Our newest staff member Michelle Thompson reflects on her first few weeks as part of our Support Team…
“I’ve been at Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire a couple of months now, and I’m really enjoying it. My role is Development Support Worker – I provide specific support to each ‘companion’ (previously homeless person being supported by the charity), to enable them to progress positively.
I’ve always worked in roles involving helping vulnerable people. I was with the probation service working with offenders and victims of crime and I’ve also been a child counsellor and a mental health advocate.
I’d describe myself as a people-person and I think that’s why my new job suits me. I get to do something different every day, and I’m certainly never bored! I help individual companions set personal goals and then help them create action plans to achieve them, whether that’s improving their mental health or getting a job.
The best moments so far have come when I’ve been able to assist a companion in some small way to improve their life – sometimes it is the small things that matter. And that’s what it’s all about – making a difference to the lives of companions every day.”