Jobs & Careers with Piers Linney - 121

PROMOTION

'SUPPORTING THESE PEOPLE IS AMAZING'
Donna Heath is a Service Manager at Hft

e w ys wor ed in the c re industry ut ft s definite y the est
place I've worked. The whole charity is really supportive to those we
support and staff are well looked after, too - we have a great training
scheme. There's always something new to learn and to help me
develop, both work-wise and personally.
'I look after a team of 15 staff and it can get pretty challenging,
wh t with
the st ffin res onsi i ities i e st ff meetin s nd
r is s s we
s m n in house nd eo e s fin nces nd oo in fter on c duties uc i y
my manager's brilliant, and the support workers are fantastic, too.
'At the end of the day, though, it's the people we support who make it all worthwhile,
especially when I see them doing things they obviously love doing and that they've
chosen for themselves. Seeing people we support achieve something they've set
their minds to is amazing. I remember supporting one particular person with
learning disabilities who was keen to get into work - I put her forward as someone
who wou d enefit from h in
o
e new the rocess wou d e ch en in for
her
ut we su orted her throu h it nd she ot the o
ou shou d h e seen her
parents' faces when they saw that their daughter had found her own employment
and was earning her own money - they were delighted for her.'
the extra mile to ensure staff at every level
receive support, learning and development
to succeed at all times in their role.

Expanding your skillset

Helping those
with disabilities is
hugely rewarding

' IT'S A FAR CRY FROM THE STEEL WORKS'
John Dodworth is a Support Worker

ne er set out to e su ort wor er
m from heffie d so w s
always expected to go into the steel works, or onto the building sites
i e my d so did
entu y eft the ui din tr de nd oined
Hft to become a support worker, and I haven't looked back since.
'It sounds corny but I feel like I really do make a difference to
the lives of the nine people I support - in all kinds of ways, such as
with their hospital appointments, and in speaking up for themselves. It's the little
thin s in ife those we often t e for r nted th t m e difference hen you re
working with people you can see how important it is that they make their own
choices and have a say in their future.
'Don't get me wrong, it can get stressful, but if I can bring a smile to someone's
face then it's worth it. My biggest challenge is how to communicate with some
people, so I've trained in Makaton, a form of sign language, and that helps a lot.
They bend over backwards here to see to it that you get good training.
e re w ys comin u with thin s to do to encour e eo e to fee etter
about themselves; we sail, go to the pub - and even go on holidays. I've set up a
oo c u
th t w s one of my ide s su ortin eo e to find wor or eisure
cti ities they w nt to do is
i
rt of the o
c n t im ine doin nother o now th t e e erienced wor in with eo e in
this way. I know my manager and colleagues have got my back whenever's necessary,
too d r ther e su ort wor er th n heffie d es ue stee wor er ny d y

The charity offers different methods of
delivering training to suit individuals
and subject matter, including e-learning,
coaching, and face-to-face training.
Its thorough induction programme takes
a modular approach, meaning that every
aspect of Hft and your role is covered - far
exceeding usual induction standards.
Hft's on-going training is designed to
help each person develop both personally
and professionally and helps to ensure
skills and knowledge are always up to date.
It offers access to training via the
Apprenticeship framework, and opportunities
to gain transferable skills in maths and
English and a recognised vocational
qualiﬁcation (a diploma in health and social
care speciﬁcally designed for people who
support adults with a learning disability).

MORE INFORMATION
Visit www.hft.org.uk/
Get-involved/Jobs/
http://www.hft.org.uk/
Jobs & Careers with Piers Linney

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