Currently...

In May 2010 I set up the graduate volunteer organisation http://www.slvolunteers.com. Since launching in 2010, I have received just over 250 graduates to teach English and work at various projects around south-west Sri Lanka.

Whilst in Sri Lanka I manage the volunteers team, work with the management of the 12 projects that SL Volunteers work at and set up training workshops for our volunteers with different local charities, NGOs and social workers. But with our volunteers taking on leadership roles and helping me with the running of the organisation, I am lucky in that I get to have free time to chill on the beach.

Before I escaped...

After graduating from university, I worked for two years as the Personal Assistant for various bosses. Though I learnt a great deal working so closely with Managing Directors, I did gradually became disenchanted with the world of administration and coffee fetching.

Also, having a job in which I was given a 'clothes allowance' that was only allowed to be spent in Debenhams on pencil skirts and court shoes, was simply not my dream. 

My moment of truth...

It took so long to feel real; even after the first volunteers arrived I did not step back and realise that it was all happening. But I do remember leaving an orientation meeting with 24 volunteers in July and stepping past a cow on the side of the road to get in a tuk-tuk and I realised that it felt normal and I thought, "Wow is this my life now? Brilliant".

Planning for it...

I gave in my notice at work and within a month I was on a plane to Sri Lanka. I had previously set up a basic website and a Facebook group which began getting people interested in becoming part of the team. I also was given some free basic business training through an EU training scheme.

With regards to funding, I needed money for my flight and living expenses when I was there, but I was put up by a Sri Lankan social worker and lived as locally as possible to keep my costs down, and with a big rice and curry lunch costing less than pound, it wasn't that hard.

The worst and best bits...

I love what I am doing and really enjoy seeing how the organisation is developing but of course it has downsides. The greatest negative is how much time I seem to spend alone on my computer, and as a way to keep costs low for volunteers, SL Volunteers do not pay for promotion, and sometimes I struggle to get word out.

Along with witnessing the great work volunteers are doing, working in the beautiful island of Sri Lanka is incredible. I love the hot sun and even hotter curries, and though my Sri Lankan team and I have cultural differences that take time to learn and understand, they have been so welcoming and endlessly generous. 

Best advice...

If I was to advise someone doing a similar thing it would be to listen to people; never expect that as a westerner we know best. I try to always take time to listen to peoples' advice and especially the local NGO and charity workers that have taught me how to work effectively and sensitively with regards to the social and cultural context.

Also the feedback and ideas from volunteers have been invaluable and with each team, SL Volunteers' ethos and projects continue to develop and improve.

Useful resources and information...

• With starting a business, follow the advice from www.businesslink.gov.uk