To celebrate International Women's Day 2024, our staff team at Bentinck Terrace spoke to us about their background and why they do the work they do with us at Changing Lives.
Meet Jenna...
Tell us a bit about yourself – your likes, dislikes, hobbies etc!
I’m Jenna, I am the Project Lead of Bentinck Terrace. I have worked at Bentinck since September 2023, and I have worked for Changing Lives for 4 years in various accommodations across Durham. Outside of work I like to spend my time with family, friends and daughter. Listening to music and going for walks with my dog. Cooking and a decent cup of coffee. Somethings I don’t like are spiders, pens with no lids on and food shopping on a busy Saturday morning.
Why do you choose to do your job/work in the sector?
I’ve always had an interest in wanting to help people. I grew up in difficult circumstances have lived experience such as mental health personally and from family members. I have seen what the right support and network can do to overcome difficult challenges in your life. I knew I always wanted to work within a sector that made a difference to people’s lives and help them live fulfilling lives. My passion grew when I studied for my Community and Youth work degree. When the opportunity came up for a support worker position after I graduated. I knew Changing Lives would be an amazing opportunity. Due to the values, we have as an organisation. The work we do across the four pillars.
Is there a part of your work or something that you feel proud of that you want to highlight?
I feel proud of the current staff team I am trying to develop at Bentinck Terrace. I have begun to create a more diverse and inclusive staff team, which is representative of the various resident’s we currently support and will within the future. Our staff team is made of a variety of men and women from all different diverse backgrounds. Bentinck Terrace is a mixed service for both single men, single women and couples. We currently work with different ethnicities, cultures, religions, neurodiversity and lived experience. I want the people we support to feel represented, seen and part of a community. I am proud of the passion the staff show every day. It transpires in the support they deliver to those who need support the most.
What is it like working at Bentinck Terrace?
I love working at Bentinck Terrace no two days or two minutes are the same. Working in accommodation settings can be challenging. It is also the one of the most rewarding places to work. We get to be part of people’s journeys from start to finish of them moving on to their own independent accommodation hopefully to their forever homes. Whilst implementing as much wrap around support for them. Often it is the first stable accommodation they’ve lived in for a significant period.
This year's International Women's Day is all around inclusivity, what changes would you like to see made across the sector to promote further inclusivity?
Since I have joined Changing Lives, I have seen some progress in making it more inclusive for women within the sector such as flexible working and menopause. The campaigns and training provided around menopause from Changing Lives have been fantastic. However, I think we can take this further around women’s physical health. There are a growing number of women who are being diagnosed or in the process of being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Women who have ongoing fertility issues. Putting out campaigns and creating a discussion would help women feel more supported at work. It creates a level of understanding for people who line manage and help further support them in the workplace.
Meet Alex...
Tell us a bit about yourself – your likes, dislikes, hobbies etc!
Hi I’m Alex a support worker working at Bentinck Terrace. I have only Been working here a couple of weeks, but I have worked for changing lives for nearly 8 years. I have worked in women’s services prior to moving over to the accommodation side nearly two years ago. I have two little boys and a stepdaughter who I love to spend time with and go on different adventures with.
Why do you choose to do your job/work in the sector?
I have chosen to work in this sector to help and support individuals in their times of need and try to make a difference. Understanding and being nonjudgmental of different positions people can be in.
What is it like working at Bentinck Terrace?
Although I am still new to the role at Bentinck I am really enjoying my time here, getting to know all the different residents and understanding their needs. Also having a excellent staff team and management has made my transition to here very smooth. I am looking forward to my time here and gaining new knowledge and experiences.
This year's International Women's Day is all around inclusivity, what changes would you like to see made across the sector to promote further inclusivity?
I feel like working in the accommodation it is difficult to promote inclusivity around working mothers as there is lots of different shift patterns. I am lucky enough to be trailing a fixed term post which is allowing me to work hours around my childcare which is really refreshing and allows me to still have a career and still look after my children. I feel like this is something that should definitely be looked at more.
Meet Isabelle...
Tell us a bit about yourself – your likes, dislikes, hobbies etc!
I’m Isabelle and I’m a student on placement at Bentinck Terrace. I am here for a year before going back to university to finish my psychology degree. My likes include running, going for a coffee and walk and I love the programme Criminal Minds. My dislikes are baked beans, traffic, and slow walkers. My hobbies are going to the gym, being at the pub with friends, reading and watching Netflix.
Why do you choose to do your job/work in the sector?
I am a student doing a Psychology degree so chose to do a placement and this was at Bentinck Terrace. As lots of the residents have mental health issues, it is fascinating to learn their triggers and how their upbringing has contributed to the manifestation of these issues.
Is there a part of your work or something that you feel proud of that you want to highlight?
I feel proud when they find a property to move in to and they feel able to live independently. Also, when they are grateful for our support and make us feel like we have made a positive impact on their lives.
What is it like working at Bentinck Terrace?
It is a lovely working environment. It is a majority women team, and everyone supports each other during the highs and lows. It is a welcoming and friendly place to come in to, where you feel, you can speak to anyone about anything.
This year's International Women's Day is all around inclusivity, what changes would you like to see made across the sector to promote further inclusivity?
I would like to see more awareness of the differences between men and women and recognise that everyone requires different support and needs. The sector should try and understand periods and the menopause better and how this affects women on a monthly and daily basis. There should also be better support for maternity leave, so it is a smooth transition leaving and returning and it brings as little stress as possible.
Meet Katherine...
Tell us a bit about yourself – your likes, dislikes, hobbies etc!
I’m Katherine, I am a support worker at Bentinck Terrace, and I have been here since December 2023. I love animals and have four house rabbits and a Husky at home. Outside of work, I run a rabbit rescue, which takes up most of my free time!
Why do you choose to do your job/work in the sector?
I used to do a similar job in Manchester, then I came to Newcastle to do my PhD. When I completed that, I realised how much I missed working in a people-facing role and being able to make a difference to people’s lives, even in the smallest way. Changing Lives’ ethos really matches my own values, and so its lovely working for an organisation where that’s the case.
Is there a part of your work or something that you feel proud of that you want to highlight?
I am just really proud to be part of such a fantastic team of people here at Bentinck, and to be able to work in an environment where kindness, compassion, and support is prioritised.
What is it like working at Bentinck Terrace?
I love working here and look forward to coming into work every day. It’s not always the easiest job in the world, but I think its one of the most rewarding. Being able to be there to support people to make changes they might not have thought possible before is amazing.
This year's International Women's Day is all around inclusivity, what changes would you like to see made across the sector to promote further inclusivity?
We are a diverse staff team and support a diverse group of residents here at Bentinck. I’d love to see increased attention paid to the different cultural backgrounds that make up our staff teams here at Changing Lives, as I think we all have a lot we can learn from each other and a lot of value we can all add through our different experiences.
Meet Charlotte...
Tell us a bit about yourself – your likes, dislikes, hobbies etc!
I’m Charlotte and I’m a support worker at Bentinck terrace. I am a new member of the team and really love working at Bentinck. Some of my interests are socialising with friends and family on weekends and I have recently started baking as a hobby. I try to bake a new recipe each week. I am a huge animal lover so anything to do with animals interests me. Some of my dislikes are any kind of bug or insect, mess and baked beans.
Why do you choose to do your job/work in the sector?
I have always wanted to work in a field that helps people and does meaningful work. I have lived experience with family members who have addictions and have been homeless, as well as my personal lived experience with past mental health issues. I have always admired the work that changing lives does and when the opportunity to become a member of their work force came up I was excited to apply.
Is there a part of your work or something that you feel proud of that you want to highlight?
I feel proud to represent diversity within our workforce, as I am an Autistic woman. I am also proud to be working in a team that is so inclusive and accepting of all kinds of diversity within their team. Another thing I am proud of is having gotten a full-time role here at Bentinck, after starting as a sessional worker.
What is it like working at Bentinck Terrace?
Working at Bentinck terrace is different to any job I have had previously, but it is the only job I have had that I look forward to going to each day. I love being a support worker and being able to form professional relationships with the residents and supporting them in moving forward in life is amazing. Although some aspects of the job can be challenging, having residents progress and engage with support is so rewarding.
This year's International Women's Day is all around inclusivity, what changes would you like to see made across the sector to promote further inclusivity?
As a neurodiverse individual I feel more education on autism for staff across the sector would be beneficial in promoting inclusivity. Diversity and inclusivity is so important and having the diverse staff team here at Bentinck helps when building relationships with the diverse range of residents.
Find out more about our flagship accommodation project Bentinck Terrace here.