We spoke to Kirsty, one of our colleagues who has committed to her professional development and has recently been promoted within our services.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am a mam of three who went back to University as a mature student wanting to be a Social Worker, but as time went on, I realised it wasn't the role for me. I went into working in homelessness while I figured out what I wanted to do and I've never left the sector.
How long have you been part of Changing Lives, and what roles have you held during your time here? Could you tell us a bit about those roles?
I started working for Changing Lives almost 6 years ago as a Housing Management worker in Auckland House, working with vulnerable women facing homelessness in Durham. They were with us for their 56 day assessment period and we would signpost into support agencies and try to help with sustainable move on options. From there I went to work on the CRS contract based in HMP Low Newton as an Accommodation Coach.
This role has changed over time to encompass more pathways and is now a Specialist Criminal Justice Coach position, working with both sentenced and women remanded in custody. The main duties of a coach is to try and help find emergency accommodation and make the transition into the community as smooth and successful as possible. There really is no role like this one and I encourage anyone with an interest to keep an eye out for any positions that become available - I have never loved a job before like I have this one.
What does your new role involve?
I have recently been made a Service Co-ordinator for Cleveland and Custody and work across HMP Low Newton, Stockton and Hartlepool. My new position involves leading the teams to provide holistic and structured resettlement support for women involved in the Justice system in Cleveland and Custody along with other line management responsibilities.
Now that you have increased responsibility, how does your current role differ from your previous one?
While I still carry a small caseload, my working day has changed enormously from walking the wings daily to lots more of an admin and collating role.
In what ways do you feel you needed to develop professionally (and personally) to be ready for this new role?
I believe that my ability to progress has come from spending time to learn the service/project from within, and being able to see what works, what doesn't and thinking outside the box to try and implement change for the better. I was very lucky to have a supportive Team Lead who would listen to some of my ideas and let me loose to try and find a 'fix' if possible.
I think that the passion for the job I do was a big reason that I progressed within Changing Lives along with support and encouragement from my managers and leads. I intend to take this approach forward with the women I now lead, who are brilliant within their own rights.
