I’m Kecia Harris and I’ve just started as the Project Coordinator on the Britannia team. I’m going to be taking on some of Vicki’s work, organising things behind the scenes and making sure we collect the information that the funders need to stay happy.
I recently returned to Exeter after a twenty-year absence, as it’s always been my favourite place to live. I’m from South Wales originally, but I studied in California where I worked as a geologist doing groundwater exploration, before running expeditions in a 16-ton truck across Africa and Asia for a few years.
I moved on to project co-ordination at the aid agency, Medecins Sans Frontieres, in the Congo, Burundi, and Nicaragua.
I then returned to the UK and ran an accommodation and advice service for refugees in Devon with Refugee Action, before moving to France for a couple of years with two tiny children.
When I returned to England I spent 17 years in Suffolk working a job share role at Parkinson’s UK. I qualified as a physics teacher in my spare time and taught at a pupil referral unit in Ipswich in those years.
Back in Exeter since May, I spotted the Britannia project co-ordinator role on social media and as I have sailed several times on tall ships I was immediately taken with the idea of being part of this project. I have only just started, but the team down at the Quay are a good bunch of people and I’m already enjoying being down there at the start of the day.
I’m looking forward to taking on some of the organisation, ensuring we’ve got what we need for the funders, organising events, and generally helping to make things happen so that Vicki doesn’t have to do so many hours in a week.
Today was my third morning down at the Quay. I plan to meet up with volunteers at 10am a couple of times a week, to get to know what’s being worked on, share information and stories, and become a part of the team.
I’ve been chatting to Paul while he gets the tea ready then sets to work, watching Phil fitting the hatch with new planking, looking at Abi’s paintings and the woodwork she and Benji are doing on the bunks, swapping sailing stories with Cherry while she cuts wood, listening to Lou’s stories of his new wee daughter, and getting Jordan’s recommendations about Exeter’s best burgers. There’s always lots to talk about on tea break.
I’ve started what will no doubt be a long handover from Vicki as she does so much, and I’ve met up with Richard and Sam. It’s fun – then I disappear off home to work online on the data collection, planning, research and phone calls.
Coming up is the Sea Shanty festival at Exeter Harbour on 12 September, and a week or so later, the Southampton Boat show, then in October a fundraising auction, so there’s lots to be getting on with. It’s a great bunch of people and, of course, a beautiful ship. I’m happy to be here!
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