Staff profiles
Meet the team
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Name: | Paul Esson |
| Age: | 22 | |
| Current Position: | Activity Co-ordinator, West Runton | |
| From: | Portsmouth |
Paul Esson
Qualifications Obtained:
All in-house Kingswood activities. Climbing, Abseil, Zip Wire, Archery, FAAW, Pool Plant Operator and NPLQ. I have delivered the Lifeskills Programme to adults/kids and have also been involved with in-schools.
Kingswood & I
I started as a Kitchen Assistant on the Island in September 2003 as there were no Instructor vacancies at the time. I went to instructor training at Overstrand in January 2004. I got off to a good start by winning “Instructor of the Month” and was made Senior Group Leader for Camp Beaumont in July. In September 2004 I was promoted to Activity Senior Instructor which involved transferring to Staffs.
I stayed as a senior instructor until March 2005 when I was promoted to Activity Co-ordinator and spent the rest of 2005 in Staffs. I was Assistant Camp Director for Camp Beaumont in 2005. In January 2006 I was transferred to Peak Venture as Activity Co-ordinator and stayed there until June when I moved across to West Runton to be Assistant Camp Director again for Camp Beaumont.
Favourite activity
Abseiling is great as it involves huge amounts of trust and courage from the kids. However, problem solving would be top of my pile because it lets the instructor bring out the quieter members of the group and allows them to shine.
Worst bit about Kingswood
I don’t really dislike anything enough to mention. Wouldn’t say no to the odd bottle of champers as a monthly bonus!
Best bit about Kingswood
Kingswood has given me the opportunity to see lots of new places and meet lots of new faces. It has also given me the chance to prove myself and progress through a big company.
The social side of the job is amazing and you never have a repetitive day at work either. It’s a rough but fun ride…get on and hold on!
The next step?
Over the next year or two I would like to progress on to being a Programme Manager. I am currently taking on more responsibilities and trying to learn as much as possible about the running of a whole centre.
My advice to anyone who is thinking of joining
Give it a go! I have seen so many people come into the company and enjoy themselves that I would recommend it to anyone. Due to Kingswood I have good friends all over the country whether they are current or ex-staff.
It’s well worth experiencing this industry even if the line of work isn’t what you want to do in the long run. I have gained life skills and confidence from this job and long may it continue.
