Real lives
Hampshire home

01 February 2013

The Leckford Estate is one of the Partnership's five residential holiday clubs, where Partners – and their friends and family – can stay at a subsidised rate. Michael Holdich, the manager, explains why the clubs have a unique place in our business.

  • A charitable mission
    A charitable mission 10 May 2013Helen Cahill swapped her job at John Lewis Cardiff for a charitable role sharing knowledge with local communities in Sudan.
  • Career change
    Career change 05 April 2013Caroline Dawson has gone from Branch Manager to communications expert - all within the Partnership.
  • Fresh perspective
    Fresh perspective 22 March 2013Fresh Produce Advisor Keenan Washbourne meets local vegetable suppliers as part of his training.
  • In for a penny
    In for a penny 15 February 2013Mark Penny decided to spread his fundraising activities over a whole year.
  • An appetite for work
    An appetite for work 08 February 2013Waitrose Branch Cook Corrine Ward provides sustenance to the workforce.
  • Hampshire home
    Hampshire home 01 February 2013Michael Holdich manages the Leckford Estate, where Partners and their guests can stay at subsidised rates.
  • Getting their act together
    Getting their act together 11 January 2013Mother and daughter Partners put on their own version of Little Voice – and prepare for more productions.
  • Music matters
    Music matters 12 October 2012Partnership Musical Director Manvinder Rattan is now also a TV star.
  • A hot-shot at PJs
    A hot-shot at PJs 24 August 2012Ulisse Floris, winner of the John Lewis Barista of the Year title, says coffee expertise runs in his family.
  • A cut above
    A cut above 17 August 2012Waitrose's Terry Hempenstall gives the hottest advice on barbecuing meat.
  • He's got supermarket dash
    He's got supermarket dash 06 July 2012Waitrose Holloway Road's Ray Ashfield talks about his career as a Branch Manager.
  • Patterns of work
    Patterns of work 22 June 2012Ben Smith talks about his graduate placement in the John Lewis Design Studio.
  • Mister stitcher
    Mister stitcher 25 May 2012John Lewis Partner Owen Davies' needlework has taken him from Kingston to Canada.
  • Who, what, wear
    Who, what, wear 18 May 2012The 'John Lewis woman' is always on Verity Parker's mind when she's thinking fashion.
  • Tales from the river bank
    Tales from the river bank 11 May 2012Meet Rob Goldsworthy, Head Riverkeeper at the Partnership's Leckford estate.
  • The weekenders
    The weekenders 13 April 2012Meet some of the Partnership's 18,000 Partners who make up the weekend workforce.
  • Kingston's sociable worker
    Kingston's sociable worker 17 February 2012John Lewis Kingston's Community Liaison Co-ordinator Lene Wood takes care of her community.
  • Learning curve
    Learning curve 20 January 2012The Partnership helps Partners pay for classes in anything from baking to breakdancing.
  • Fairy trade organisation
    Fairy trade organisation 16 December 2011Louise Birchmore works with suppliers in India to produce her fairtrade decorations.
  • Lead role
    Lead role 02 December 2011The Partnership has strong links with the charity Guide Dogs for the Blind.
  • In cider trading
    In cider trading 25 November 2011A local farm is keeping eight West Country Waitrose shops supplied with the most scrumptious of ciders.
  • The Specials One
    The Specials One 18 November 2011Waitrose Partner Richard Godfrey volunteers as a Special Constable in his free time.
  • A vine romance
    A vine romance 28 October 2011John Lewis Partner Phil Rossi supplies Waitrose with wine from the family vineyard.
  • The art of giving
    The art of giving 14 October 2011John Lewis Newcastle Partner Michael Brown is using his talents and experience to help others.
  • Quick on the draw
    Quick on the draw 09 September 2011One Waitrose Partner's cartographical skills have earned him the moniker, Mick the Map.
  • Man of the moment
    Man of the moment 26 August 2011Waitrose Partner and Indian classical musician Prabhat Rao on performing with Ravi Shankar.
  • A leap of faith
    A leap of faith 12 August 2011Despo Sammoutis jumps in with the Partnership Venture Club as they go 'coasteering' in Wales.
  • For those in peril
    For those in peril 05 August 2011Tim Watson is a driver by day and an RNLI lifeboat crew volunteer in his spare time.
  • Changing rooms
    Changing rooms 15 July 2011John Lewis Cheadle's Home Design Advisor is putting the colour back into people's lives.
  • Guitar man
    Guitar man 08 July 2011Partner Christan Slawinski is hoping to hit the big time with his band, The Branco Heist.
  • Past lives
    Past lives 01 July 2011People from all walks of life - from a vicar to a celebrity booker - work for the Partnership.
  • A head for steam
    A head for steam 21 April 2011Waitrose Partner Bill Tyndall has loved steam railways since he was a small boy.
  • From here to maternity
    From here to maternity 18 March 2011Helen Labanya helped save countless lives in her pre-Partnership days in Zambia.
  • Supporting role
    Supporting role 11 February 2011Helen Spencer buys lingerie ranges from basques to brands such as Mimi Holliday and Stella McCartney.
  • Flexible friends
    Flexible friends 04 February 2011Partners explain the benefits of part-time employment for them and the business.
  • Artists at work
    Artists at work 21 January 2011Conceptual artist Cecilia Kinnear is one of several Partners who get creative in their free time.
  • A good fit
    A good fit 14 January 2011Since becoming Sports Buyer, Ben Rogers has overseen the launch of a John Lewis fitness range.
  • Waitrose trailblazers
    Waitrose trailblazers 07 January 2011Meet the Partners who are on call for their local fire service – even when they're on the shop floor.

Highlight

Much of the John Lewis and Waitrose workforce is made up of Partners who work most or all of their hours at weekends. And they all bring something special with them.

Working at the weekends for the John Lewis Partnership means that it's not just the business that benefits - Partners do, too.

John Lewis Kingston Selling Assistant George Kimm admits that when he joined the China and Glass team over a year ago, his main aim was to get some work experience and earn some money to support him through his degree in Television Production at Bournemouth University. But he's gained more than he thought he would.

'Through my role, I've learnt how to approach customers, to communicate effectively with others and how to work as part of a team,' he says. 'A student life can often lack structure and discipline, so being in a professional work environment helps me with time management and organisation.'

For others, like Fashion Design student Jess Long at John Lewis Cambridge, working in a specialist department like haberdashery translates into great customer service. 'I love my job - not only does it broaden my knowledge of textiles, techniques and designs but I get some great advice from the people I work with,' she says.

'When I'm serving a customer, it's easy to get chatting about the products they're buying and what they're planning to make. It helps that we get some really creative customers coming into the department - often a customer will walk in with something interesting that can get the ideas flowing.'