Five minutes with…Helen
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Our school service team has been supporting school staff, children, young people and families for decades.
With increasing demand for our services, and – as our recent research showed – schools also increasingly needing to respond to the ever-changing needs of their wider community, the support given by our team is arguably more important now than ever.
Here, Helen, who leads the school service team tells us more about the urgent challenges facing local families and schools and ways in which we can help…
How long have you worked with Caritas Salford and why did you decide to come and work with our charity?
I’ve worked for Caritas for 10 years this year, having started in August 2015.
I was born and raised in Salford and have extended family who live in various parishes across the diocese. I went to school in Salford at St Lukes RCP, Irlam O’the Height and then went to St Lawrences RCH, Weaste, Salford. I went on to study at Salford University as a mature student, where I gained my degree in social work.
After having started my working career in 1999 as a newly qualified social worker based in Warrington and then moving to Wigan, as a senior social worker, the opportunity to apply for the position of team manager on the schools team at Caritas Salford was the next step for me as a practitioner. I attended an open day to find out more about the role and just knew then it was a place I wanted to work.
What’s the best thing about working at Caritas?
My values align with those of Caritas and also with Social Work England, the social work regulatory body. I have the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded people who want to make a difference to the people who access our service. Caritas treats everyone with respect and dignity, and I’m supported by fantastic colleagues within the team and also the wider charity too.
What’s the best thing about working in your role?
Working with passionate colleagues and volunteers fosters a strong sense of community and teamwork, which can be very fulfilling.
Caritas is a charity. What’s it like working for a charitable organisation?
Working for a charity is very different to working in a local authority. While the work can be emotionally rewarding, it can also be challenging. Witnessing the struggles of those you are supporting can be hard, but making a difference is what matters.
What surprised you about working here that you didn’t expect?
I was surprised to find out how many volunteers work across the charity to support all the excellent work that goes on with in the various projects and services.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I enjoy spending time with my family and making memories with them whenever I can. I enjoy going to a favourite place of mine, Anglesey in Wales, where I have been going since I was around 11 years old. It is my happy place.
What’s your favourite thing(s) to do in Manchester or Lancashire?
There are lots of things to do and see in and around Manchester and Lancashire. Just finding new places to explore – walks, attractions, cafes etc. is great. I tried rolling skating a few weeks ago…which was a very different experience from when I last did it some 40 plus years ago!
What three words best describe you?
Approachable, caring, thoughtful.
How would you sum up the difference your work makes in a sentence?
We support vulnerable children, young people and families to overcome the many challenges they face in life, working in partnership with them to create lasting positive change.
Find out more about our school service and ways it can help by clicking here now.