A passion for social regeneration and the positive impact of connecting people and place has guided Michele Bryans in her career as Assistant Chief Executive EastSide Partnership and EastSide Greenways Manager.
Read how she became a Regeneration Manager
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I have worked in a variety of youth and community roles in east Belfast since 2007 including five years as a Restorative Justice practitioner at East Belfast Alternatives. I joined the EastSide Partnership team in June 2015 as the Community Engagement and Volunteer Manager for Connswater Community Greenway and took on the role as EastSide Greenways Manager in 2017. I am responsible for the strategic direction of the Connswater Community Greenway and EastSide Greenways concept plan. I am passionate about social regeneration and the positive impact of connecting people and place, to sustain healthy and resilient communities. Recently I was appointed Assistant Chief Executive alongside my colleague Chris Armstrong who manages EastSide Tourism.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I liked many subjects so it’s hard to choose, can I pick three? History, English Literature and Art & Design.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I have a BA degree in European Studies including Spanish from Queen’s University Belfast and recently completed a BA in Counselling Studies at Ulster University.
How did you get into your area of work?
When graduating from university in 2005, employment opportunities relevant to my academic achievements were very limited. I started work at Santander bank which was then located at Holywood Arches and in the city centre. However, I knew this wasn’t the career path I wanted to follow. I initially wanted to pursue post primary teaching and began volunteering in a youth work setting to gain experience. I enjoyed the informal educational approach and realised that many young people, especially in inner city communities really benefited from personal development support. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships formed through working with young people and after a few months I was offered a full time position. This began the start of my career in the community and voluntary sector in east Belfast.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
I always wanted to work with people and support others. I get a great sense of achievement from being around others who want to make a difference within the community and feel that great things happen when like minded people come together.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
A third level qualification is always helpful as it demonstrates certain aptitudes and skills such as theoretical knowledge and analytical skills. Work experience and volunteering in the sector are also essential as they provide opportunities for practical understanding and reflection.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
Volunteering. It provides experience of the setting and the ability to build networks and relationships, which are extremely important. A lot of people working in regeneration have a strong community and altruistic background.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
A variety of different skills are essential but I would say the ability to build and sustain relationships with others is crucial as well as having strong empathy and being compassionate. It is important to be organised and manage your time effectively. It is not a 9 to 5 job and that’s what makes it exciting.
What does a typical day entail?
I start my day checking out emails and social media. It is important to keep on top of this as the job can be reactionary and unpredictable at times. It is also useful to know what others in the field are doing. There’s always a meeting to attend whether that is on a strategic level, checking in with staff or planning and delivering the next big project or idea. My role involves a lot of strategic planning which ranges from writing a report, completing a funding application or making important decisions for the organisation. Currently EastSide Greenways is running a series of webinars in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast aimed at raising awareness of and promoting ‘green’ issues. #GoEastSide webinars will run this autumn and winter, and aim to challenge, influence and explore what’s needed to help us lead ‘greener’ lives in our communities and city.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
I love that no two days are the same and the diversity of my job. It is important to be comfortable with change and to respond and adapt to the evolving needs of the community. It is great to see people get involved in the work we do and that east Belfast continues to be recognised as a great place worthy of international visits.
There are times when work can be challenging due to external factors, that can be hard and learning to let go of the challenges is important – I tend to focus on what I can control.
Why is what you do important?
When you are passionate about your city and the people who make it a great place, there is no better feeling knowing that you have played a part in helping to facilitate positive change. It is crucial that every citizen is provided with the opportunity to lead a healthy, happy and safe lifestyle, and have a say in how their community is shaped. It has been amazing to see east Belfast positively transform over recent years but we recognise there is still a lot more to do.
How has Covid-19 impacted your business/role?
The impact of Covid-19 has been a challenging time for everyone and has led to rethinking and adapting how we work to deliver our services. As an organisation we have been led by government guidance throughout and our offices have remained closed during the pandemic resulting in home working. Thankfully our parks and open spaces on Connswater Community Greenway have remained open with some reduced services at a time. The greenway has been a lifeline for our local community. We continue to observe the positive impact connecting people to nature has in building healthier, resilient and safer communities.
What adjustments have you had to make?
A lot of my work is meeting focused to agree and make decisions around project delivery, which we have had to adjust to virtual conversations such as zoom or Microsoft teams. We deliver an all year round animation programme on the Connswater Community Greenway and C.S. Lewis Square and unfortunately some events could not go ahead. We have however been able to provide some activity within government guidelines such as outdoor fitness sessions, walks, environmental task days etc.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Work hard, show up and get involved. Put yourself out there and accept every opportunity which comes your way. I have volunteered in youth forums, been on European and international exchanges, completed peace building courses and sat on numerous boards and forums. Building your network is crucial and every experience helps shape who you are and how you approach every situation.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
Urban planning or design.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Take a deep breath and just be yourself.
Describe your ideal day off.
My ideal day would be going for a nice walk or cycle to my local park with the kids and then maybe meeting up with friends in the evening time for a nice meal at one of my favourite eateries in east Belfast.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
Find something that interests you and that you don’t actually see as ‘work’. Something that you enjoy and that you are suitably matched to, not just in terms of your academic ability but your personal qualities. Everyone deserves a job that brings fulfilment and taps into your passions and brings you joy – most of the time anyway!
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