A Coalville woman is the new 'poster girl' for the Camerados organisation.

Camerados is a movement of people popping up all across the UK and the globe who believe the best way to get through tough times is to be a camerado - halfway between a stranger and a friend, people just alongside each other, no fixing, no agenda, just there.

They do it in daily life or in Public Living Rooms, it is somewhere to go, relax, chat and look out for each other.

They say: 'It means we look out for each other!'

Camerados launched a national campaign to find an artist to help share these principles and Victoria Herriman, of Whitwick, was selected.

She is creating their new poster - The Power of Tea!  

Victoria said: "I'm really excited to have created this for Camerados their principles inspire me and I realised I'd been supported by what I call my 'silent camerado' friends to get to this point.

"My application to them included a story and a poster sharing their values.

"I'm looking forward to finalising The Power of Tea poster which will be shared with fellow Camerados and used to support new groups to set up. 

"Perhaps we could get a Public Living room going in Coalville?† 

Here is an extract from Victoria's Story that she sent to Camerados.

"I met Deana and Ian from THINK FC - the silent Camerados - in March, 2019, when I was down on my luck.

"I'd lost my job and I was feeling a bit rubbish. I didn't want to go out or do anything.

"My husband was feeling bored so I suggested he go on to social media and find something he could do in the community - a word I rarely used then.

"He found an event and contacted the organiser. This was the day the chain of events started that led to me setting up my own enterprise and finding my purpose.

"After the event, I met with Deana, the organiser. We shared our stories with each other and some Origami.

"She knew I was struggling and invited me to help. 

"We were very different. We had different views on things and thought differently, but we shared values. I wasn't used to this.

"We were so different that I was shocked when she wanted to spend some time with me.

"I then started connecting with people. I even did a speech on power of connection at the local theatre. I was asked to do some graphics work as I'd studied art.

"I enjoyed it and my skill was helpful to people. I was no longer Victoria the layabout, Victoria the lonely.

"I had a purpose I became Victoria the graphic designer.

"I'm now the Creative Director of THINK FC. I built a portfolio and I'm  working with other local organisations and setting up my own enterprise.

"I designed the logo for Coalville C.A.N. and the vision for the takeover of the Co-op site and have made the newsletter and a film for the Coalville Education Partnership.

"I'm also designing the THINK journals and tools which we are sharing online with primary school children and others to help them with a more positive mindset and decision making."

Join Victoria and others in their lockdown inspired Camerados 'Spoon Rooms' and connect with others all over the world on Wednesdays, 7-8pm and Saturdays, 11-12 Camerados UK

To find out more about Victoria Herriman Design click HERE

For THINK FC THINK tools see  HERE