Alison Grigg

Since 2016 I have worked as a self-employed dog walker. I also board in my own home and would like to think that I train somewhat! Though this is easier said than done! I walk up to 4 dogs at a time but usually only 2 or 3 on any given day. The dogs all enjoy plenty of fun and exercise whilst with me. I collect from the home and return to the home after a walk. I usually do this all on foot as opposed to driving to each home. This makes it difficult to fit very many in on a given day and so therefore reflects in the earning potential. I prefer to do this though as I would rather walk individually or in very small groups. I administer medication where needed and follow instructions from owners where necessary. I love this job. I love the animals and its always a pleasure to spend time with them regardless of the weather. I would like, however, to have more interaction on a human level whilst maintaining my calling for 'giving back'. Therefore I think that working part-time in a caring capacity whilst maintaining, as much as possible, my dogwalking work I would be fulfilling my needs, put me in a financially survivable situation and still be 'giving back' as I feel is my need to do!

During this period I embarked on a business venture with a friend whereby we created our own unique soaps. We marketed and sold at markets, online, at festivals etc. This was an interesting and creative time for me but I was only able to give myself a year to attempt to make the business work as being a single parent of a young child I had to ensure I received an income. Alongside this we also started a cleaning business which was marketed as an eco cleaning venture. This implied there was no use of chemical products at all but instead we would use 'old fashioned kitchen cupboard' methods instead. When the initial year was up my friend had become pregnant and so decided to stop thus I went on the run the cleaning business alone. I did this for a further 5 years purely working through word of mouth within the local area in which I live. After 5 years I became quite ill therefore I had to stop whilst I received treatment for my condition. I had already begun dog walking for some of my cleaning clients and so was able to make a smooth transition from one to the other.

I primarily worked for Kidsactive during this period. Upon leaving university I secured a job as a Playworker. However, relatively soon afterward I was thrown into position of manager due to long-term sickness of other managerial staff. Therefore I was responsible for a team of up to 20 staff and, on any given day, approximately 40 children. Our ethos was to provide adventurous, stimulating play to children between the ages of 5-18 who were registered within the borough of Chelsea and Kensington as having a special need. The spectrum was diverse; some children required medication on a daily basis and/or were physically impeded whilst others had a more energetic, risk-free experience of life. I set up an after-school club for which I drove the school bus to collect from various schools within the borough and return children to their homes after the club. We provided a nutritious meal as well as an interesting, playful environment during this time.

Coupled with this job I also worked as a Support Worker for a community project whereby our team worked with adults with learning difficulties/special needs. This job required us to work in a team of 2 and take a group of clients out for the day. We would pick them up by bus, take them to an art or drama workshop, museum or for a walk in the park, have lunch and then return them home.

I also did shifts in a residential children's home at times as well. The same children that utilised our playground lived in or spent respite periods in this residential home.

Finally, I also did shifts in special needs schools all over the South of London. I worked for an agency and did various shifts in schools varying from moderate to severe learning difficulties.

All in all this was a thoroughly rewarding time in my life. I did consider training to be a teacher and specialising in special needs education but ultimately I made the decision to move to Spain and become a TEFL teacher.