Sarah Jones (2011)

I grew up in Northern Ireland, where I spent most of my teenage years acting and writing fiction. I went on to study English Lit at Merton and was one of the first in my family to go to university. While at Merton I was a student caller in the telethons, which led me to seek a job in fundraising. I started as Development Assistant at Oriel College, then Development Officer at Merton, and Development Manager at LMH. I moved into the mainstream charity sector two years ago, managing the individual giving and legacies programme for a local charity called Homeless Oxfordshire. I am about to start a new role as Senior Fundraising Manager at Oxfordshire Hospitals Charity, managing their Individual Giving, Events, and Legacies teams.

Outside of work, I co-run a group called the Oxford Writing Circle. We run weekly feedback sessions and prompt nights for local creative writers and poets. I completed an MA in Creative Writing at Oxford Brookes in 2021, and I've had several short stories published over the years.  

I am always happy to speak with anyone considering a career in the charity sector or looking to work with local community groups and volunteers. My career has been incredibly rewarding, but I also find great fulfilment in life outside of work. It took me most of my twenties to find this balance, and I'd be happy to pass what I have learned on to someone else.