Career Progression Stories: Kim Pengilly

20th February 2024

At 1625, we are passionately dedicated to fostering the growth and development of our colleagues, empowering them to excel in their careers. Explore Kim Pengilly’s (People Advisor) journey in our latest instalment of ‘Career Progression Stories.’

“I joined 1625 Independent People in August 2021, stepping into a role that was entirely new to me but the first step on the career path I wanted to pursue. My manager took a chance on me, recognising my transferable skills, which I’m really grateful for. As People Support Officer, one of my responsibilities was recruitment, which entailed working closely with new starters.

I loved being involved in people’s initial moments at 1625 and creating a positive experience for them.

In September 2022, I successfully applied for a more senior position in the team, which had become available due to maternity leave, and in February 2023 I started my new role as People Advisor.

I was thrilled to have another opportunity to develop my skills, advancing along a career path that I both enjoy and aligns with my values. Having now been made permanent in this position, I can continue working for an organisation that I admire.

These opportunities have boosted my confidence and allowed me to work for an organisation that cares for its colleagues, providing me the space to make a difference and be surrounded by supportive colleagues. Throughout my journey at 1625, my manager has been incredibly encouraging, coaching me every step of the way.”

Join Our Team!

Has this story inspired you to join 1625? Explore our jobs and volunteering opportunities here.

 

In other news...
  • 1st June 2026

    Reflections from our Queer Peer Support Group  At 1625 Independent People, our monthly Queer Peer Support sessions create space for LGBTQ+ young people to come together, connect, and simply be themselves.  Sometimes that looks like deep conversations about identity and belonging. Sometimes it’s painting nails, chatting about films, laughing about internet trends, or sharing frustrations […]
  • 11th May 2026

    At 20 years old, Kay McMichael has already experienced more challenges than many people face in a lifetime. From growing up around addiction and spending time in care, to navigating years of being misunderstood by mental health services, Kay’s journey has been shaped by resilience, survival, and determination to keep going, even during the hardest moments.  […]
  • 13th April 2026

    What does it really mean to partner with a charity?  For the organisations we work with at 1625 Independent People, it goes far beyond fundraising. It’s about shared purpose, real human connection, and creating lasting change for young people facing homelessness.  Through our Stronger Together campaign, we spoke to five of our incredible corporate partners to understand what these partnerships look like in practice, and why they […]
  • 16th March 2026

    For Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we asked young people connected to 1625 Independent People to share what being neurodivergent means to them.  Neurodiversity recognises that people experience and interact with the world in different ways. For many young people, it can shape how they learn, communicate, manage everyday tasks, and understand themselves.  Through their reflections, young people […]