Urgent help with application form please...

[pamplemousse]

My brain is like goo after pil arriving unannounced for tea amongst other challenges today!
Am applying for an admin post in a company that recruits volunteers to help families. They ask what experience you have of voluntary work and what experience time off has given you.
I am trying to describe how having my baby (now 2) has opened my eyes to a whole new world of parenting and the needs of families within the community. And its coming out all wrong.
I am so embarressed to post this so please be gentle on the criticism...
'During the time that I have had away from work, I had my first child . It turned my life completely upside down in both a good and a bad way. On the one hand I have experienced the joy of watching my baby grow into a toddler. On the flipside I am have suffered some post natal depression and seen friends who have had further children suffer mentally from the pressure.
It has been a fantastic very steep learning curve which will continue. It has made me very aware of the support and advice needed by parents.
TIA

bump, sorry I know its not interesting, just essential, the deadline is tomorrow x

Something like this?

My experience of voluntary work has been while I have been on maternity leave and since being a full-time mum. I have provided support to many of my friends in the local community who have needed help. I believe that the experiences and challenges I faced as a parent have meant that I am able to empathise with the many issues that parents face and through my active listening skills make them feel they are being listened to and feel supported.

empathise - the word I have been trying to say in many sentences, thank you!!

are you applying for a job with homestart?

yep, why?

no reason just address every point on the person spec and really sell your parenting experience. As an admin person you will often be the first person a family/parent speaks to so you need to demonstrate empathy, being calm under pressure as well as more admin-y type things.

good luck - tis a great charity to work in

My time off whilst having my first child has opened my eyes to a whole new world of parenting and the needs of familes within the community.It has been a fantastic learning curve which I'm sure will continue. Through offering suport and a listening ear to the parents I have met during this time off, I have gained valuable insight into the pressures, mental, financial and emotional, faced by today's parents. I have provided support to many of my friends in the local community who have needed help and I believe the experiences and challenges I have faced as a parent myself have meant that I am able to empathise with the many issues that parents face and through my active listening skills make them feel they are being listened to and feel supported.

oooooooooooh peasoup thats fab! Exactly what I want to say...
MissisBoot, thanks very much for the tips, I am frankly terrified, on the person specs it says some things will be assessed by an exercise during selection process - cue terror from me
Thanks so much ladies

Good luck!

Great! I felt I was cheating somewhat as merely strung together what you and Grouohug had already said! But glad it helped.
Good luck

Thanks
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