What is your career background?
I was a Pre-School Leader working with Military Families in various locations around the UK and Europe. Upon moving back to UK , I went to work for the NHS as admin service manager for adult medicine for 13 years before coming across to Launchpad Reading in 2012.
You have been at Launchpad for more than 10 years, what brought you to the charity?
I initially came to the charity as an administration temp for a period of three months to support with the volunteering project …. 10 years later I’m still here!
What are the main changes you have seen?
Launchpad has developed its support services vastly since I joined 10 years ago, thus enabling us to support even more people through challenging times. And the opening of Launchpad 135, the work and life skills centre has been a major achievement showing how we continue to support people in moving on with their lives.
What does your role entail?
As the Life Skills and Volunteering Project Service Manager I get to wear two hats. I oversee the staff team for the Life skills Centre and also line manage our coordinator for the volunteering project. My role can be heavy admin based at times checking statistics and going to lots of meetings around partnerships, but when I can I like to be part of the many and varied activities.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people, from clients to staff, students to volunteers, I enjoy being part of team and seeing the difference that Launchpad support can make to individuals.
I enjoy that every day is different but more than anything I love how many different people I get to meet, and how many of their stories I get the privilege of hearing. And it’s not just the client’s journeys that are so uplifting; it’s that of our volunteers and supporting students too in their professional work placements.
What are the challenges of your role?
Apart from sometimes there never seems to be enough hours in the day!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like being outdoors and spend a lot of my time with my three dogs and the Kennet Flyball Club. We race our dogs in competitions and go camping together – there can be 150 dogs in a field! I am a single mum to two grown up children and I have a grandson too. My other interests are movies, reading and yoga – and I used to line dance but flyball means I don’t have enough time to do that anymore!