Ever wanted to know the Capacity gang a bit better? Well, you’re in the right place. Each month we’ll be sitting down with a member of the team here at Capacity, spending 5 minutes asking them some of our burning questions. We’ll find out everything from why they joined Capacity, to what inspires them most, to who’d play them in a biopic about their life.
This month, we sat down with Sophie Kervin, who joined Capacity earlier this year as Learning, Insight and Communications Coordinator.
Last month we spent time getting to know Harriet (Senior Development Manager) a bit better, and she nominated you for this month’s ‘5 Minutes With’. We like to start with the basics. So, can you tell us about how you came to join the Capacity team?
It feels like I’ve been at Capacity for ages, but it’s only actually been six months. I joined the team at the start of the year – the very first week of January. Previously, I worked for Options for Supported Living (one of Capacity’s clients). During my time at Options, I got to try my hand at little bit of everything – research, comms, strategic planning and executive support.
Like Sam, I learned about Capacity through my last role. Capacity delivered some training for Options and I thought their work seemed really interesting. I started following Capacity on social media and was impressed. So, when I started thinking about looking for a new challenge, Capacity seemed like a no-brainer.
What are you most looking forward to in your role?
I feel like it’s a really exciting time to be working for Capacity. I think the work we’re doing is evolving and there’s loads of incredible stuff going on like our Fundamentals work. I’m most looking forward to seeing what the next 12 months have in store, and getting stuck into the work that comes with it – whether that’s supporting the planning and delivery of another Fundamentally Different event, recording more podcasts or getting involved in some of the projects we have going on. That’s one of my favourite things about my role – the variety. No day is ever the same.
Okay, now for some rapid fire questions. What three words best describe you?
Erm… I’d say driven, curious and dependable.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
‘Success is more a function of habit than ability’ – I read this in a book a few years ago and it’s really stuck with me.
What inspires you?
People that are brilliant at what they do. I’m always in awe of people who approach something with the level of commitment, discipline and determination needed to excel at it.
If you could have a superpower what would it be?
It’s pretty boring, but I’d love to have the ability to pause time. I probably wouldn’t do anything exciting with it, just have more hours in the day to tick everything off my to-do list and read more. Imagine everything you’d be able to do if you could add an extra 5 (or more) hours to your day.
What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you were younger?
Making mistakes is okay as long as you learn from them – don’t be too hard on yourself.
If you had a magic wand, what’s the one thing you’d fix?
The current crisis in social care. Because of my time working at Options, it’s something that’s pretty close to my heart. My mum worked as a support worker for years, and it’s disheartening to see how it’s perceived as ‘unskilled’ work. I’d love to see people who work in social care recognised for the skill and dedication that goes into doing the job, and for social care reform to be higher on the political agenda. We need to challenge the perception of social care as a ‘burden’ on resources and recognise its inherent social value, its ability to transform the lives of people who need it most.
What’s your favourite place in the Liverpool City Region?
I love how many parks and green spaces we have, but Harriet already went for Sefton Park last month. Instead, I think I’ll go with R&H Wines on Queens Avenue – great wine, really friendly staff and right next to the Capacity office!
What’s one thing on your bucket list that you want to tick off this year?
This is quite embarrassing, but I still can’t drive. So, I’d say starting to take driving lessons is definitely something I want to tick off.
Who’d play you in a biopic about your life?
Jodie Comer because people who aren’t from Liverpool never get a scouse accent right.
What’s a skill you’re working on mastering?
I started learning to ski back in March and I’m not great at it. I’d love to be able to confidently ski without being scared for my life. I’m working on overcoming my fear of heights and steep hills. I recently made it to the top of Chill Factore for the first time.
What are you most excited about in life right now?
Well, it’s the General Election tomorrow, so I’m quite excited to see what life under a new government could look like. I’ve got two weeks off in August and a holiday which I’m looking forward to too!
One last question – who should we spend 5 minutes with next month?
I nominate Goda Dragunaite.