NFCDA’s Chris Fairhead – Q&A
Horizons Staff Survey
Name: Christopher Fairhead
Organisation:
Job Role: Communications Assistant
Why are our green and blue spaces important to you and did that influence your decision to apply for this role?
To me they are an escape, like all of us I get drawn into the endless scrolling and viewing of screens. It can be east to disconnect from the real world that is around us.
Going into nature and wild places grounds you, the sights, sounds and smells all bring you into the moment, no phones, no video games or TV shows, just the immediate environment around you.
I applied for my role to help protect these spaces, whilst also promoting their importance to us and the environment.
What were you doing before?
Before I was a managing a small restaurant, this was something I fell into and was never where my heart lay. Working through Covid helped me re-evaluate, the stress and public facing nature of the job was not where I wanted to be.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of the project or get out of the role personally?
By the end of my project, I hope to have a portfolio of work that I can be proud of, that also demonstrates the hard work that everyone has put into the project.
I also hope to have taken the opportunities presented to me for ‘behind the scenes’ access in the New Forest. Things such as Pony Drifts, Stallion releases and archaeological work.
If people take away just one fact about the New Forest, what would you like that to be?
Don’t feed/ touch the ponies!!!!
What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into a green job?
Work on the skills needed to get into your preferred role. For me I have been practicing photography for 6 years and am confident now presenting it as a valuable skill when applying for jobs.
Volunteering is a great way to pick up relevant skills and will always be viewed favourably.
You’re going for a day out in the Forest, what must-haves are in your bag?
My camera, lenses, water, food and a rubbish bag.
