Joining in at a pivotal time...

The winds of change have been blowing through the October Books team recently, with staff moving on to new locations and roles.

To fill some of the gaps, I’ve recently joined as the Membership Coordinator.

Introductions can be tricky – where do I start?

My professional qualifications might be of interest – the fact that I used to work as a solicitor, before self-publishing a novel.

Or I could tell you a bit about my personal background: highlighting the ways my faith, or education or experiences as a Black British woman of Jamaican heritage have shaped me. I could mention my young children and how seeing the world through their eyes continues to influence my perspectives.

Whatever I say, it takes time to really get to know each other.

So, perhaps the most relevant starting point is our common ground: the values we share as supporters of October Books.

I love the vision of October Books – the way this community upholds the values of community, storytelling, learning and inclusion. Through the books and products sold, the events and individuals hosted, and the way the shop and community structures itself, October Books advocates for positive social change.

It’s good to join in.

When I moved to Southampton, one of the spots I knew I would miss most from my hometown of Reading was the World Shop run by Reading International Solidarity Centre. It felt like a wonderful moment of serendipity to discover my new city had a similar space, and that our relocation coincided with a community share offer.

I’ve been a member since autumn 2022, and have met a few other members in person at meetings throughout the year. But I know the community’s pool of members reaches far wider, with a rich and important history.

Although I’ll only be working a few hours each week, my initial priority will be to explore how to help members feel more connected to each other and the daily life of October Books.

I want to ensure we capture members’ stories of the shop’s past successes, and draw on its heritage to help promote and inspire the wider community to engage in our shared future.

Look out for further updates in the coming weeks – I’m excited to work with you!