Staff Profile

Amanda Fozzard - Manager.

Hello everyone, I have been the manager at Skillshop for about a year now. I have 10 years experience in a managerial role but only the last 12 months as manager of a day care centre supporting adults with learning disabilities. I had itchy feet at my previous position and decided that i was ready for a change of direction in my career. Well Skillshop is certainly that. Multi tasking is my middle name and is a definite requirement of the job role. I have had to do some training relevant to the job role to bring me up to speed and i am just about to start a Level 5 Diploma Award in Leadership and Management for Adult Services.

The people who attend Skillshop are such a lovely bunch and it is so rewarding to see them learning new skills, making new friends and enjoying themselves in a caring and friendly environment. Myself and the team are always trying to develop and create new and exciting activities for our client's and help them as much as possible to make their own choices, live their own lives and make their own informed decisions. After all, that is the reason why we are here doing the job we choose.

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Sam Egan - Support Worker

Hi guy's my name is Sam and i am 20 years old. Straight after leaving school i enrolled at Calderdale College to study Health & Social care. I studied for three years and proudly passed with a grade Distinction. I enjoyed all aspects of the course and instantly new this was where my career feet were taking me. I began working as a volunteer at Skillshop and found i really enjoyed supporting people with learning disabilities. I looked forward to each day attending Skillshop and found it great getting to know each individual client. I was fortunately offered a place to be part of the Skillshop team and i jumped at the chance as everyday was filled with fun and laughter. As i now understood which career path was right for me i applied to study a Degree and i successfully was given a place at the University of Bradford studying the Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care. I have just completed year one of the course and i will be studying the final year in September.

Skillshop is a totally fantastic place for all individuals and i feel proud to say i work here. All the clients are great fun and i start the day smiling and end the day smiling.

Each day at Skillshop is like a new adventure, always new goals to achieve and always new activities to take part in.

I am planning to make a positive future at Skillshop and feel confident that we will go a long way.

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Carolyn Robertson - Support Worker

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Dolroy Warner - Support Worker

Alreet, my friends call me Del. I have been involved in caring for over 10 years and have worked with many different groups in that time and thoroughly enjoy the work i do. I also enjoy woodwork, art and working outdoors - and there is always plenty of this to do at skillshop. I like a good project!!

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Michelle Mitchinson - Cook / Support Worker

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Lisa Crawshaw - Support Worker

Hello, my name is Lisa Crawshaw and I am 24 years old. I have a 5 year old son called Jack and he really loves to join our Bowling Club once a month. The first time he joined bowling he had a great time and everyone from Skillshop was so friendly to him. He even won the Bronze Award, bless him! Now he looks forward to seeing everybody each month and is beginning to learn everyone's names.

In March 2009, I was lucky enough to be offered a job with Skillshop - I was delighted and accepted straight away. I had previously volunteered at Skillshop for over a year as part of the university course I was studying in which I was required to undertake a certain amount of work experience hours in a health or social care environment.

In May 2009, I successfully completed the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care, passing the course with a 'brilliant' Distinction! I graduate in October. So this is where my excellent journey at Skillshop began.

From the very first day at Skillshop, I knew I would love it. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly which made me feel comfortable from the start. As the months passed, I began forming bonds with staff and attendees and really enjoyed getting to know each person individually. I can remember going home and thinking (or should I say hoping) that one day I would have the opportunity to be asked to become a member of staff.

From the moment I was offered a job with Skillshop, I can honestly say that not a day has gone by at work that I am not smiling! I absolutely love my job and enjoy working with the Skillshop attendees everyday.Each day is completely different and brings on new activities, tasks and challenges.

I feel very lucky to be part of such a great and happy place. I feel extremely positive and confident about the future at Skillshop.

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Tracey Northrop - Support Worker

Hello everyone, my name is Tracey Northrop and I am 22 years old with a gorgeous 3 year old son called Joshua Philip Brayshaw.

I am proud to say that I am a part-time member of staff at Skillshop. I started as a volunteer in 2007 when I was studying on a full-time Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care at Bradford University. In October 2009, I will graduate with a degree in Social Sciences.

I enjoy supporting adults with learning disabilities and it is a pleasure to have been given the opportunity to work here. throughout my experience I have developed such determination and enthusiasm to help and encourage individuals to live life more independently. When I arrive at Skillshop each day, I love to see all the clients and staff.

Every month we take the clients to the Electric Bowl in Halifax and they always have a fun time bowling. I even take my son with me and it is wonderful that everyone is really friendly with him. At the new Skillshop there are so many plans for great service improvement.

During my time at Skillshop, I have never had a bad experience.I feel very confident working here and feel that we all face a happy time ahead. I look forward to expanding my prospects and hopefully achieve my aim to gain a positive future at Skillshop.

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