John on why he loves his work

The next two weeks will see me doing things that I really love about the work I do, starting on Friday when I will be traveling up to Buckinghamshire from Cornwall to take part in a 3-day festival for community activists.

Offline Festival brings three days of hands-on learning, business skill-building, and insightful discussions. Alongside epic stories, personal growth sessions, the chance to connect with like-minded individuals and exploring the power of creating impact through community and business. Log off from your daily routine and check-in to a fun festival setting that nurtures your creativity and wellbeing! (https://offlinefestival.org.uk/, 2017)

I am really looking forward to seeing the inspirational people attending. A few of them I have met before although some of them I haven’t seen for a few years although we do keep in contact via social media. To be honest, I feel very humble in their presence as the work they do in the communities they live in is exceptional and benefits such a vast number of people in countless ways. They are unbelievably inspiring and that’s why I go these events

Additionally, from taking part I will also benefit from sharing ideas, meeting new people and rekindle friendships with others. It is important to me that I listen with open ears and open minds and to take time to think of bigger and better things.

Spending 3 days in a tent is a bit of an adventure for me, not that I am new to camping, just that I generally get to stay in campervan which has a few extra luxuries. I have owned a few vans over the last 15 years but I am currently waiting on the next so a tent will have to do this time. What’s more is I also get to take my son, once he found out there was archery and woodland skill workshops it was difficult for him to say no.

So, to sum up the first part of the week ahead; it’s going to be fantastic! I get to take my son on a road trip, to a festival where we will both learn new skills, meet fabulous people, share everything from stories to tables and meals and come back so inspired that I put things into place that makes our community better. Now it doesn’t get much better than that.

But this isn’t just a weekend of things I love but a whole week (and a bit); The first part being the festival and the second… A trip to Alicante in Spain to take part in an Erasmus + Project.

I get to spend 8 days in 28-degree September sun with 21 other likeminded people.  People who work in their communities all over Europe, with youth people, community groups and charities all non-profit and with a shared aim; to make their communities better.

The theme of the training course is film - Videos on a Budget. This will be my 8th Erasmus+ project having both hosted training and participated. This time I will be attending ass a participant and I am particularly excited. I love these training courses and again, for many of the same reasons that I am looking forward to Offline Festival. I get to meet people, be inspired and have a lot of fun all whist visiting new places.
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The people I have met through Erasmus+ have been life changing. I now have even more friends across Europe and further afield. What’s more is Cultivate Cornwall was actually started through an Erasmus Training Program where myself and Harry got the inspiration from a course on Social Entrepreneurship and from this we have gone on to make a difference to many.

I feel good about where I am at the moment. The hard work seems like it is now starting to pay off; 100`s of unpaid hours, sleepless nights, time spent wondering how I`m going to pay the rent. These are now seeming a little more distant and when I look at the weeks ahead and it is all starting to feel worthwhile.

Watch out for endless photos over the next few blogs; oh, and probably a video or 2. After the course has ended you can expect a few videos, vlogs and maybe even a short movie.

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