job, for example a fundraising day I took part in for Co-op’s national charity partner Mind, in September 2021. Every staff member brought items they no longer needed such as artworks, books, DVDs, kids’ toys – the list goes on – for a car boot sale. Some of our regular customers even brought us food and chocolate and kept us company while we fundraised for 12 hours. It was difficult to think of activities that were safe to do because of the pandemic, but we were able to keep children entertained by painting their faces. It was heartwarming to see them so happy.
More recently, in December, my colleagues and I got the chance to select and wrap Christmas presents for local children in need. Spreading kindness is the first step in making the world a better place, and being kind to others doesn’t require much effort, so I was grateful to be able to help out.
I have also volunteered with The Young Lives Foundation, and as a Co-op colleague member the cause I’ve chosen to support is local charity, Friends of Five Acre Wood and Grow 19. It aims to advance the learning and opportunities for the students at special needs school Five Acre Wood and Grow 19 college, and I picked it because people with special educational needs deserve equal opportunities to learn.
I have been working at the Co-op for 14 months now. I’m definitely more confident in my level of English and cannot believe I have made it as far as writing this article. My reflection over the past year is that it does not matter where you come from or where you are, what is important is the experience and how much you can learn from it. Looking to the next 12 months, I want to be more present in terms of community events, to progress even more in my role and be more adaptable to different situations. I want to be able to solve every problem that stands in the way – luckily my manager tells me that he will help me go through this journey and learning experience.
Co-op is truly different, representing community and fairness for our members and customers. To get involved and support your local community, download the Co-op app today to become a member and you’ll be making a difference every time you shop. Find out more at coop.co.uk/membership
Co-op’s national charity partners are Mind (England and Wales), SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and Inspire (Northern Ireland). To find out more and how you can support, visit here
This article was amended on 7 March 2022. The previous version said that Alex Moraru moved to the UK from Bulgaria.
