Celebrating Vicky Teinaki

Vicky and I worked together at HMRC back in 2018 and 2019. From the second I met her as part of my welcome to Orangebus, I adored her. I was and always will be in awe of her energy, her lust for learning and how open and ready she was to teach and share her knowledge. At the end of 2018, I found out I was being taken off my project at the time and moved onto hers. I was so happy! 

I remember the man who sorted out who went where from Orangebus asking me for a word the day I found out I was moving.

We stood under the spiral stairs and he asked me how I was feeling about joining the project with Vicky. I said I was super excited to learn more from her. I wanted to learn more about prototyping and she'd offered to teach me. He then, after a painful hesitation, said to me 'Do you think you two will work well together?' I laughed! And then realised he was serious and said absolutely. Why wouldnt we?

He said to me 'Well it's just that you're both so....erm...outspoken. Sometimes that doesnt work.' Oh how I laughed. 🤣 I suggested that he meant direct and passionate and we left it at that. 

What followed was still the best 6 months of my 7 year career so far. And I'm not sure anything will ever top it. Vicky took me under her wing, but still somehow, while teaching me all I'd asked to learn, made me feel like I was good at my job and backed my decisions, challenged me where she disagreed, and encouraging me to do the same.  She helped me push for a promotion, and for more money when I found out that people with no experience were coming in with more pay than me. When she said she was leaving I was devastated. But happy for her as she wanted more of a challenge. 

She gave me a card, hand drawn of course, and she'd written Stay Weird on the front in lovely bright lettering. Inside was a heartwarming message. 

We thankfully kept in touch after she went to DWP and met up regularly for brunch. I've eaten half the eggs benedict in the north east with her. We went to events, wine tasting, and to see films occasionally too. 

I'm so thankful for that day the decision was made to move me to her team. It led to a friendship I'll cherish for the rest of my days.