Inspirational women of GCP – meet Hazel

Meet Hazel our inspiring Finance Administrator

Hazel started with The Grassmarket Community Project in 2015 and feels she ‘struck it lucky’ as this was her first job from school. We think we struck lucky too! Hazel is a brilliant administrator and a fantastic ambassador for the Project and for the Modern Apprenticeship scheme.

Hazel is pictured above in the centre, between Catherine and Milly. They are all inspiring women of GCP. We were keen to ask Hazel more about what she does and who inspires her along the way.

Hazel and The Grassmarket Community Project

Hazel also sits at the centre of everything at The Grassmarket Community Project!

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, she calmly and efficiently gets on with running all the accounts admin, from purchases and sales to coordinating the year-end audit. She is also responsible for membership database administration and payroll management for the GCP and our sister organisations Greyfriars Kirk and the Charteris Centre.

As well as her day job responsibilities, Hazel is regularly seen helping at events, with member activities, and chatting with members whilst serving lunches.

When she was 18, Hazel started her apprenticeship with us as an Admin Assistant. At school, Hazel describes herself as being very shy,

‘I was the sort of person who knew the answer but would never put my hand up in class.’

At first, she found the work environment quite daunting,

‘It is always hard to be pushed out of your comfort zone.’ 

Hazel’s confidence grew as she progressed through the apprenticeship and successfully undertook her accountancy and bookkeeping qualifications. It wasn’t long until she became Finance Administrator.

Hazel’s work ethic and inspiration

Hazel credits her work ethic to her sisters, mum and gran who she names as the women who have inspired her most.  She is grateful for their love which makes her feel brave enough to do anything,

‘Their compassion and love helps me believe in myself. They believe in me and don’t care if I fail or win, they are happy either way.’

Hazel shares common values with everyone at the Grassmarket Centre. When asked what she would improve about her role, rather than suggesting something for herself, she says,

‘I’d love it if we could get more money so we could offer our members more.’

Hazel has stayed so long at GCP because she says she realises a good group of people makes working easier,

‘The best thing about the Grassmarket is its members and staff. The people make such a difference and every day is different.’

Hazel is grateful for her successful career to date. Her advice to anyone entering the workplace is,

‘Follow what you want to do and surround yourself with people who will help you achieve that.’

Hazel truly is a fantastic ambassador for The Grassmarket Community Project.