Papercut - March 2022

March 2022

PAPERCUT The Colleague Magazine

International women’s day SPECIAL

When papercut met Poppy’s papercuts

Neurodiversity Celebration Week March 21st - March 27th

FROM KATHERINE to you Dear Paperchasers, It’s March already and there are so many reasons to celebrate and share what’s going on across the business! In this edition of Papercut, you’ll hear as we embrace some AMAZING women and female-identifying colleagues who wow, praising some of the best in the biz in honour of International Women’s Day (celebrated on Tuesday, 8th March).

Let’s also learn about living with some potentially hidden disabilities (and awesome talents!) ahead of Neurodiversity Celebration Week towards the end of March.

Many of you have bravely come forward to share your own stories or taken the time to share the story of someone close to you, thank you for helping to educate and celebrate all the things that make us diverse.

For those who have written in to shout about a colleague, thank you for your contributions, it’s so lovely to hear everybody spreading the love and of course, that magical touch of Paperchase Joy.

Fresh-thinking is one of our biggest talents at Paperchase, so this really is an opportunity to embrace and educate ourselves and each other.. but also to THANK all those wonder-women in our business and celebrate those who think differently from what society typically expects.

Many of these colleagues are juggling multiple roles in life, with multiple pressures but have multiple talents to share too! I’m hugely proud to hear your story and inspiring contributions to being a Paperchaser, and want to encourage you to embrace, educate and celebrate our differences. Not just in March but throughout the year. It takes a special kind of person to be a Paperchaser, so shout it from the roof-tops…and do keep sharing your submissions for future magazines. It’s lovely when it comes from a close colleague too, who recognizes and appreciates your contribution.

Happy reading!

KDavies Katherine Davis, Chief Retail and People Officer

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contents 04. Your March Mood 05. Who’s your on-screen spirit mum?

06. International Women’s Day Women Who Wow 07. The Nominations 17. Neurodiversity Celebration Week 18. What is Neurodiversity?

20. Colleague Stories - Diagnosed with autism at 46 with Katie Turner 24. Colleague Stories - On ADHD with Chelsey Hulbert 27. Colleague Stories - In Conversation with Ellie Stewart

Page 20

Page 6

30. Colleague Stories - Sophie Frankis 33. We’re on TikTok! 34. When Papercut Met Poppy’s Papercuts

Page 34

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The first 3 words you see define your #MARCHmood

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who is your ON-SCREEN spirit mum?

Use the personality guides below to identify which tv or film matriarch you’re most like!

3

2

1

Pamela Shipman, Gavin and Stacey - Flexi-Vegan - Looks out of windows to spy on neighbours - Lives for the drama

4

Beth Pearson, This is Us - Calls it how it is - Always sees the bigger picture - Gives the best advice

5

Donna Sheridan, Mumma Mia - Karaoke queen - Friends with all their exes - Would rather be abroad

6

June George, Mean Girls

Kris Jenner, KUWTK

Dr Jean Milburn, Sex Education.

- Always has a cocktail in hand - First one with their camera out (usually for the gram) - Hates staying in

- Organsies all the girls’ holidays - Has loads of friends - Always up for trying the the latest trends

- The therapist of the group - Open minded - Loves finding a good bargain!

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THE NOMINATIONS

There are a lot of women in this company, and rightly so. In fact, there’s not a single team within the business that isn’t graced by the presence of at least one bold, target-smashing and invincible leading lady. From the number crunchers to our digital divas, retail queens to creative extraordinaire’s ... ladies of Paperchase, we’ve got it going on.

Whilst we may be spread out throughout the various layers of this business, we are all inextricably linked by the Paperchase bond that binds us all together as one big, fun-loving and fresh-thinking family.

In honour of International Women’s Day and to celebrate just some of the many wonderful women in this company, we’ve asked some senior Paperchasers to nominate those we like to call: ‘Women Who Wow’.

A Woman Who Wows is someone who goes above and beyond, exceeding the expectations of those around her. She is someone who may be balancing life as a mother, carer, grandmother as well as being a committed colleague or someone who simply needs a pat on the back just for being them.

To all the women pulling the strings behind the scenes and front of house, thank you for everything.

Without further ado, let’s look at some of the women raising the roof of the Papersphere.

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TASHA CUMMINGS, HOLLY FREEMAN, NEEMA PATEL & REEYA PATEL

Women Who Wow

Firstly, I’d like to nominate Tasha Cummings, Store Manager at our London Bridge store with its extended trading hours and operationally challenging and busy sales floor, who is also an incredible mother to her daughter, an artist and creative thinker and supportive team player. Tash never misses a beat and is an uplifting positive role model for women everywhere!

Secondly, I’d like to praise Holly Freeman, Store Manager at our Bromleys store, for being a part time manager whilst juggling the joys of being a mum to two beauties, moving home and developing her team (which has led to 3 promotions into manager roles within the business!) all whilst balancing a store relocation. Holly and the team are on track to add an extra £250k on to full-year results. Holly shows the world you really can have it all and there is nothing that she can’t overcome!

Neema Patel, Assistant Store Manager at our London Bridge has been on a journey in her personal life over the last six months being a mum, sister and daughter in emotional times but has always been there for her team, has put on a brave smile and has never wavered in her positive approach to customers, even

when being emotionally drained. I couldn’t be more proud of how she’s been there for everyone and admire how she has reached out for help and support when needed and didn’t suffer in silence as so many of us tend to do.

Last but by no means least, I’d like to nominate Reeya Patel, Store Manager at our Kings Cross store as another woman who wows in the south!

She really didn’t know what she was signing up for when she agreed to tri-site three of our biggest station stores over peak – Arcade, Circle and Kings Cross. Reeya overcame incredible odds to keep all three stores trading when team members were isolating in their droves, colleagues were chosing to leave the business and when seasonal recruitment was at its most challenging. Reeya always took a step back, refocused, planned and executed her plans with precision. Those three months were extremely stretching and tested Reeya’s tenacity and determination. Its been an absolute pleasure to see how much Reeya has developed on this personal journey into the high performing Store Manager she is today.

From Dean.

From left to right: Tasha Cummings, Holly Freeman, Neema Patel and Reeya Patel

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Women Who Wow

Lizzie crombie I’d like to nominate Lizzie Crombie, our Store Manager at the Colchester store, who bounces around her store like tigger each and every day, brings fun and energy to life, interacts with ease with customers, brings smiles to everybody she talks to and truly living and breathing delightful customer care. This comes naturally to Lizzie who exudes our playful value and in turn has built strong relations with many regular customers who come back to the store for their fix of Lizzie. During a Christmas store visit, Lizzie sat me down to read out a funny and heart-warming poem she had taken the time to write for her team to say thank you during the busy Christmas period. Lizzie is also the first to use any excuse or occasion to dress up, lots of fun for her team and customers and creating an inviting party atmosphere in store. Keep doing what you do naturally Lizzie- being hilarious, generous and fun to be around!

From Chris.

KIRSTY PUGH I nominate Kirsty Pugh. I have nominated Kirsty for a number of reasons… firstly because of the absolute rock of support she is to me and all our stores in the West. Kirsty doesn’t just help and develop her own cluster, she does this for the whole area.

She steps up whilst I am on holiday and attends all of the calls with Katherine Davis and all of the area managers. She’s such a reliable point of contact and “go-to” for the Retail Operations Team and she is always wanting to take on more – to develop herself. As result of Kirsty’s thirst for taking on tasks and always learning and growing, she has a lot of plates spinning at once – this is what motivates her! She is extremely good at juggling lots of pieces of work at once, I don’t know how she does it! I admire her focus and drive doing things to the best of her ability and doing it the right way. Her work ethic is second to none! Kirsty is proof that if you want something bad enough, and you want to progress and want to get yourself far, then hard work, dedication and commitment to the caus really does pay off. Kirsty is now the Cluster Manager on the West, before that she was manager at our Tottenham Court Road and Merry Hill store, and before that she became Assistant Store Manager at Solihull after she started in Solihull as a supervisor. She has been with us for 12 years this June!

From Catherine.

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Deborah Lyons I want to nominate Deborah Lyons, Assistant Manager at our Silverburn store for my Woman Who Wows. Deborah has only been with us for over a year and absolutely embraces every Paperchase value on a daily basis.

Deborah always put her colleagues at the forefront of everything she does. She doesn’t allow anything to phase her and always has a smile on her face, she always leads by example and delights our customers. Deborah you are amazing – please continue to shine and pave the way for future Paperchasers!

From Lynsay.

CUSTOMER DELIGHT TEAM

A shout out to the superwomen I am lucky to work with and have on my team, daily!

The Customer Delight team never ceases to amaze me with their can do attitude, and resilience even when it can get quite chaotic, we thrive in the chaos! I am super proud of how each and every one of you ladies live and breathe our values daily and come together to make things work like clockwork for our customers.

From Chandni From left to right: Cindi Ngo, Joban Gill, Maya Patel, Lara Stiles, Sarah Hall, Jenny Mullinder, Lucy Ngo and Jessica Lashmar

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Laura Bertinelli I’ve gotten to know Laura (pronounced Loww-rah) over the last year as we went through our mental health first aid course together and shared some personal experiences that meant the world to each of us. As I said, being part of the hugely talented, creative gang who dream up all the own-brand designs that we sell across the world, it must have been hard to keep developing those creative and inspiring ideas whilst working from home and away from your trend-setting colleagues. This set-up was not only a challenge for Laura professionally and creatively, but - as a lovely Italian lady, she was unable to get home during the pandemic due to ongoing travel restrictions and felt very far away from her loved ones. Like many colleagues, she coped but found it challenging.

I was so inspired when

I found out Laura started a new, personal project over the winter and had designed a t-shirt, sweatshirt and tote bag to raise funds for a refugee charity [see link] - a cause that connected her own story to millions of people around the world who are displaced for reasons we may never experience ourselves.

Embracing her new homeland, Laura has also decided to seek British Citizenship, although I secretly hope she never loses that amazing Italian flair, passion and accent that reminds me so much of holidays in the sun... a million years ago!

Laura has taught me to appreciate the small things that keep us all connected in a world that has been turned upside down. By opening up and sharing how we were feeling in a safe space with trusted colleagues, she helped me walk in her shoes for an hour or two, and put my own difficult days into perspective. I also learned how important it is to channel our own creative energies (I’m no design talent!) but we can all be creative, and use creativity to improve our own mental health.. in tough times & in good times.

Grazie Laura. From Katherine

Laura is donating 30% of all profits from her t-shirt sales to refugee action, a charity working to help refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the uk. pRESS HERE TO SEE HER CAMPAIGN

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Women Who Wow

Whilst there are many Women Who Wow in our Design team (including Emily Hopgood, Jess Holt and Laura Girling who are big ambassadors for our D&I journey), I’d love to use this opportunity to give a special shoutout to the lovely Laura Bertinelli.

Women Who Wow

hANNAH HILTON & SARAH EVANS From Yvonne Carolan, senior merchandiser (stationery & collections) I am nominating Hannah Hilton and Sarah Evans (both Merchandisers on the Stationery & Collections team) as Women Who Wow as they are both strong women who embody our Paperchase values.

They are hard working, full of fresh ideas and always a pleasure to work with. Nothing is ever too much trouble for them and due to all of their excellent work we have seen consistent amazing program performance across their departments. They are a huge amount of fun to work with and as their manager, I really enjoy working with them.

They are bold fresh thinkers always coming up with new ideas to improve the business which inevitably leads to business success. Having worked with them both now for several years I am hugely proud of the strong leaders they have become and how amazing they are in their roles.

On a more personal level, I have enjoyed seeing them grow in their lives outside of Paperchase over the last couple of years. Sarah has become a mum to Albert and I am always amazed at how much energy she has left over to do such an amazing job! I really don’t know how she does it! Hannah has bought a new home, become a dog mum to Milo and is shortly getting married! Again, I am not sure where she gets all of her energy from but even with all that going on she still does a fantastic job. They are both amazing women and Paperchase is a much happier, brighter and successful place for having them.

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PEOPLE TEAM From Louise Ash, Head of People

“

As a People Team that has gone through significant changes, which has meant that there are some who have been here for 15 years and some just a matter of weeks, but regardless, every new person gets a warm welcome and a place where we work together and make decisions together regardless of title or longevity.

All are balancing home lives, getting married, new babies on the way or children starting school and not one person has taken the foot off the gas, getting things done in a timely and professional manner. I’m super proud of the support we give each other through tough times and all whilst still supporting others across the business.

Special mention goes to Laura Cole, after fifteen years at Paperchase, she continues to do her payroll magic and has a willingness to take on more and learn new things!

From left to right: Laura Cole, Eloise Breen, Jaynita Patel, Hannah Carter, Jade Callard, Holly Grubb, Charlotte Morgan, Helen Jennings and Jane Welch

”

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From LJ Watson, Head of Brand

Women Who Wow

“

The women I work alongside in the Brand team are all amazing and I feel lucky to be part of such a strong and inspiring team. I’m super happy to celebrate them ALL as Women Who Wow for our International Women’s Day edit. Having joined the business in October last year, and still feeling relatively new, I’ve been moved by how supported and welcomed I have felt in such a short period of time. As a collective they are passionate about upholding a culture that promotes open and honest conversations, strong work ethics and innovative thinking.

Seeing challenges as opportunities – the team are always open, considerate, and fresh thinking in their approach.Also, as might be expected from a team of communicators, they go above and beyond to work cross functionally, forging new paths and thinking about the bigger picture to ensure each project can be a success. In short, the team are incredibly passionate and engaged with their work, and that is such an inspiration.

”

TEAM BRANd

From left to right: Paige Newton (Marketing Manager), Renais Mehmet (PR and Marketing Executive), Sara Secco Weidar (Social Media Manager), Charlotte Williams (Copy Writer) Emma Cunningham (Junior Copywriter) and Violet Novani (Content Executive).

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SUPER WOMEN from peter drewitt, head of property Pete assured us this is a photo of him in his younger years... we’ll take your word for it Pete!

From left to right: Dee Zand, Catherine Kay, Katherine Davis, Jennifer Ralton, Lynsay O’Neill, Rebecca Cook, Gillian Appleyard and Georgina Pollock.

I work closely with an amazing group of women spanning multiple departments of this business each day and they are all fabulous. I work most closely with Georgina Pollock (Senior Property Officer), Katherine Davies (Chief Retail and People Officer), Jennifer Ralton (Head of Customer Experience), Megan Salmon (Accounts Assistant), Rebecca Cook (Commercial Finance Manager), Gillian Appleyard (Financial Controller), Catherine Kay (Area Manager for the West), Lynsay O’Neill (Area Manager for the North) and Dee Zand (Area Manager for International). They are all the best at what they do and are Women Who Wow every day of the week. I’m proud to work with such a great bunch of colleagues who continue to break through glass ceilings in areas that are often predominantly male-dominated.

I’m so fortunate that we collaborate so well together and deliver every single time. Whilst she already knows how grateful I am, I would like to give a special thanks to Georgina Pollock for always delivering beyond expectation and for her tremendous hard work and dedication over a difficult past year or two. I’d also like to give a shout out to Leah Pearson, Eleanor Hunt and Kelly Bates – three of our MEES partners (who our store colleagues will be more than familiar with). Leah, Ellie and Kelly silently look after our support office and stores on a daily basis. Put simply, I couldn’t do my job without them! To all the women I work with thank you for being who you are, enriching my Paperchase experience and making my working days enjoyable. You are all fantastic.

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cAMILLA dI DOMENICO, RADOSTINA GEORGIeva & Lucrezia Anatriello from paul davies, operational finance business partner Over my many years at Paperchase I have worked with some amazing women including Laura Torrance and Jean Clark who many may remember but I am now privileged to work with three amazing women in the Stock and Payables team. Over the last 18 months they have worked through unprecedented levels of disruption, learnt new roles and have consistently delivered excellent work and they motivate me through their enthusiasm and commitment every single day. Despite all doing very different things, they show real team spirit and are always happy to help each other and keen to learn new skills. The company and I owe Radostina and Lucrezia a huge debt for looking after the company’s purse strings and Camilla for the support she’s given stores through their Stocktakes, making sure their stock levels are correct to help them deliver at peak trade. I would like to give them all a big shout out for being an amazing team, for always being themselves and wowing on a daily basis!

Kitty Hy & Mollie perry From nick Parkes, senior buyer (cards & collections) The Buying team have gone through a lot of change over the last couple of years, so a special mention goes out to two of the Stationery team who have stuck with Paperchase through thick and thin. Firstly, Kitty Hy who recently passed the milestone of 10 years in the business and is the team’s longest serving member! Kitty is the driving force behind our beautiful collections and has a great ability to develop winning product ranges year after year. Her creative eye and control over the entire process is wonderful to see.

Secondly, Mollie Perry has been with us for 6 years and, similarly to Kitty, has worked across a lot of the categories in the business. Recently Mollie stepped up when our previous notebooks buyer left and has delivered all the newness for SS22 and AW23 without breaking stride, ensuring continuity in this most important product category, so a special thanks goes to Mollie for her efforts!

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wHAT IS nEURODIVERSITY?

N

eurodiversity is the idea that it’s normal and acceptable for people to have brains that function differently from one another.

Rather than thinking there is something wrong or problematic when some people don’t operate similarly to others, neurodiversity embracess all neurological differences. Someone who is considered neurodivergent thinks differently from the way society expects or deems as ‘normal’.

Neurodiversity at work: People with neurodivergent features may spend a lot of time trying to adjust to their work environment. They may need to manage their social impressions or find ways to block out distractions. Over time, this extra effort can take a toll on work performance and physical and mental health, particularly if something goes undiagnosed.

Focus on the Positive

It is also an umbrella term for those with Autism, ADHD, OCD, Tourettes, Epilepsy, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and more.

Neurodiversity advocates suggest there’s too much attention on the impairments that come with neurodivergency. They think a better approach is to focus on what someone’s good at, not what they lack.

Neurodiversity differs from mental illness, which refers to patterns of behaviour where a person experiences a ‘state of mind’ that is different from their ‘normal self’. Though people who have neurodivergent features may need accommodations at work or school.

And while there’s a distinction between neurodiversity and disability, right now, some people want to hold on to the identity of disability to acknowledge that some workplaces and school settings haven’t fully adjusted just yet.

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Autism / ASD

ADHD

Dyslexia OCD Dyspraxia

Dyscalculia Tourettes /tic disorders

Dysgraphia

and much, much more.

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Katie Turner “I was Diagnosed with Autism at 46.”

K

atie Turner, Supervisor at Warrington Paperchase was formally diagnosed with autism in December 2021 at the age of 46, following what she described as a “lightbulb” moment. Until that point, she had always thought of herself as shy, self conscious, socially awkward and, in her words - a bit odd. Katie reached out to us when she heard we were looking for people to contribute to our Neurodiversity Awareness Week piece, so we dug a little deeper to find out more about her and her experience with life on the spectrum. Before we do that though, we’d like to personally thank Katie for sharing her story with us to help spread awareness about autism and Neurodiversity.

Hey Katie! You described havng a ‘lightbulb’ moment , what was that like for you?

The moment I realized that I was autistic was almost a comical ‘oh!’ moment; I was sitting on my sofa not even thinking about it and something just clicked. I think if anyone had been with me at the time, they would have seen an actual lightbulb over my head!

What was the process of your diagnosis like?

Lots of parents realise they’re autistic when they’re going through an assessment for their child’s autism, and that’s exactly what happened to me. I’d been dealing with my 10-year-old son’s appointments for over two years and had read a lot about autism, but it took until last year for me to realise that I was autistic, too.

Suddenly my entire life had been explained – all my difficulties and how I’ve experienced life.

I remember feeling overjoyed that there was an explanation for it all, suddenly it all made sense.

After that, so many things from my past popped into my head and I’ve been constantly thinking ‘ah, of course!’ to myself. My mind is still blown that I got to 46 years old before I realized.

I decided to go for a private assessment because there is currently a two-year-plus waiting list for adult assessment with the NHS where I live, and I don’t deal well with things that don’t have quick resolve (another autism thing!). I found a local company that does autism assessments and got in touch in June last year to find out about waiting times and costs. I decided to go ahead and put my name

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Neurodiversity Celebration Week on their waiting list. My assessment took place in December last year, and I got my diagnosis on the day.

Between June and December, I kept a notebook that I wrote everything about myself in.

Whenever I thought of something else worth noting, i wrote it down which helped me to prepare myself for the assessment day. It was overwhelming to see it all written down in one place. I was really nervous on the day because I was worried that they’d tell me that I wasn’t autistic and that I would be back at square one again not having an explanation.

What was the assessment like?

The actual assessment was with a clinical psychologist and a speech and language therapist, and it lasted for two hours. The first part was just talking; me telling them why I arranged the assessment and them asking questions. The second bit was to work out how I’m autistic – as in which things I am most affected by. There were a few tasks to complete, which the psychologist set out and talked me through, and the speech and language therapist watched how I interacted.

I felt massively relieved when they told me my diagnosis and burst into tears! I left the building afterwards and sat in my car and phoned my sister to tell her. Then I told everyone else, and I mean everyone.

Have you had to make any adjustments in your day-to-day life to accommodate your diagnosis?

Like a lot of autistic females, I’m really good at masking (hiding what I’m feeling, watching and copying what other people say and do in different situations, making myself do things that don’t feel comfortable, even pretending to myself that I’m someone else who can deal with the situation).

In the past, when I’ve done new things, I always wished it would be a couple of weeks in the future, so the situation wouldn’t be new anymore so I could cope with it better. If anything, my post-diagnosis adjustment has just been to be more myself – without the mask. I’ve been a lot kinder to myself since my diagnosis; whenever I’m struggling with something, I remind myself why I’m struggling and that it’s okay. It feels better knowing there’s a reason.

Also, when meeting new people, I tell them I’m autistic because that way I know they already

“ Like a lot of autistic females, I’m really good at masking. ” know the reason I may be coming off as anti-social or rude; or if the conversation isn’t really flowing; or if my eye contact is barely there or super intense.

It just feels more comfortable to just be me. I also wear an ‘Autistic and Proud’ badge to work and that feels like a security blanket for the same reason.

On a couple of occasions customers have been a bit patronizing – as if they’re thinking they’re thinking ‘oh bless, they’ve let her have a go on the till today’, but it has also started some interesting conversations with customers who are also autistic or are looking into getting assessed themselves. Since my diagnosis, I have also found it easier at work because I feel comfortable asking for instructions to be repeated or simply mentioning if I’m feeling nervous about

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doing something new.

What strengths does your autism give you?

Both my eye for detail and drive to finish a task once I’ve started really help me at work. If I’m given a task, it will be finished to the best of my ability. I also generally notice if customers might also be neurodivergent and am mindful of what their needs might be.

I’ll give honest and frank answers to questions. I’ll do anything I possibly can to help a friend fix a problem and I have a strong sense of justice. I don’t play games – what you see and hear from me is just the truth.

Are there any areas you find you need support with?

Yes. My executive functioning is affected, and I need a bit of extra time to process what is expected, and how to tackle a task – especially if it’s the first time I’ve done that task, I ask a lot of questions to make sure I have all the details that I think I’ll need. I find it easier to complete a task if it’s broken down a bit – if the instructions are too open, I find it hard to work out how to get started.

How would you describe life on the autism spectrum?

Like I said, I’ve always noticed things about myself but always put them down to me being awkward, shy and just a bit odd. I’ve always struggled socially – never knowing quite what to say to people; I have to remember to ask questions to the other person to keep a conversation going as it doesn’t come naturally to me.

I don’t often feel like I fit in – sometimes I feel like I’m intruding on other people’s friendships when really, I wish that I could just know how to be a part of it. I find it much easier if I have something in common with other people, so my group of friends are mums I met at my son’s school and the people I spent my late teens and early twenties with – oh, and people who enjoy knitting and crochet. I class the lovely Warrington Paperchasers as friends, I feel comfortable being myself around them and they’ve been nothing but supportive of my autism journey.

If I know there will be a situation where I have to talk to people, I try to think of things I can say to them in advance, so I feel more prepared.

I have also always needed time to process things before I can begin a task, whether that was at school, home or at work and felt like a bit of a failure when other people could just get on with the task at hand.

A lot of sensory things have always affected me too. If a smell isn’t ‘just right’ I feel overwhelmed by it and can’t concentrate on anything else. Sounds really affect me too – a child suddenly shrieking, a fast train passing by, or a fire alarm will make me feel very on edge and I can ‘feel’ the noise too; things like a clock ticking, someone eating noisily, shoes or chair legs being shuffled on the floor often make me feel irritated and distracted. On evenings out with friends I almost always end up zoning out because the background noises can be too much; people talking at the same time, cutlery hitting plates and loud music can all get a bit much and I have to switch myself off a bit to be able to cope.

Even looking at colours affects me – pastels and beige or grey type colours make me feel empty and bored, and anything in rainbow colours make me feel full up and happy (the colours have to be in the correct order though!).

I’ve always been a picky eater and can only eat food if I’m enjoying it. I can only eat fruit and vegetables if they have the ‘correct’ taste and texture and often I’ll eat the same meals every day for weeks because I know I’ll enjoy them.

There’s a lot of other things too. I think it’s all really interesting, even though it’s hard work day to day. I feel exhausted if I’ve had to do a lot of masking to achieve something, even if it’s something that I really want to do.

In your opinion, why do you think we are seeing more adults diagnosed with autism than ever before?

I think it’s because when my generation were children, autism wasn’t really a thing that was diagnosed unless it was very obvious, nor was it widely known about. Like me, a lot of parents notice their autistic children’s traits in themselves

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What would you say are the benefits of an adult diagnosis?

Self-acceptance. I feel much happier now that I have an explanation. My assessment report came with a list of suggested reading and ideas that might help me day to day. It also came with a list of suggestions for friends, family and employers that could help me. It’s a huge benefit to have a personalised list of things to try.

Are there any disadvantages of later diagnosis?

The only thing that I’ve found to be a disadvantage is trying to work out which bits of my personality are me and which parts are my mask. I do wonder how different my life might have been if I had been diagnosed as a child, but as I said before, that wasn’t really a thing back then.

There are stereotypes about autism, like social awkwardness, difficulty reading emotions, high intelligence and hyper-fixation on a particular subject. To what extent would you agree or disagree with these?

It’s important to remember that every autistic person is unique, in the same way that every neurotypical person is unique. Each person will have their own set of autistic superpowers. Personally, I can only recognise the social awkwardness one from that list in myself. I don’t think I have difficulty reading emotions, but I do have difficulties picking up on social cues. I ‘m not highly intelligent but

I have a lot of common sense and often think of unusual ways to fix problems. I’m not hyper fixated with any one subject, but I do feel very strongly about the things that I do believe in, these being veganism, animal cruelty and, people being nice to each other!

Catherine Kay, Senior Area Manager for the West I am unbelievably proud of Katie for sharing her journey with us all and speaking up about autism awareness.

I have worked with Katie for a good while and she has always been the sunshine of our team in Warrington with her bright personality and bright clothing and on the surface she has always seemed to bubble with confidence.

However, since her diagnosis I can see such a difference in her. She is still the sunshine girl who lights up the room with her personality, but there is something more…it’s like the confidence I thought she had before has doubled. Katie is more self-assured, and it shows. Being diagnosed with autism has answered so many of the questions Katie had about herself and it feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders enabling her to understand herself so much more, which now allows her to be even more confident in herself.

Thank you for sharing Katie – I hope your story inspires and educates others.

MARCH 2022 Papercut, The Colleague Magazine 23

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

and then seek assessment.

My experience with adhd Chelsey Hulbert, Supervisor at our Manchester Arndale store, was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) last June. In this interview, she tells us about her diagnosis, how her condition manifests itself and what bugs her about most about the misconceptions of ADHD. Hello Chelsey! Could you tell us a bit more about your diagnosis and the diagnosis process?

Sure - so I was diagnosed with ADHD in June last year when I was almost 31. At the time I was studying for my masters in Egyptology and was struggling to find the motivation for my assignments and class prep work during the third lockdown (December 2020 - March 2021). Despite having a lifelong passion for Egyptology and always knowing that I worked better on campus and in the library (though I didn’t understand why at the time), I found it almost impossible to concentrate alone at home.

The second lockdown during October and November of 2020 had been equally difficult. It was at that time that I had downloaded TikTok and happened to fall into ADHDTok, which finally gave reasons and names to things I had been feeling and experiencing for my entire life! Aware that you can’t diagnose yourself from a social media app, I did some more research before finding out about Psychiatry UK in late January 2021. They accept referrals from the NHS, as the NHS waiting list for an adult diagnosis for ADHD can be up to 3 years long, and

by this point I was deeply depressed and could not imagine having to wait that long for help. I arranged a phone appointment with my GP, was referred to and accepted by Psychiatry UK and found out in March that I had an appointment with a psychiatrist just three months later.

What was the appointment like?

The actual assessment was an hour long and was mainly me talking through my answers to a list of questions that been sent to me prior to the appointment. The document was about 18 questions long and asked me to consider and recount examples for things like “Do you have trouble regulating your attention”, or “Do you avoid, dislike, or are reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time?”. That question struck me as amusing, as I got bored and distracted multiple times while completing the questionnaire, even though the end goal of diagnosis was so important to me.

Did you fully understand what ADHD was at the time of your diagnosis?

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After relating to the videos I was watching from creators with ADHD on TikTok, I did further research and finally felt like I understood so many of my characteristics and things that I did. Such as time-blindness (I take at least half an hour in the shower, yet it feels like I’ve been in there about 10 minutes!), object permanence (items in the fridge that are hidden behind other things will never get used as I can’t see them so forget that they exist), impulsivity (talking over people in conversations, or finishing their sentences because they are “taking too long”), and executive dysfunction (no matter how much I need or want to do a task, I have times when I can’t make my body get up and do them, or my brain won’t shut up for long enough for me to focus. So, I guess I understood ADHD in the sense of what it meant for me. But I think it’s important to point out that not everyone who has ADHD will share the same experience.

Have you had to adjust your life in any way to suit you better?

I haven’t adjusted how I approach things because of the diagnosis, but I think I have been doing it unconsciously for my whole life without realising it! When you struggle with something, you look for ways to enable you to achieve the task. The diagnosis has enabled me to adjust my thought process about things, and to be kinder to myself, giving myself credit for what I can do, and not beating myself up for the things I find hard and need external or personal adjustments for.

Is there anything you think people need to understand more about ADHD? Although ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, people with ADHD do not actually have a deficit of attention, they just struggle to regulate where that attention goes. If I am interested in something, I can hyperfocus on it for hours or days (often without eating, drinking or sleeping). On the other hand, having to do something that doesn’t interest me makes me so bored that my brain itches, and my skin crawls with how under stimulated I am. Noone likes having to do things that don’t interest them, but neurotypical people get a dopamine hit from the satisfaction that comes from completing a boring task

- almost like being given a cookie as reward! People with ADHD struggle with the task, get frustrated and overwhelmed by how under stimulated they are and expend valuable energy in performing the task, and then don’t get the cookie reward from completing it. Also, ADHD is consistent in its inconsistencies; something I can handle without issue one day, could be so far out of my capabilities the next! This doesn’t make me lazy, stupid or uncaring, it just means I’m struggling on that day with executive dysfunction.

Are there any ways ADHD benefits you?

I’m a creative problem solver. I can often see multiple solutions for a problem, meaning I think so far outside of the box, I’m often not aware that the box exists (which can create its own problems!). I’m also a people pleaser, so I’m caring, kind and thoughtful towards those closest to me. Additionally, my hyper focuses have always been history based, so I am intelligent and knowledgeable about a lot of historical periods, and I believe we can learn so much from historical issues to improve ourselves and our actions in the present day to become more understanding and considerate of others.

Does it ever affect you negatively?

I’m a perfectionist and criticism highly affects me, so I always want to do things perfectly to avoid people being annoyed or upset with me. This also means I’m a procrastinator; the need to be perfect creates a paralysis when starting tasks and it then takes the pressure of time running out or of failure to enable me to do the thing! ADHDers also struggle with object permanence; if Ican’t see something, it does not exist. So, when people suggest I should have a diary to help me remember to do things, it’s frustrating because they just don’t work for me! I write in them, close them and whatever I’ve written down disappears into oblivion!

What advice would you give to someone who has been recently diagnosed with ADHD? Welcome to the community! Welcome to a group of people who empathise and understand what you’ve been going through, the things you’ve struggled with but couldn’t put into words and so never asked for help. We’ve got you, and we come with tried and

MARCH 2022 Papercut, The Colleague Magazine 25

tested neurodivergent tips and tricks!

What advice would you give to someone who things they may have ADHD? Do your own research about ADHD, and search online for the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) symptom checklist, which uses the frequency of your symptoms to give an indication of whether or not you may have ADHD. Go to your GP with a list of the symptoms of ADHD and times in your life when you have had those issues but be prepared for a long wait for diagnosis unless you can pay to go private or can be referred to a private company like Psychiatry UK. Ultimately, the diagnosis doesn’t fix your issues, but it can give you peace of mind and a greater personal understanding of yourself.

accepted manner). This leads to a late diagnosis in adulthood (if at all), at which point it can create a lot of grief over their “missed potential”.

What are some misconceptions of ADHD? “Oh, but everyone is a little bit ADHD”... that one really bothers me. Yes, everyone can be distracted, impulsive or forgetful at times, but having ADHD (especially undiagnosed ADHD) means you struggle with it much more frequently or all the time and it affects your day-to-day life.

You can end up hurting or annoying friends and family because you’ve forgotten to do something or be somewhere for them, and it is hurtful to think that they perceive that as you being selfish or not caring.

Are their differences between men and women with ADHD? Everyone with ADHD has a unique experience, just like all neurotypical people are unique and have their own defining characteristics. The main difference between men and women is the way that ADHD presents itself, and how it is received by society. Little boys running around classrooms and being troublemakers through their hyperactivity is more socially expected (“boys will be boys”) which facilitates the possibility of a diagnosis.

Girls are generally expected not act this way, often internalising their struggles and suffering in silence or may become labelled as ‘overly chatty’ (their hyperactivity presenting in a more

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Catherine Kay, Senior Area Manager for the West I’ve worked with Chelsey for a long time and will never forget the day she told Carina (Store Manager at Manchester Arndale) and I about her diagnosis. We were in the stockroom and Chelsey seemed quiet and preoccupied, with something clearly on her mind. She asked if she could have a word with us both, at which point the “oh no, she’s leaving us...” dread filled my body as it normally does when a colleague asks for a word. Fortunately, she wasn’t leaving and instead told us about her recent diagnosis with ADHD. I remember how immenseley proud I felt of her in that moment.

She explained in great detail how she was feeling beforehand, all the research she’d done, the diagnosis and how relieved she felt.

I remember her saying that it wouldn’t affect her work but she wanted us to know if her behaviour seemed a bit off or why she was more forgetful at times, that was why. Carina and I gave her the biggest bear hug! Poor Chesley was squashed in the middle of us [laughs].

I want to say a huge thank you to Chelsey for sharing her story. Everything she’s spoken about is so important and informative, and where better to raise awareness and educate each other than from one of our very own Paperchasers!

In Conversation with Ellie Stewart, Digital Trading Assistant Hey Ellie, thanks for reaching out and telling us about your brother’s experience – he was diagnosed with Asperges wasn’t he?

Yes, that was his formal diagnosis, and we still refer to it as that because that’s what we were told at the time, but now we know it’s not the best term to use. When I found out the history of the term, for me it didn’t feel like the best way to describe it, so my personal preference is to say ‘mild autism’. My brother still uses the term ‘Asperges’ though.

Could you tell us a little about bit about the history of the term ‘Asperges’?

Asperger’s Syndrome is named after Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician working under nazi rule in the 1930s and 40s. He was researching the abilities of children on the autism spectrum and eugenic superiority. Whilst he believed the special abilities of those on the spectrum could be superior to neurotypical children, he colluded in euthanising severely disabled children.

Is there any talk of formally changing the term?

I’m not sure. The term ‘Asperges’ was removed

“People jump to conclusions when they hear ‘autism’”

from the DSM (Diagnostic and Stastical Manual of Mental Disorders) in 2013. In the field of psychology and mental disorders, the term ‘asperges’ isn’t really a thing anymore, they don’t tend to use that name. Instead, they tend to place someone on the Autistic Spectrum, as Asperges is a mild form of Autism but as we all know autism is very much a spectrum, so I think the idea is that all autistic diagnoses are now placed on one spectrum as opposed to classifying each set of characteristics as separate things. But it may depend on the individual’s diagnosis or the type of practice.

How old was he when he was diagnosed?

Around 6 or 7 Did you understand what his diagnosis meant at the time? Or did you think he may have been on the spectrum before he was officially diagnosed?

I had no idea – I thought he was just being an annoying little brother getting loads of attention kind of thing [laughs]. Looking back on it now, it makes perfect sense. Being older and looking back on

MARCH 2022 Papercut, The Colleague Magazine 27

him as a kid and now as a young adult I understand it much better.

Has his autistic characteristics changed between childhood and adulthood?

Not really, his autism is more characterized by social interaction than anything else. He’s not what your typical 21-year-old is like. For instance, at his age I was at university and going out a lot but he has no interest in things like that. Going out and making friends isn’t a thing that he worries about, whereas for someone who’s not on the spectrum, that can be quite a big thing.

It’s noticeable in certain social situations – I remember when our nan passed away and we were sat round the table – he asked some blunt questions that weren’t really appropriate in the situation so to put it plainly, he doesn’t have much of a filter.

You mentioned he doesn’t have the worry of making friends like a neurotypical person, what kind of things would make him worry that wouldn’t make a neurotypical person worry?

Him not worrying about that is totally his experience and each experience is very individual to the person. But he is very conscious about going about his day. For me and a lot of people I know, we’re very aware of how we dress and present ourselves, but sometimes we have to remind him that it’s hot or cold outside and they he may want to rethink what clothing he’s put on. That’s the main thing that stands out but as I said, it’s a very broad spectrum and it may not be the same for everybody. When autism is in it’s more severe form, people need more support in their day-to-day activities, whereas his is more socially focused.

Is it fair to say that neurodivergent think differently?

Yes – I guess the clue is in the name, but it doesn’t mean it’s totally opposite to how people who aren’t on the spectrum think, it’s a different path and sometimes a different result. It’s more about how your brain is wired and how your neurons interact with each other. Scientifically yes, we ‘think’ differently, but that difference isn’t black and white. We get to the same result but go about it in a different

way. Sometimes we have different responses to things – what is easy for a neurotypical person to do may cause someone on the spectrum to feel overwhelmed. So, it’s more about how our brains are wired than anything else.

Do you think there’s any instances that would cause a neurotypical person to feel overwhelmed that a someone on the spectrum would find easy?

It’s interesting – it’s not necessarily a struggle for him to converse, but it may be a struggle for the observer. He will happily speak to anybody and say anything it just may not be relative to the conversation or be quite blunt! It’s never meant in a harmful way. A neurotypical person may struggle with small talk and things like that, but as soon as there is a topic that comes up, he will keep going and going. He would actually find it easier to meet and speak to new people as for me, like many others, it may take a little while to settle in and keep the conversation going whereas he will keep talking and talking.

Was he in a mainstream school?

Yes in primary and secondary.

Did they have to make any adjustments for him to work comfortably?

Yes – like I said, he is on the mild end of the spectrum, so it ended up that he had a teaching assistant to keep his attention on the work at hand. In primary school and early years of secondary I think they thought he was disruptive, despite his formal diagnosis. It’s more that he was agitated and needed someone to bring him back in to focus. He got extra time in his exams, and he was given a laptop as it held his attention a lot more than holding a pen and paper like the traditional exam format. My parents did have to make a couple of visits to explain the support he needed though. Some schools really embrace neurodiversity in their curriculum and have a great support system within it. The schools near me weren’t the best for it though, despite being formally diagnosed, some kids were classed as disruptive, hyperactive or rude. I’ve not been in a school in years, but I’d like to think they’re better equipped for it now.

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What would you say are the biggest misconceptions of autism?

I think people can jump to conclusions and think that it’s severe and presents itself physically.

Whereas it can present itself in a manner of different ways and in a manner of different characteristics. I think media perception of it comes into play, where certain traits have been overexaggerated or overpronounced. I think people think they could look at someone and determine whether they’re autistic and that it’s more physically presenting rather than what it actually is - a bit like how people expect those with ADHD to be bouncing off the walls. If it comes up in conversation and I tell someone about my brother, sometimes they apologize but there’s really no need to – he’s entirely fine and just needs support socially.

Have you watched shows such as Love on the Spectrum or the Undateables? If so, what do you make of them?

It’s a tricky one. It brings attention to neurodivergent people and those on the spectrum want the same things as everyone else does, they want to find love and have a future with someone but it’s hard to watch sometimes as it is used for entertainment purposes. It’s hard to decipher if it’s used for comedic value or if it’s to genuinely help these people find love. But I’m sure the people on the show are fully briefed and aware of what they’re doing. But with the media, things can be edited and used for memes. I don’t think people think they’re doing anything bad with it, but they are using someone with a disability for comedic relief.

Why do you think we are seeing more adult diagnoses nowadays?

People are more understanding of it all now.

When I was younger, neurodivergent people were classed as hyper or disruptive or they would look to problems at home, but I think people are now more open to having the conversations, looking at themselves and identifying certain traits within them and think a formal diagnosis would help. A formal diagnosis helps people process it all and for the people I know who have been diagnosed in adulthood, diagnosis has brought relief and com-

fort. Also, the profession has probably changed – I think professionals are discovering more layers to the spectrum than what was previously thought.

Another factor is because neurodiversity manifests itself differently in different genders and typically women are diagnosed later in life.

You’ve mentioned you recognize some ASD tendencies in yourself – do you think that is a result of growing up with someone on the spectrum, or due to information on the internet or social media?

I would say the latter – nowadays, more and more people are sharing their diagnoses and experiences online. When I found out my brother was on the spectrum, I just thought everyone with a mild form of autism was like him, but it wasn’t until I saw other people sharing their experiences that I realized there’s other manifestations too. I think we’re all on the spectrum in some way! When you get older you’re more aware of yourself. It’s tricky though because the internet and social media is a great way to learn about neurodiversity, but there is also the possibility of people exaggerating or misdiagnosing themselves online.

What advice would you give to someone who knows someone who has been recently diagnosed or has had a diagnosis themselves?

I think it depends on your relationship with that person. Being quite young at the time of my brother’s diagnosis I didn’t quite process it – we still got in sibling fights because I wasn’t fully understanding of certain things. Now being 26, my approach would be very different. Opening up the conversation with that person is very important. Asking them how they feel about their diagnosis, and if they are struggling with anything, or if there’s anyway you can help support them through those initial stages.

But also, not treating them differently but being more understanding of their reactions to certain things or why they’ve responded to something in a certain way. If it’s your friend or someone close to you, the only thing different about them is now having a formal diagnosis. It may help to do some of your own research to understand how this person processes interactions and the world around them.

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Sophie Frankis “I really like having autism” Sophie Frankis, sales assistant at our Bluewater store is always trying to spread awareness about autism, so when she reached out to us and wantd to get involved in this edition of Papercut, we were over the moon! We caught up with Sophie and found out what life is like for her and what she wishes more people knew about autism...

Hi Sophie, thank you for coming forward to help us spread awareness about autism and neurodiversity as a whole, it’s so important to hear this first-hand from people like youself. Can you tell us a little bit about when and how you were first diagnosed?

I was about 4 years old when I was diagnosed. Me and my sister used to go to a sort of day care and it was actually my teacher who noticed I was different; I wasn’t talking at age 4, I didn’t want to play with anyone else and I didn’t really acknowledge anyone. The teacher talked to my mum and asked her to go through the code of conduct. This is all second hand information mind you as I have no memory of

this time. I was lucky to be diagnosed so early, as it’s hard to tell what tell-tale signs of autism and what’s just kid stuff. So, I was able to get the assistance needed such as speech therapy and help in school.

Was you aware of what autism meant at the time of your diagnosis?

Nope! I was just a little kid, so I had no idea about anything like that. I mean, I knew I was different, but didn’t really know why. I suppose that was a source of frustration for me.

How does being autistic affect your day-to-day life?

I have trouble reading the room, so I tend to overthink interactions. More so since it’s hard for me to pick up on people’s facial expressions and sarcasm.

I tend to say things without really thinking, but I think that’s more of a ‘me’ thing than an autism thing. I can’t sit still or do nothing for a long amount of time.

On car rides and bus rides I need something, either music, a book or somethin to do If I have to stay still for a long time but again, I’m not sure if that’s an autism thing or just me!

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Are there any areas you find you need support with?

Sometimes I need help understanding things like certain situations or tasks. I’m a fast learner (at least I’d like to think so) but sometimes I need some help.

I feel bad when I have to ask for help on things I’ve already been taught once but I’d rather get it right by asking for clarification then guess and get it wrong. I also need help when filling out important documents such as taxes, because I’m afraid of getting it wrong.

I’ve gotten better at both things but I still find I need a little help.

What advice would you give to someone who isn’t used to communicating to somebody on the spectrum?

Keep an open mind and don’t tip toe. We don’t bite (well I used to bite but that was years ago and I don’t anymore!). Talk to them like you would anyone else and don’t be afraid of asking questions. If you have questions, ask them because I promise they’ll be more than happy to answer them. At least meet the person and see how they are before making assumptions on what an autistic person is like.

aware of what autism really meant, and not make assumptions about people before meeting them, they’d have a better understanding. At the same time, I wish people wouldn’t feel uncomfortable about asking questions. Peope are afraid of offending me by asking questions, but I want to answer those questions so people can learn more.

How would you describe life on the spectrum?

That’s hard to say because I’ve never known life off the spectrum, so I have nothing to compare it to. Nor am I sure what’s an autism thing or what’s a normal thing but I suppose that’s half the fun. It’s interesting to say the least. I find that I see the details in little things and feel more calm when I’ve been given something to do such as crating or listening to music. I hyperfixate on things, which can be both good and bad. I can get excited about a subject I like or I can overthink situations to the point of anxiety.

Loud noises really scare me, but I’ve gotten better with that as I’ve gotten older. I think its pretty cool though, when I was young I was resentful about the fact that I thought differently. I wanted to be accepted and understand the things that everyone else did. But now I love that I think differently and that I notice things nobody else does. I often wonder what it would be like in someone else’s head or who I would be without autism. One thing is for sure; I wouldn’t be me.

“ I often wonder what it would be like in someone else’s head, or who I would be without autism. One thing is for sure; I wouldn’t be me! ”

What do you wish more people knew about autism?

That autism is a spectrum. That means no two autistic people are the same. Most people I’ve come across are surprised that I’m autistic, and I often wonder what they were expecting. I feel like people have an image in their mind of what an autistic person is, but I think it’s wrong to make assumptions about a person you haven’t met, autistic or not. I’ve had people talk down to me as if I’m a young child because they believed I wasn’t capable of adult conversation. I’ve been turned down from jobs because employers didn’t want to take the chance on someone who may need extra help. I feel that if more people were

What advice would you give to younger Sophie?

I’d say “stop biting people for God’s sake! I know you don’t understand why you’re different and want to be normal, but there is no such thing as normal.

MARCH 2022 Papercut, The Colleague Magazine 31

Normal is a fairy tale. You’ll never be normal so just be yourself. Be kind and enjoy things you really like.

Be weird and speak your mind. Be loud and be proud.”

What advice would you give to someone who has been recently diagnosed or is seeking assessment for autism or another neurodiverse inclination?

That there is nothing wrong with you and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Its okay to admit weakness and its okay to seek help when you need it.

You have nothing to prove to anyone and its best to make life easier for yourself by admitting that. Don’t be afraid of being different and think about what

Is there anything else you’d like to finish on?

I really like having autism. When I was a kid, it made me feel special and I enjoyed explaining my condition (if that’s the right word) to people who didn’t really know what to make of it. I explained it as part of my brain working differently from everyone else’s.

In fact, I still enjoy explaining it to others as I want people to feel comfortable enough around me to ask questions so they can learn what autism is really about.

“ There is no such thing as normal.

Normal is a fairy tale. ”

Dean Corneby, Senior Area Manager for the South

makes you, you.

In your opinion, what’s the best way to raise awareness of neurodiversity?

I think the best way is to talk to neurodivergent people. Talk to them, ask questions, have a nice conversation and don’t make assumptions about someone you don’t know. Avoid ill-willed questions such as ‘are you stupid?’ and you’ll be fine. If you’re really curious about something, then ask.

Do you think TV shows like The Undatables and Love on the Spectrum provide accurate portrayals of autistic people dating or pursuing love?

I haven’t watched Love on the Spectrum so I can’t comment on that one, but I’ve watched The Undatables and I think it’s rather accurate when it comes to portraying disabled adults. They’ve got some independence but still need some help with certain aspects, like dating.

I’m so proud to be working for a business that is shining a light on our talented colleagues who live life on the autisum spectrum.

Sophie is such a talented, vibrant and engaging colleague who lights up the store with her Positivity and fun loving nature, Sophie reminds us that embracing our differences, understanding each other’s approach to situations and recognising what makes each of us unique is what really makes the world a better place.

Sophie constantly delivers excellent customer service and is such an incredibly valued member of the Bluewater team. Thank you Sophie for being brave, courageous and strong, you’re an inspiration to us all!

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Social Media Update

“We’re on TikTok!” Meet Sara Secco Weidar, our new Social Media Manager!

Sara joined the company just a few weeks ago and is already making bold progress with our social media channels, most recently getting us signed up on the fastest growing social media channel in the world - TikTok. She has revealed that we will be showing EXCLUSIVE behind-thescenes footage of our in-house design team, showcasing the end-to-end creation journey of some of our best products and designs, all from the Paperchase Studios in the heart of London.

Sara has said we can expect to see content which: •

•

Shows the Paperchase social audience an intimate and first-hand look at the process behind some of our well-known creations, through the lens of the designers themselves.

Captures the fun and unique style of our de-

•

signers’ when creating cards, designs, and gifts, that is unique to the Paperchase brand.

Aligns Paperchase behind-the-scenes content with seasonal and cultural hooks, as well as key business objectives to maximize customer retention and brand loyalty.

Yep, it’s all VERY exciting over at team Brand at the minute.

If any stores would like to get involved, have ideas or want to film some of their own content to be shared on one of our channels - all they have to do is drop Sara an email with their idea to sara.seccoweidar@ paperchase.com Thank you Sara, we can’t wait to see what’s coming next!

Why not give us a follow?

@FromPaperchase MARCH 2022 Papercut, The Colleague Magazine 33

“I was a very naughty child and creativity was my outlet.”

when paperc

Poppy paid a visit to our Victoria Station store and was overjoyed with how the collection came together!

Poppy Chancellor is a Brighton based illustrator specialising in papercutting.

After studying illustration at Kingston University she went on to study at the Royal Drawing School where she started making customised paper artworks for friends and family. Creating personalised art pieces is a practice she has continued to refine with her private and commercial clients over the past ten years.

cut met poppy’s papercuts How did you first get into paper craft?

I experimented with papercutting in my last year of Uni. I was desperate to get better and after a few trips to A&E I eventually got the hang of my scalpel.

To those who might not know, how would you describe paper craft?

I see papercraft like little sculptures, or 3D drawings.

They’re so delicate when you hold them up to the light.

Almost like lace.

Have you always been creative? What are you earliest memories of making/creating?

I was a very naughty child and creativity was my outlet. I used to draw all over the walls and spend hours writing comics and inventing characters.

Who (or what) are your greatest inspirations?

I’m always inspired by my friends around me, who create such wonderful work. Lakwena is an amazing artist who always brings me so much joy. My friends Rosy Nicholas and Lizzie Kingdom are such creative souls and especially handy with a craft knife.

What drew you to do this collaboration with us?

I’ve been going to Paperchase my whole life, so this was a dream project for me. As a stationery obsessive, this kind of project allows you to get involved

with all the little details. I’m over the moon with how it’s all come to life.

As a creative, particularly a female creative, do you feel there are any barriers or challenges to being in this space?

The main challenges I’ve had as a creative is knowing my worth and saying no to unpaid projects. It’s important to remember that you have trained to do this.

Just because it’s enjoyable for so many of us, doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be valued and respected.

How would you advise someone who is just bursting to be creative, but hasn’t found their thing or the confidence to really go for it?

I would say carve out time to do what you really enjoy. It might be a life drawing class, collage workshop or pottery course. I know that when our creative side is allowed to explore, we develop in many ways. Let yourself be bad at something for once, you might just enjoy it.

What methods went in to creating this collection?

I sketched all the designs first, working out what words or phrases held meaning for me. I then hand-cut each piece to create a one-off paper artwork. Seeing these adorn the collection is an amazing full circle moment. I keep thinking ‘I remember drawing that!’

What inspired this collection?

My friendships have always been really important to me. That mutual love and adoration you have for those who have held you up in the dark times. Also, the love and support of my family. I wanted to channel that incredible feeling you have when someone who loves you is cheering you on.

Do you have a process for coming up with your designs?

I start by making lots of pencil drawings, very rough and dynamic. Once I find a layout that I like, I get ready to make the papercut. I’ll make sure my scalpel is super sharp and then sit down for a couple of hours, cutting away until it’s finished!

MARCH 2022 Papercut, The Colleague Magazine 35

Thank you to everyone who collaborated on this edition.

Special mentions go to: Katie Turner, Warrington Supervisor Chelsey Hulbert, Manchester Arndale Supervisor Sophie Frankis, Bluewater Sales Assistant Ellie Stewart, Digital Trading Assistant Emma Cunningham, Junior Copywriter Katherine Davis, Chief Retail and People Officer Chris Stredder, Catherine Kay, Dean Corneby and Lynsay O’Neill, Area Managers This one’s for all those female-identifying colleagues and neurodivergent Paperchasers out there.

Happy International Women’s Day / Neurodiversity Celebration Week x

Elizabeth Borrie, Retail Communications Coordinator