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After 20 years working in the office of an MOT station in London, 63-year-old Julie Davenport decided she needed a change.
Julie and her partner, Mark, had recently moved from the capital to Allhallows, a little village on Kent’s North Coast, and she soon became tired of the commute to London. After regularly working 45-50-hour weeks, she was also keen for a more flexible role with a better work-life balance.
So, one day in April 2021, Julie visited Haven’s Kent Coast Holiday Park, just moments from her house, to see what opportunities were available. Here, she met Kelly, who worked in the food and beverage department.
“I said, ‘This is my situation. I’d like to venture out, do something that I enjoy and that I’m passionate about,’” Julie explains. “And Kelly said, ‘You sound perfect, would you like to work in the ice cream van?’” To this, Julie replied with an emphatic, “Yes!”
Julie has been a passionate member of the Haven team ever since, taking on various seasonal roles. We caught up with her to discuss what she loves about Haven and why it’s a great choice for later-life job seekers.
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“I always loved the Haven environment. But I never actually thought I’d work there and be a part of that Haven experience”
Julie’s daughter, Jo, and granddaughter, Harmonie, visiting her at the ice cream van
Even before moving to Allhallows, Julie was a big Haven fan. When her children were young, she would take them to Haven Holiday Parks around the country – from Devon to Great Yarmouth.
“I’m a Haven person,” Julie explains. “I’ve always wanted to be Rory the Tiger. I know all the dances. I always loved the Haven environment. But I never actually thought I’d work there and be a part of that Haven experience.”
Yet, fast-forward a few decades, and Julie found herself working in the ice cream van at Haven Kent Coast. After years cooped up in an office, she says interacting with customers was a breath of fresh air and suited her personality to a tee. “I’m a people person. I love talking to all the holidaymakers,” she explains.
Even better, the role was part-time and seasonal (the ice cream van only operates in the warmer months). This meant Julie could continue looking after her grandchildren, Maxwell and Harmonie, while her daughters were at work, leaving her plenty of time to get stuck into her hobbies.
She says, “I joined the litter-picking group in the village. So we do quite a lot of walking. We do the beaches, we do the streets, and there’s quite a lot of banter between us. I’ve also got a motorbike. I love going out on rides with my partner.”
“I had such a good time. Everybody knew me. The holidaymakers from the year before would go, ‘Ah! It’s Julie!’”
Julie at the Fun Shop with granddaughter Harmonie
Before long, Julie became a staple part of the team at Kent Coast Haven. She says, “During that time, we had what’s called ‘HavenFest’, which is the Haven owners’ yearly celebration. I was asked to be the conductor on the train that took them from where they were staying to the big marina tent. That was amazing – I was so proud to be asked.”
Julie was so valued at Kent Coast Haven that they asked her to continue working in the ‘Fun Shop’ after the ice cream van closed for the summer.
“The Fun Shop is in the area where all the holidaymakers go dancing and where all the characters come out,” she explains. “We’ve got all the toys, bubbles, sparkly things – everything that kids could want – and we also sold the bingo tickets.”
Julie enjoyed her time in the Fun Shop so much that, the following year, she transferred there from the ice cream van – a switch that Haven was happy to accommodate.
She says, “I had such a good time. Everybody knew me. The holidaymakers from the year before would go, ‘Ah! It’s Julie!’ I got on the stage and danced with the characters. I was blowing bubbles at the children. It was brilliant.”
“Haven were my saviours [...] Even through losing my dad, they were always there”
Sadly, while Julie was working at the Fun Shop, her father became ill and would later pass away. She initially thought she’d have to give up her job to look after him, but Haven supported her throughout, allowing her to work reduced hours.
“Haven were my saviours,” Julie says. “Even through losing my dad, they were always there.”
Soon after her dad’s passing, Julie wanted a change and began working as an early-morning cleaner, still at Haven Kent Coast. But she soon missed interacting with the holidaymakers and switched to the evening shift. “That’s where I am now,” she says. “I love it.”
One of the things Julie enjoys about working for Haven is the flexibility. Not only do Haven give employees the opportunity to move between roles, but they also offer hours that fit around their lives.
Julie explains, “I’ve only got a 10-hour contract because I’ve got a lot going on – grandchildren and everything else. I didn’t want to feel like, ‘Oh my God, I need to fill my hours in.’ This way, I don’t let people down and I can help them if they need a fill-in. I still do a lot more than 10 hours because it’s my choice.
“Some people have 30-hour contracts. It’s all about what hours you want,” Julie continues. “A lot of mums who clean the caravans drop their children off at school and leave work at three to go and pick them up again. And there’s no issue if you need a shift off – you can work it out.”
“There's no stress. I don't go home thinking, ‘I've got to do this tomorrow’”
However, the work-life balance Haven offers is about more than just choosing hours that suit your lifestyle. In her previous job at the MOT station, Julie says she would often find it tricky to switch off after work. But that’s not the case at Haven.
“There’s no stress,” she explains. I don’t go home thinking, ‘I’ve got to do this tomorrow. I’ve got to do that tomorrow.’”
Julie is also keen to highlight the benefits available to Haven employees – including 50% off food at the on-site restaurants and 20% off Haven holidays. She even took her grandson to Haven’s holiday park in Hastings. “It was brilliant,” she tells us.
Julie and her partner, Mark, at a motorcycle meet
“They wanted me, and that’s what made it special”
Julie and her family on stage with Haven’s characters: the Seaside Squad
Julie is keen to recommend Haven to any later-life job seekers. Haven provide plenty of progression opportunities, and you don’t need any qualifications to apply for many of their roles.
For example, when she first enquired about a job, Julie says Haven were there with open arms. “There was no: ‘Let’s see your education.’ There was nothing like that. They wanted me, and that’s what made it special.”
Haven roles are particularly suited to older adults, Julie says, because they give you a chance to use your life experience and all the skills you’ve learned along the way. “I talk to the children while mum’s doing bingo,” she explains. “I’ll sit there playing little games with them. I’ll help mums when they need to do nappy changes or when somebody’s not well.
“Most of us need to work. But, at Haven, you get something back from it. You get something back that you might have missed out on: the chance to actually enjoy work.”
If you’re inspired by Julie’s story, head over to Haven’s age-diverse employer page on our website to find out more. They have 39 coastal parks all over the UK offering a range of seasonal roles. Or, check out what positions are available using the button below.
Are you interested in seasonal work? Or have you already made the switch? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.