Nikki Pullen - Finding Your Place in Something Bigger

"I wanted to connect with others who are involved in the fight against climate change. It's so important to be in touch with others for support when you're finding things difficult; not only does it motivate you to keep going or to think of ideas in a different way but it also means you can be a part of something bigger than yourself."

Nikki Pullen is based in South Wales and works in the non-profit sector for Llamau as a Refuge Support Assistant. In her own time, she shares online communications content regarding climate change, women's issues and self-empowerment. She participated in the Climate Bridges Be One Mentorship Program as a mentee. Her experience highlights something that is at the heart of our mission at Climate Bridges—that meaningful change happens when we connect with others who share a passion and commitment for climate action.

From Isolation to Connection

Nikki joined Climate Bridges during a challenging period when she was searching for work in her field. "I had been searching for a job for a while before I joined and I think it's so important to be in touch with others for support when you're finding things difficult."

The timing proved transformational: "During the programme, I managed to find a job which is not only in the field I was looking in, but is also something I'm truly enjoying. I believe the mentorship programme helped to support my self development and reminds us how many people do care about the impact of climate change and the issues facing us."

What made her mentorship relationship feel truly special was the personalised approach: "I was given the time to think and talk about the things that really mattered to me. We took the sessions at my own pace and the support and ideas were discussed around my needs, skills and what I wanted to work towards. I felt that I could talk with my mentor openly, without judgment and that there was a genuine feeling of good will between us."

The Breakthrough

Nikki experienced a pivotal breakthrough toward the end of her mentorship journey: "I felt that towards the end of the mentorship sessions, everything we had been discussing clicked into place and I realised how I wanted to take things forward in my professional life. By discussing problems and goals, we were able to come up with some practical ideas that were realistic in the context of my life."

The qualities that created the biggest impact were deeply personal: "I was really inspired by my mentor, because she was so passionate about the impact of climate change and so kind and supportive to me. I would come away from sessions feeling motivated and reminded of why I was going through the hurdles, particularly when things felt hard. I admired her pro-active nature but also appreciated her empathy and the time she spent listening to me."

Understanding Both Sides of Mentorship

Having previously been a charity mentor with Charity Fast Track, Nikki brought unique perspective to her mentee experience: "Being on the other side of this experience as a mentee however, I can also see first hand how there is value in both sides. To be supported by a mentor has allowed me to recognise and use my skills to help others and work on my self esteem and performance. To be a mentor encouraged me to gain a sense of fulfilment and work on my communication skills with others. There are benefits to this type of working relationship, not only for the two people involved but also for wider society."

Recommended Resources

For comprehensive climate understanding, Nikki recommends "The Climate Book" by Greta Thunberg: "It contains insight from over 100 scientists because it provides you with a comprehensive guide to the climate crisis and how we can combat it."

For personal development, she suggests listening to podcasts by Teal Swan, who "discusses various topics around self development and spiritual growth in relation to wider issues in society," and Anna Runkle (The Crappy Childhood Fairy), who "teaches people how to recognise symptoms of early trauma and how to heal and helps us notice the signs of abuse and neglect in relationships."

Her Message to Future Participants

Her message to potential participants is both encouraging and practical: "I would really encourage others to join the programme (as a mentor, mentee or both) particularly if you're interested in the climate crisis and want to find a way to get involved and be a part of a network of people working together to make a positive difference. Sometimes it can feel so isolating, physically and emotionally when you're spending time thinking about the issues facing us but being a part of Climate Bridges can be the first step to discovering how we all have something to offer."

Finding Your Place in Something Bigger

Thank you, Nikki, for showing how mentorship transforms isolation into connection and helps us discover our unique contribution to the climate movement.

Ready to find your place in something bigger? Nikki's story demonstrates that Climate Bridges mentorship provides the support and connection needed to turn climate passion into meaningful action. Join the Climate Bridges Be One Mentorship Program and discover how you can make a positive difference.