Thankyou Kim: 35 years of dedication and making a difference at Hft

Going home at the end of the day knowing you have done something to make change, or make someone happy, is very rewarding”

Kim Hillier has celebrated 35 years working with Hft and says there’s never a dull day.

Kim joined Hft in August 1990 after a spell working as ground crew at Luton and Stansted airports.

She began working for the learning disability charity as a Support Worker at its 117 Hitchin Road service in Shefford – then known as Herald House – just as the first person moved into the residential service in September 1990.

As a Support Worker, Kim then went on to work at different Hft services before settling into a more long-term position at Hitchin Road.

After completing various training courses, Kim delivered workshops for learning disabled adults attending the Herald Resource Centres day opportunities service.

The workshops covered a variety of subjects including citizenship, community safety and contraception. .

“I was given a lot of opportunities over the years with Hft,” said Kim. “I was able to help where I was needed most.

“The training was excellent which helped me develop my career.”

Kim said one of her highlights of working for Hft was delivering the workshops at the resource centre.

“The workshops were great and we covered so many different subjects,” said Kim.

“And I learnt so much from all the people we support and it was wonderful being able to build and develop relationships with them.

“I felt that supported living made a real difference for the people we support and helped individuals flourish, thrive and lead more independent lives

“Having that knowledge in place gave them choice and in turn power to be able to go and live their best lives possible.”

Kim then spent the next 15 years working at Hft’s Supported Living service in Kings Walden Villas. “I absolutely loved this job,” said Kim.

“It was working out in the community with people in their own homes and that was a great opportunity to do some good work towards enabling people to become more independent and feeling empowered to make their own decisions and choices.”

Kim decided on a change of role in 2015 when a position came up as an administration assistant at Hft’s Bedfordshire service.

She later became a Business Support Officer for Hft Bedfordshire and Cambridge – based at the Bedfordshire Link building in Clifton – a role she still holds today.

Her job includes a range of duties, from sorting invoices to supporting management and taking minutes at meetings.

In her spare time, you’ll find Kim  busy renovating her home, walking or gardening.

To mark Kim’s extraordinary career at Hft she attended a presentation in her honour.

“I’ve been very lucky to enjoy my work, have fantastic colleagues and have some very fond memories of people past and present,” said Kim.

“There’s been lots of opportunities and every day is a learning day. These things are important to me in my work life.

“When opportunities arose and I was asked if I was interested, I took them and embraced them.

“There is never a dull day.

“Going home at the end of the day knowing you have done something to make change, or make someone happy, is very rewarding.”

Hft offers a variety of support worker roles that cater to the diverse needs of learning disabled individuals. 

Support workers play a crucial role in ensuring that clients receive the highest quality of care and have the opportunity to live independently. 

As a Hft Support Worker, you’ll support learning disabled people to take control of their own lives.

Our job roles vary to best suit the needs of the people we support.

To find out more about a rewarding career with Hft, visit Hft – Careers