By Sam Ward – PACT’s Events and Marketing Manager
Emily Sopp, part of PACT’s fantastic Enquiries team, is sadly leaving PACT and heading for the Canadian mountains and a new adventure. We caught up with her on her last day to look back at her time working with PACT.
Emily has been part of the PACT staff team for three years. However she has been involved with PACT for longer than that as a volunteer for our Alana House women’s community project.
While studying for her psychology degree at Reading University, Emily joined the Alana House team in 2017 to complete her 80 hour placement. As a volunteer she supported the Alana House drop-in sessions, learned data inputting and prepared group materials. Emily decided to stay with our Communities team to complete a summer internship with the Bounce Back 4 Kids domestic abuse recovery programme. During this time, she was involved in preparing the groups, speaking to schools about the programme and talking to the families booked to attend.
Emily said of her time with Communities: “I really enjoyed being part of a passionate and committed team and they all made me feel welcome.”
After graduating, Emily moved to Brighton and kept an eye on PACT’s careers page as she said she “genuinely had such a positive experience of being involved with PACT.” She said her volunteering with PACT helped her see that charity work was where she wanted to work and contribute to helping others. She added that being part of PACT has helped her understanding of the world and deepened her compassion. When she saw the advert for a role within the Enquiries team she decided to apply, having been intrigued by PACT’s work in adoption.
Once Emily started her role in enquiries she has been one of the first points of contact for prospective adopters she has helped hundreds of people understand the process and help them to consider adoption in their own lives.
Emily attended training with SEE Change Happen around transgender awareness and fed into discussions at PACT, ultimately leading to a company-wide enhanced understanding. Emily said she was proud of the work she did on this project and that “if one person feels more comfortable then it’s all worth it.”
Emily said she would describe PACT as an employer as supportive, understanding and kind. She said for anyone considering a role with PACT: “You will be treated like a person rather than an employee and the work you do significantly helps to change the lives of many women, children and families.”
After working for three years to help people to turn their dream of becoming parents a reality, she said her advice for anyone thinking of adopting with PACT would be: “Go for it! The social workers are so dedicated and committed to each family they work with and you will be supported right from the initial call to the time your youngest child is aged 18.”
Emily said working at PACT has increased her confidence and said the Enquiries and Placement teams have been brilliant to work with. She added finally she was leaving PACT with very fond memories.
