Michael

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hey, my name is Mike and I'm from Manchester in the UK. I've always loved traveling and experiencing other cultures, but as I turned 30, I've decided to go one step further and secure my first working holiday visa and I'm heading to Japan in April 2025 (for at least 6 months).

I believe the most important thing in this life is to make meaningful connections with people, which is why I've turned to Workaway as a way of meeting people from all walks of life, helping out in any way that I can and hopefully make some life-long friendships along the way!

Things that make me happy: Cinema, Music, Video/Board Games, Animals, History, Food, Fashion and learning new skills.

Interests

Hiking

Events & social

Writing

Sustainability

Vegetarian or vegan

Nature

Music

Movies & TV

History

Culture

Charity work

Cooking & food

Animals

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I'd be looking for someone to help me further my Japanese with speaking practice. I can return the favour with English.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Art Projects

Languages

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Hospitality/Tourism

Babysitting and creative play

Life at a Farmstay

DIY and building projects

Being an elderly companion

Eco Projects

Creating/ Cooking family meals

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Some knowledge of:  

Charity Work

Animal Care

House sitting

General Maintenance

Helping around the house

Gardening

Teaching

More details about your skills

I'm trained in the Film & Media industries, with a Bachelors Degree in Media, Writing & Production. I still love to write screenplays and articles in my spare time, but for the past few years I have worked for the RSPCA animal charity in the UK as a manager of both a charity retail store and an animal rescue centre.

These positions helped me to develop experience in overseeing teams of both staff and volunteers. The multifaceted nature of my job has required me to pick up new skills quickly. I have become highly adaptable in any given situation, as no two items or animals I come across are ever the same. Both of these roles are physically demanding, so I'm no stranger to a hard days work.

One of my main strengths is my interpersonal skills.I have been told I possess a natural talent for mediation, both professionally and personally. I managed a large team of volunteers, some with learning difficulties or special/complex needs. Over the years in my current role, I've become comfortable with teaching various skills to others and delegating them specific tasks. A large part of my job is to serve and build a rapport with the general public, with my store being a social hub for local community outreach. I am proud to always strive for the store to be a safe space for everyone in the community.

I have lots of experience with cash handling and visual merchandising, along with administrative duties such as banking, stock management and performing risk assessments.

Managing the animal centre has given me a whole new set of skills in regards to animal care including: socialising newborns (mainly kittens), feeding at mealtimes, maintaining an exceptional level of hygiene/cleanliness in the animal pens, performing health checks, administering medication and processing the animals and their new prospective owners for rehoming.

Over the past several years I have also worked: in kitchens and bakeries, as an online transcriber, performed indoor and outdoor manual labour for a joinery firm and as a painter and decorator.

I have a full UK drivers licence with a valid international permit for 2025.

I have recently received my Level 2 certification in talk-therapy counselling skills, and I'm trained as both a physical and mental first-aid practitioner (and taught a seminar in the latter at my current workplace).

Age

32

What else ...

Love Japanese/Hong Kong cinema, Lovecraftian board games and FromSoftware video games. Also enjoy watching combat sports, mainly MMA.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Hayfever/Pollen

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  Special dietary requirements
  Vegetarian