Some goodbyes are harder than others, and this is undoubtedly one of them. As I prepare to leave Severn Trent to begin a new chapter in my career at the Ministry of Justice, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has meant far more to me than just having a job. It has been a journey of growth, resilience, friendship, laughter, and some unforgettable memories that I will carry with me for years to come.
Severn Trent will always have a special place in my heart.
THREE DAYS AFTER ARRIVING IN THE UK… SEVERN TRENT OPENED ITS DOORS TO ME
My journey with Severn Trent began just three days after I arrived in the UK from Cyprus. Imagine arriving in a new country and, before you have even had enough time to properly settle in, you have already secured a job!
Through Morson Edge agency, Severn Trent gave me an opportunity to gain UK work experience on an initial three-month contract as a Customer Advisor in the Billing Department. At the time, I could not have fully appreciated just how important that opportunity would become to my journey in this country.
When that contract ended, I left and moved on with life. Three months later, however, I returned to Severn Trent, again through Morson Edge, on an eight-month contract, this time joining the Customer Leak Department as a Customer Leak Support Advisor.
And here I am today, preparing to say goodbye to an organisation that has played a significant role in my professional development.
From the Billing Department to Customer Leak Support, I have learned so much. My communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and customer service skills have grown tremendously. I have learned how to handle difficult conversations, support customers through challenging situations, work with different personalities, and remain professional even when things do not go according to plan.
Of course, not everything has gone according to plan in my career at Severn Trent.
I applied for permanent positions within the organisation and attended THREE interviews, hoping to secure a permanent role. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful on all three occasions.
Was it disappointing? Absolutely.
Did I give up? No.
Did I eventually secure another opportunity elsewhere? Yes!
Sometimes, life closes one door not because you lack the ability to walk through it, but because another opportunity is waiting for you. I am grateful for the lessons, the experience, and the people who made this journey worthwhile. And although I did not secure a permanent position at Severn Trent, I am leaving with something no interview outcome can take away: the knowledge, friendships, and memories I have gained along the way.
TOM AND SHAUN: THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Tom and Shaun, who interviewed candidates for the Customer Leak Support position and gave me the opportunity to join the team.
Thank you for believing in me and offering me the role. You may have seen a candidate who could do the job, but the opportunity you gave me became another important stepping stone in my journey in the UK.
I genuinely appreciate the opportunity, and I will always be grateful that you were part of this chapter of my life.
JAN, MY TEAM LEADER: YOU HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL!
If there is one person I must make a special effort to celebrate, it is my team leader, Janet, affectionately known as Jan.
Jan, thank you for being the kind of team leader anyone would be lucky to have. Your support, patience, understanding, encouragement, and people-management skills are second to none.
But beyond your professional responsibilities, I want to thank you for something far more personal.
During one of the most difficult periods of my life, when my mum underwent surgery to have her womb removed because of cancer, you showed me kindness and understanding that went beyond what anyone could reasonably expect from a team leader.
At a time when I was carrying worries that went far beyond the office, your words of encouragement and the support you gave me meant more than I can adequately express. Sometimes, people do not realise how much a simple conversation, a kind word, or a little understanding can help someone who is struggling. I will never forget the support you showed me during that period.
You were not just managing an employee; you were showing compassion to a human being going through a difficult time.
Jan, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate you.
Your leadership has made a lasting impression on me, and I will genuinely miss working with you. Severn Trent is fortunate to have you, and I hope you continue to inspire, encourage, and support others as you have supported me.
LIAM: THANK YOU FOR LEADING WITH INNOVATION
To Liam, thank you for your leadership and for consistently looking for ways to improve efficiency and make things work better.
I have appreciated your innovative approach, your willingness to listen to different opinions, and the fact that you remain open to contributions from everyone. Good leadership is not simply about having the final say; it is also about being willing to listen, consider new ideas, and create an environment where people feel their voices matter.
Thank you for helping create that kind of environment. I wish you and the entire team continued success.
MELISSA AND ELOISE: MY TRAINING WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT YOU!
A big thank you to Melissa and Eloise, who helped train me when I joined the Customer Leak Department.
Melissa, you spent over a month training me, patiently helping me understand the job and find my feet. I appreciate the time, effort, and knowledge you invested in me.
But beyond the training, there is one thing I will particularly miss: your angelic laughter!
Some people have a laugh that makes you smile even when you are not part of the conversation. Melissa, yours is one of those laughs. Please keep laughing because I will be missing one of its lovely sounds when I leave!
Eloise, although you trained me for a week or two, you certainly made an impression.
I will also miss your enthusiastic use of the word “bitches” in the office. Somehow, that word has become part of the memories I associate with you, and I suspect I will hear it in my head long after I have left!
And, of course, I cannot forget that incredible cake. Thank you for allowing me to experience one of the best cakes I have ever tasted. I do not know whether your greatest talent is training people or making cakes, but I think we can all agree that you are doing exceptionally well in at least one of those departments!
Thank you both for the training, the laughter, and the memories.
JACK: THE MAN WITH THE ANSWERS!
Jack, I cannot thank you enough for the support you have given me.
Your in-depth knowledge of the job and your willingness to help have been invaluable. Whenever a customer requested a callback and Jan was unavailable, I knew exactly where to run.
Jack was my emergency contact before I even knew what an emergency contact was!
Whenever I needed clarification, guidance, or assistance with a difficult situation, you were always someone I could approach. You helped me navigate situations that might otherwise have been challenging, and I genuinely appreciate every bit of support you gave me.
Thank you for being approachable, knowledgeable, and generous with your time. Your contribution to my experience at Severn Trent has not gone unnoticed, and I wish you all the very best.
ANNIE AND RHIANNON: TWO PEOPLE I WILL TRULY MISS
Annie and Rhiannon, where do I even begin? You are two people whose kindness, friendliness, and willingness to help have made my time at Severn Trent even more enjoyable.
Annie, you are genuinely one of the friendliest people I have ever met. Whenever I needed help, you were always willing to assist. And if you could not provide the answer yourself, you would practically suspend whatever you were doing to find someone who could help me. That level of kindness and willingness to go out of your way for someone is something I will never take for granted.
But Annie, beyond all the professional support, I must confess that you have introduced me to an entirely new world of British snacks and chocolates that I never even knew existed! Somehow, you have managed to turn me into someone who now appreciates treats I would probably have walked past without a second glance. The funny thing is that I have loved every single one of them!
And as if that was not enough, you also introduced me to British tea! I remember you asking whether I would like mine with or without sugar. Of course, I had to make my preference clear: TWO SPOONS OF SUGAR, PLEASE! Your combination of Yorkshire Tea, milk, and sugar has officially converted me.
Rhiannon, you also deserve special recognition for introducing me to another British delight: hot chocolate topped with marshmallows! Your combination of Cadbury hot chocolate, milk, and marshmallows was absolutely delicious. And as if making me one of the loveliest cups was not enough, you went a step further by gifting me the remaining Cadbury hot chocolate powder to take home. That was such a thoughtful gesture, and I genuinely appreciate it.
Now, look at what the two of you have done! Annie has introduced me to wonderful snacks, chocolates, and Yorkshire Tea, while Rhiannon has made me fall in love with homemade Cadbury hot chocolate.
The only problem is that I discovered all these wonderful things during my LAST WEEK at Severn Trent!
Honestly, where have you both been all this time? I spent months working with you, and it took my final week to discover that I had been missing out on some of life’s simple pleasures. Had I known earlier, I might have reconsidered leaving, or at least negotiated a longer notice period to enjoy a few more of Annie’s snack recommendations and Rhiannon’s special hot chocolate!
On a more serious note, Rhiannon, I also want to appreciate how incredibly supportive you have been. Just like Annie, you are always willing to put aside whatever you are doing to help me whenever I need assistance. That willingness to help, your kindness, and your genuine personality have not gone unnoticed.
Annie, thank you for your friendship, your infectious friendliness, your willingness to help, the lovely treats you introduced me to, and for converting me into a Yorkshire Tea lover.
Rhiannon, thank you for being so genuine, for always being ready to help, for the delicious hot chocolate, and for the thoughtful Cadbury gift. I will certainly remember that gesture.
You have both taught me that sometimes the best things about working somewhere are not just the skills you acquire or the experience you gain, but also the little things people do that make you feel welcome and appreciated.
I will miss you both dearly. Please keep the tea, snacks, and hot chocolate traditions alive. Whenever you enjoy them, spare a thought for the Nigerian gentleman who discovered these simple pleasures just before leaving!
One thing is certain: I may be leaving Severn Trent, but my newfound appreciation for British snacks and drinks is definitely not going anywhere!
CHLOE: FROM TRAINING PARTNERS TO COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS
Chloe, we started this journey together. We went through training together, sat together, learned together, and helped each other figure things out along the way.
There is something special about starting a new role alongside someone who is going through the same experience. You both have questions, you both make discoveries, and you both learn from your mistakes. Having someone beside you makes the journey less intimidating.
I am glad we had that experience together.
Chloe, you are a very smart young lady, you have so much potential and so many opportunities ahead of you. I sincerely wish you all the good things life has to offer. May your hard work open doors for you, may you achieve your ambitions, and may you continue to grow into the amazing person you are becoming.
And then there is Frank.
For those who may not know, Frank is Chloe’s cat, whom I have somehow managed to know almost entirely through photographs and videos shown to me at work!
I have seen so many pictures and videos of this cat that I feel as though we have a relationship, even though we have never officially met. Frank, I think it is only fair to say that you have been a colleague in spirit!
Chloe, I will miss our conversations, our shared experiences, and the way we helped each other along the way. Thank you for being part of this journey. Keep shining, and please give Frank my regards. Tell him I am disappointed that we never got to meet properly!
MICHAEL: 67 WILL NEVER SOUND THE SAME AGAIN!
Michael, I cannot leave without mentioning you and your jokes, sarcasm, and, of course, your legendary habit of shouting “67!” while everyone else is trying to work.
I honestly do not know how you manage to interrupt people’s concentration with such confidence, but you have certainly made it an unforgettable part of the office experience!
Some people leave behind their achievements. Others leave behind a legacy. Michael, you are leaving behind a number that may haunt this department for years to come!
One day, someone will be quietly working, and another person will suddenly shout “67!” Everyone will laugh, and someone will probably say, “Michael would be proud.”
Thank you for the jokes, the sarcasm, and the moments of laughter that made the working day more entertaining. The office will be quieter without you? No, without me? Actually, I suspect the office will still be loud, thanks to you!
AND FINALLY… THE FART THAT BECAME PART OF SEVERN TRENT HISTORY!
Now, I cannot write a proper farewell without addressing an incident that deserves a permanent place in the history of the Customer Leak Department.
It was an ordinary workday. SAP was open, calls were being handled, keyboards were tapping away, and everyone was busy doing their jobs. Then lunchtime came and went, and I returned to my desk after enjoying what I can only describe as a satisfying lunch.
Unfortunately, that meal had other plans for the afternoon.
Without warning, a loud and unmistakable sound broke the office silence.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about a fart. Not a quiet one. Not a discreet one. Not one that could be blamed on a squeaky chair.
This fart arrived at work with confidence, announced its presence, and demanded recognition!
Two colleagues slowly turned towards me. Our eyes met. Nobody needed to ask any questions because the evidence was overwhelming.
And then, all hell broke loose.
The office erupted in laughter. What followed was a level of uncontrollable amusement that made it difficult for anyone to concentrate. And just when I thought the incident might remain between the few people who witnessed it, someone decided that the entire department deserved to know what had happened.
Anyone who had stepped away from their desk was informed that they had missed something extraordinary.
“You missed it!” they were told.
By the time everyone had returned, the story had become an office event. All it took was eye contact for the laughter to start all over again.
I came to work that day expecting to handle customer leak sectioning. I did not expect to create a moment that would leak into the department’s history!
And now, as I prepare to leave Severn Trent, I have come to realise that perhaps this is the kind of legacy I am leaving behind.
Three interviews did not secure me a permanent role, but one fart may have secured me permanent membership in the department’s collection of unforgettable memories!
To be fair, I cannot take all the credit. The lunch deserves an honourable mention, and whoever made sure the story reached every corner of the office deserves a promotion in the Department of Office Entertainment.
But jokes aside, what made that moment special was not the embarrassment. It was the laughter we shared, the way a completely unexpected incident brought people together, and the fact that even an ordinary afternoon could become a memory we would laugh about long afterwards.
So, if anyone ever asks what I contributed to Severn Trent beyond customer support, interpersonal skills, and hard work, please tell them that I also contributed to staff morale.
Quite literally, I released something into the workplace atmosphere!
I apologise to anyone whose concentration I disrupted, and I hope that whenever the story is retold, it brings another round of laughter. If nothing else, I have proved that sometimes the most memorable moments at work are the ones nobody could have planned.
TO EVERYONE I HAVE NOT MENTIONED BY NAME: THANK YOU
I know I cannot mention everyone individually, and I would not want anyone to feel that their contribution to my journey has been overlooked.
To every colleague who answered my questions, helped me with a difficult job, shared a joke, checked on me, encouraged me, offered advice, shared food, or simply made the office a pleasant place to work, thank you.
Sometimes, the smallest gestures leave the biggest impressions. A quick explanation when I was stuck, a friendly greeting in the morning, a laugh during a busy afternoon, or a willingness to help when I needed it all contributed to making my time at Severn Trent special.
I have learned something from many of you, whether professionally or personally. I appreciate the kindness, patience, support, and friendship you have shown me.
You may not all be mentioned by name, but please know that I am grateful for you.
A NEW CHAPTER: THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
As I move on to my new role at the Ministry of Justice, I do so with excitement, gratitude, and a little sadness.
I am excited about what lies ahead, the opportunity to learn new things, and the chance to continue developing my career. At the same time, leaving behind people who have become part of my daily routine is never easy.
There are people you work with simply because you share a workplace, and then there are people who leave a lasting impression on your life. At Severn Trent, I have been fortunate enough to meet both colleagues and genuinely wonderful human beings.
I arrived in the UK from Cyprus and, just three days later, Severn Trent gave me an opportunity. I returned after my first contract ended, grew professionally, built relationships, faced disappointments, learned important lessons, and made memories that will stay with me.
That is a journey I will always appreciate.
Although I am leaving the organisation, I hope the connections we have made will continue. This is not a goodbye to the people who have made this experience special; it is simply the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
I wish Severn Trent continued success, and I hope every one of you continues to grow, achieve your ambitions, and find happiness in whatever you do.
To Jan, Liam, Tom, Shaun, Melissa, Eloise, Jack, Annie, Rhiannon, Chloe, Michael, and everyone else who has been part of this journey, thank you for being part of my story.
Thank you for the opportunities, the lessons, the patience, the support, the friendships, the laughter, the snacks, the cake, the tea, the hot chocolate, the sarcasm, the legendary “67,” and, of course, the fart that will probably outlive my employment at Severn Trent!
If I have ever offended anyone unintentionally, please accept my apologies. If I have made you laugh, thank you for laughing with me. If you have helped me, please know that I genuinely appreciate it.
I came to Severn Trent as someone looking for an opportunity to gain UK work experience. I am leaving as someone who has grown, learned, and met people who have made a meaningful difference in my life.
Severn Trent, thank you for giving me a chance when I was just beginning my journey in the UK.
You will always have a special place in my heart.
And to my colleagues, please do not forget me too quickly. If you do, just remember three things: the snacks, tea and chocolate Annie and Rhiannon introduced me to, Michael’s “67,” and that afternoon when my lunch decided to make a public announcement!
I wish you all happiness, good health, success, and every good thing life has to offer.
With a grateful heart, a big smile, and one final apology to the office atmosphere…
THANK YOU, SEVERN TRENT. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE.
Until we meet again!