Barclays Bank PLC - The 4th Year

After becoming independent in the role as "unauthorised and unpaid clerk" for 6 months it was time to learn, move on and up and begin a new role. This was to be managing all the Direct Debits and Standing Orders for my current branch in Churchill Square Brighton. An exciting position that would also promote me to a clerical grade 3. To begin this next step I spent a week watching and learning from the person currently doing the job. Then for a further week the roles were reversed, so I completed all the work myself while the person training me watched over me to make sure I was competent. I mastered all the challenges that were needed in order to become an excellent skilled direct debit and standing order clerk. The Bank manager at the time was totally happy with my performance. A position in the Banking world that I would become very proud of. Being a very tidy person, I remember sorting out every customer file to an expert level. It was a wonderful experience to be able to be in control and manage this demanding and important job title. Something to this day I never regret!

Barclays Bank PLC - The Third Year

After becoming a well established and trained Bank Cashier for 6 months it was time to move on and up in the career path. My new job title would be called "unauthorised and unpaid clerk". This meant it was my job to return unpaid Direct Debits, unpaid Standing Orders and unpaid Cheques due to lack of funds. The customer would also be charged a fee for not having enough funds in their Bank Account. Forms would need to be filled in and phone calls would need to be made to the Bank and branch where the persons Bank Account originated from. There were other tasks I had to do. I needed to collect all the credits and debits from each cashier and get them ready to be processed throughout each day. In between it was my job to also answer the telephone for my branch,every time a customer called. "Good morning or good afternoon, Barclays Bank PLC, Churchill Square Brighton, how may I help you"? In time I would memorize the internal extention numbers to which calls were re-directed to oher members of staff and departments. This job was rewarding and exciting because I did the work everyday on my own.

Barclays Bank PLC - The Second Year

This was the start of a wonderful career. It was so much fun learning how to be a cashier in a Bank. Having always enjoyed mathematics this was right up my street. Such an amazing experience working with lots and lots of money. It of course was not mine, but that did not matter. I can remember counting all the notes and coins,a skill that I would become very good at. Speed was the essence, to cash up everyday and get the till right to the penny. Processing credits and cheques was a big part of each day. Something that of course has changed masively over the years. Each member of staff would need to go on a cashier course for 2 weeks as there was so much to learn. Being a cashier and meeting the puplic daily would become rewarding and a great experience. I was to work in what was then 'my branch'as well as local branches too. When staff where off sick in my area I would be sent there to cover. This I was more than happy to do because I had my own car. I remember working in Brighton, Hove, Lewes, Portslade, Shoreham and Southwick. It was great to meet new people and make friendships with the teams and managers.

Barclays Bank PLC - The First Year

What a fantastic journey I have been on working full time in this Bank. To be honest the first year was a bit boring, but I suppose that was always going to be the case. During this first year a would learn some of the simple tasks which a new employee could tackle. These would include posting Bank Statements, answering the telephone and learning people skills. Something which in time I would need when dealing with the public. I worked in the machine room, learning how to process cheques and work a very large computer. These of course are no longer widely used, but they where at the time. Overtime I would learn how to work with other members of staff in this enviroment. Later I would be taught how to be the machine room assistant and the machine room supervisor. A whole new range of skills which I am still unable to declare, top secret!

Work Experience 1979 - 1983

I began my working career in 1979. From the age of 13 years, in careers school groups I decided that when I was old enough I would love to work in a Bank. Being good at mathematics was probably the reason for taking this path. I have always found this subject easy to grasp and enjoyable to learn. At the age of 17, during January I went ahead with interviews from the top six Banks. These included National Westminster Bank, Barclays Bank, Midland Bank, Lloyds Bank, TSB and the Cooperative Bank. The first interview was with the National Westminster Bank. One of the top Banks at the time. The second interview was with Barclays Bank, who offered me a job straight away. So of course I accepted their offer of a 35 hour full time contract. This was to become a great career that lasted for 15 years. More about all my experience next time!

Helen Arlidge CreateCrochet.co.uk

About Me My name is Helen and I am 59. I grew up in Brighton and Woodingdean a suburb of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom, with my parents and younger brother. My brother and I were quite close then, which was really nice. My Mother had what I now know was post natal depression. Not a nice illness to have. This meant that after School finished I would go home and look after him. When he became a teenager he didnt need me so much. This was the start of us seeing less of each other. We slowly grew apart as we went in different directions in our lives. As there are 10 years difference between us it has become clearer over time that we would not meet as much. Things have definately changed since becoming adults. I went to Rudyard Kipling Infant and Junior Schools in Woodingdean. I cant remember much about Infant School, but have both happy and sad memories of Junior School. At play time my friends and I would get together to play french skipping or marbles. These were happy memories. At this School I learnt a lot about people and their personalities. Some of these friendships would turn out to be difficult and sometimes challenging. Something that has stayed with me throughout adulthood. At the age of 11 years it was time to move on. So I would then spend the last 6 years at Longhill High School near Rottingdean. More about that next time...