Kay celebrates 20th anniversary with Hft

Kay Nicholls is celebrating her 20th year working for Hft – and says she’s looking forward to the next two decades with the charity.

Kay began her career with Hft in 2005, initially joining as a support worker in South Molton, Devon.

Eighteen months later, she became the service manager at Oak Meadow Supported Living Service in South Molton before moving into the role as service manager at the charity’s residential service, Oak Tree House in Bampton.

Kay says every day in her role is different.

“There’s always so much to do from sorting out the rota, to liaising with families and meeting all our compliance responsibilities,” said Kay

“It’s a busy role but a hugely rewarding one.

“No day is ever the same and you know that every day what you do makes a real difference to the lives of the people we support.”

Kay manages a team of 19 full and part time staff, many who have been part of the team for many years.

“We have a lot of staff who have been with Hft for many years,” said Kay.

“And that is a really positive thing. Not only do people find working for Hft a rewarding role it also means that the people we support have continuity in their care.”

And there’s lots of fun to be had at Hft’s Devon services – from enjoying local coffee mornings to performing in the charity’s accessible choir, The Holler choir which Kay set up 15 years ago.

“There’s always something going on,” smiled Kay.

“We get to do a variety of different things and as well as the day to day support we do a lot of activities in and around the community

“There are drama workshops, coffee mornings, music events and we have a travelling panto visit us each Christmas.

“We also put on discos which supported people from right across Devon attend and are partial to having a tea party too.

“We are very much part of the community and the choir has performed at events in the area.

“We have also entered South Molton Carnival.

“The people we support have very supportive families and we organise regular friends and families events.”

Kay is now looking forward to the next 20 years with Hft.

“My team of colleagues are great,” said Kay, “and everyone is supportive of each other,” said Kay

“We all share a common goal and that’s to enable the people we support to live their lives, their way.

“Working together to achieve that simply means I love coming to work each day.”