I have worked at Charter House for the last four years. Prior to this I was a busy mum raising my three children. Once all my children had begun school I was ready for a new challenge and attended several courses and developed many new skills before starting work at Charter House. I have a very full role in all aspects of care, from developing projects and activities that deliver structured, engaging sessions to meeting daily care needs. I am passionate about my job and feel a sense of reward and achievement each day. In my spare time I support my son in his talent for football. Travelling around the country attending matches and training, I also enjoy keeping fit by running and attending various exercise groups. I have training in Positive Behaviour Support, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene, First Aid and Epilepsy and I am currently studying to gain my Care Certificate.

I worked in a large day care centre for Lancashire County Council for 22 years mainly as a cook but also fulfilling a care role on a daily basis including supporting numerous service users on activity holidays in the Lake District. My most recent care role was supporting a disabled lady on a remote island just off the Hebrides which has been one of my biggest challenges to date. In my spare time I enjoy cake making and art which are skills that I put to great use to benefit our services users. My main duties at Charter House are to manage our team of staff in the Resource Centre, and support the people who attend sessions with us during the day. I work to ensure the whole team provide a safe, fun, educational, stimulating and friendly environment for our service users. I have training in Positive Behaviour Support, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene and First Aid.

Before joining the team at Charter House, I was working as a purchase ledger clerk, using my AAT qualification in accounting. Since joining Charter House I have used my existing skills in accounts and the use of computers to adapt systems for ease of use. During my time here I have undertaken numerous courses and training to improve my skills, helping the company move forward and enabling me to improve myself. My job title has changed from office administer to office manager. Qualifications include AAT level 2 Accounting, a HR degree, Sage beginners to intermediate, Customer service training, Introduction to Time Management, Positive behaviour support., Safeguarding, Food Hygiene and First Aid.

Before establishing Charter House with my husband Jason, I worked in a large day care setting for Lancashire County Council for 22 years. I started this role as a support worker and enhanced my skills wherever I could. For the last four years of my employment there I worked alongside my manager to become Team Leader. This gave me the experience I needed to establish and run Charter House Day Care Centre in Burnley. Myself and Jason now also care for adults with special needs in our own home and I have recently been presented with Radio Lancashire's Carer of the Year Award. I was immensely proud to receive my award at the Community Heroes Awards ceremony at Preston Guild Hall in September 2018. My qualifications include NVQ level 3 in Promoting Independence, a BTEC Level 4 Introduction to Management, First Aid training, Epilepsy Awareness training, Dementia Awareness training, Medication management, Positive Behaviour Support, Safeguarding and Food Hygiene.

Prior to establishing Charter House Resource Centre & Sensory Room, I worked for 10 years for the NHS in a disability supported living environment. Having gained so much knowledge and experience and seeing a need in my local community my wife, Carolyn and I decided to open a brand new Day Care Centre for adults with disabilities and special needs in Burnley. Since opening Charter House I have gained even more experience and expanded my knowledge of working with people who have special needs or disabilities and the centre has gone from strength to strength. I am always looking to improve and expand the services we can offer. We have now moved into a larger premises and have expanded our services to help more people including the elderly and those with dementia. I have many exciting plans for the future of Charter House including utilising the plentiful outdoor space with a community garden. My qualifications include an NVQ Level 3 in Social Care, First Aid training, Epilepsy Awareness, Medication Management, Positive Behaviour Support, Safeguarding and Food Hygiene.