After nearly 20 years of working in the charity sector, I decided enough was enough and I was going to try and get a better work-life balance. I wanted flexibility in my working hours, I only wanted to work three days a week, and ultimately I wanted more time to be with my family and children, so, seven months ago, I decided to go freelance. I have learned a great deal during this time – about myself and what I do and do not like about working life – and a number of things have surprised me.
I now know how much I value working in a team, I miss my colleagues enormously, and I miss the camaraderie. However, I do not miss dealing with internal politics. To counteract the isolation that I can often feel, I am setting up a network, with online freelancing networks and a few ex-colleagues who have also gone freelance, I also meet regularly with a friend who has supported me on some of my projects.
I work harder and smarter than I did before. I certainly have the flexible hours that I wanted. However, even though I work three days, I also work most evenings and if needed at weekends. The pressure of constantly having to line up the next job is hard and exhausting. You have to find the time to promote your services, to meet potential clients, to write up proposals and follow up. So far I’ve been fortunate to go from one job to the next with only one agreed break for a family holiday, but the worry of what lies around the corner is always at the back of your mind. Especially since I am the main income generator in our household.
However, I can now be more selective about what I work on. I will only do the job if my skills and expertise are the right fit and I know I can do a good job – I have passed on work that I know colleagues could do better.
Another thing you have to keep on top of is your own professional development. I am in the process of finding a mentor and I regularly read and research to keep my skills up to date, but again it’s all unpaid time that’s hard to find and takes a lot of self-discipline.
I would also advise having a suitable amount of savings stashed away in case you don’t get paid on time. The admin for managing your finances, tax return and so on can be overwhelming so get your systems in place before you start and get yourself a good accountant, it will be worth it.
Freelancing has been quite an eventful journey so far, that I hope to continue if I can get the work and can work across other causes. In all honesty I would say I enjoy this way of working half of the time and the other half is a challenge, but then I remember that on a good week it gives me four days a week with my children and three days working. And that is a balance I am happy to strike.
Confessions of a charity professional is the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network’s anonymous series where charity workers tell it how it is. If you would like to pitch us an idea, click here.
