We are sorry to announce that our Projects Officer, Sophie is leaving Beacon. During her time here she supported the Projects Team, making a positive impact in the delivery of our Empowerment Programme. Sophie was also a huge part of the success of our biggest in-person event to date – The London Rare Disease Showcase.
We’d like to thank Sophie for all of her hard work and we wish her all the best on her future endeavours.
Before she goes, we’ve asked Sophie to summarise her time at Beacon in this blog. We hope you enjoy reading!
Although I have not been here for very long, Beacon will always hold a special place in my heart.
If I look back on who I was 8 months ago and compared it to now, I would barely recognise myself.
This has been my first full-time job, and a very different career than the one I had always imagined for myself (of being a vet).
Starting at Beacon was the first step on a new journey.
This journey has led me to discover a rekindled love of public speaking, I’ve learnt how to manage speakers while planning the London Rare Disease Showcase 2023 and I’ve run training events on a wide variety of topics.
One of my personal highlights has been helping the team look at how many patient groups we’ve engaged over the last 12 years.
This passion for data and analytics is what I’m going on to explore further in my new role.
I’ve also come to realise just how under-served and yet incredibly important the rare disease community is.
The rare disease community has truly been so welcoming from day one.
Every single person I’ve met has challenged my preconceptions, my thinking, and my attitudes.
Although I am taking the decision to leave this space, I will always remain a passionate advocate for those 1 in 17, and look forward to watching new advances in the rare disease space, albeit from afar.
I’m sad to be leaving so soon, but who knows? Maybe I’ll be back!
In the meantime, I’m remaining in the charity sector, but moving back toward my original career of working with animals and also incorporating this with my love of data and analytics.
I’ll really miss working at Beacon and the team that makes it what it is. They are all highly skilled, professional, and passionate, and achieve an incredible range of things to an amazing standard.
It has been a pleasure to work alongside and learn from every one of them and I don’t expect to find another team quite like them.
Thank you to everyone I have worked with, met, or encountered during my time at Beacon.
I’m excited for the next stage of my journey, but I couldn’t be where I am today without all of you.
Apply to be our new Events and Projects Officer!
We are seeking an entry-level Events and Projects Officer to join our established Projects Team and support us through the next stage in our charity’s development.
Key details
- Salary: £23,500
- Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
- Location: Beacon Office, Cambridge, CB1 2BL; hybrid working options available following a successful induction period
- Starting date: April – May 2024
View the full job description, including responsibilities, personal specification and benefits here.
Applications are open until 8th March.
