Southampton based Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) has recruited an employee who had already worked for the charity for an incredible ten years and was keen to return.

Amie O’Riordan, from Southampton, started back with the JST at the end of May as Customer Services Officer only two years after she left the organisation to have her third child.

The mother-of-three enjoyed the work she did for the global sailing charity so much that she wanted to return. She started back with the JST at the end of May.

The JST offers people of all abilities the opportunity to climb aboard its tall ship Tenacious for an immersive sailing experience. Part of Amie’s role is to ensure that everyone booked on to the charity’s voyages has everything they need for a safe and enjoyable trip. She is the first point of contact when it comes to customer support and is looking forward to settling back into this important position.

Amie said: “Having already worked for the JST for ten years, I was enthusiastic about returning. My role means I communicate with a diverse group of individuals daily, and it’s very rewarding!

“I’m very grateful to be able to come back to the charity after two years away and have the opportunity to work part time around my children.”

Amie’s appointment comes after the global sailing charity recently announced it is to embrace a new work-life balance post-Covid by permanently moving to a new virtual office, with any face to face meetings and in-person staff interaction taking place at the Old Bond Store. It means the enthusiastic new recruit will be working from her home as Customer Services Officer, giving her further flexibility around her family.

She added: “Working remotely, but also having the possibility to meet face-to-face with colleagues if I need it, gives me just the right flexibility I need.”

A better work-life balance was something at the front of Chief Executive Patrick Fleming’s mind when it came to a remote working model for the charity. He said: “Moving to a virtual office set up is a great step forward but maintaining face-to-face contact with colleagues and interacting with other businesses is so critical. Our membership with the innovative Old Bond Store in Southampton enables us to do this and to get the best of both worlds.”

On Amie’s appointment, Patrick added: “We are delighted to welcome Amie back to the JST team. The ten years’ experience she has already had with us, and her commitment to the work we do, is a great asset.

“Her eagerness to return to her position with us demonstrates the fulfilling nature of what we set out to achieve – making a difference to people’s lives.”

Like many other charities, JST has had to scale back its fundraising activities during the pandemic, but now, with a new virtual office and new members of the team, it hopes to get back to raising money so it can continue to make a difference.

The JST relies on funding from the public. Since its founding in 1978 the Jubilee Sailing Trust has welcomed more than 50,000 people on board.