A career that grows with you

Jill

from Assistant Secretary to Administration Manager...

Hi my name is Jill and I am the Administration Manager at Meadow View.

I have worked for Hesley Group for many years now, having joined in January 2008 with my journey beginning at another service as an Assistant Secretary. I moved over to Meadow View in January 2012 as I gained a promotion to Senior Secretary and was then successful in my application for the Administrator role in August 2017. More recently that role has developed into my new Administration Manager position.

I really enjoy working for Hesley Group as I have always felt supported within each role and have always been encouraged to progress. I have built up relationships with various teams across all sites and have worked together on various projects.

It’s a real team effort working here, it’s great how all the roles come together to support the people within the services of Hesley Group.

Laura

from Activity Co-ordinator to Assistant Principal...

Right from leaving college and then going on to study my degree in Early Childhood Studies I always knew that I wanted a career with a difference, something out of the ordinary, where every day is different, exciting, and challenging. I can certainly say that has been the case for me over the last 15 years.

After completing my degree, I worked for 18 months for another health and social care provider, whilst I was trying to figure out if I wanted to work in social care or education. One thing I was sure about was that I wanted to work with young people with complex needs.

I first joined Hesley Group as an Activity Programme Co-ordinator and for five years working in this role I got to have fun for a living. I organised and led adventure mini breaks, co-ordinated and lead after school clubs and organised activities in the school holidays including special events. I was also given the opportunity to work closely with education teams as well as with social care, this role kept me busy to say the least, allowed me to be creative whilst being fun and exciting.

Whilst in this role I was lucky enough to have the most supportive manager who was able to guide me to success. I was also given the opportunity to attend an array of different courses that would benefit the offer to the young people in our service, for example I completed my gym instructor qualification and Rebound Therapy Coach award. During this time, I also completed my Diploma in Teaching, of which supported me to become more outcome focused in the provision I developed.

After I had accomplished what I had set out to achieve in that role, I was ready to move on. A teaching opportunity became available at one of Hesley Group’s other services, I was successful in my application and before I had completed my first-year teaching, I had proudly achieved my Qualified Teacher Status. Before I knew it, I had been teaching for five years and was ready for my next challenge. In 2020 I gained a new title of SENCO and became part of the Senior Leadership team. Within the first year of the post, I achieved my Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs Co-ordination with Sheffield Hallam University. My proudest qualification to date, I thoroughly enjoyed studying for this course and took a lot from it to use in practice to improve the lives of those I have always passionately and strongly advocated for my whole career to date.

Today I am proudly leading the Mercury College education team in my most recent role as Head of Education in a fast paced and continuously developing service, always striving for improvement, an exciting project, a learning opportunity, and a privilege to be part of the support network of people around a group of amazing young adults. Preparing them to lead their best lives ahead of them.

Lisa Mason

from Support Worker to General Manager...

In December 1995 I started work as a relief support worker at the Hesley Group.  I thoroughly enjoyed this role and knew that I had found a career that I wanted to pursue.  After leaving university I applied to move from a relief role to a full-time support worker and gained valuable experience in the social care sector.

I was ambitions and luckily the Hesley Group was supportive of this and encouraged me to apply for qualifications/courses to enhance my skills and knowledge.  I was offered the opportunity of completing NVQ 2-7, Registered managers award, Makaton regional tutor, Bachelor of Philosophy Degree in Learning Disability and more recently Level 8 diploma in Strategic Management.    

I gradually progressed from support worker to Team Leader to Deputy Care Manager to Care Manager to Assistant General Manger to General Manager and to my current position of Assistant Director.

I never thought all those years ago that I would still be working for the Hesley Group and in a role I love.

The company has invested time in me, and I have invested time in them.  It is lovely to feel appreciated and to still say that 29 years later I still enjoy my role and feel that I am making a difference to the people we support.