Our brilliant colleague Stephen, Project Lead at The Fells, told us about his roles within our housing projects.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I love spending time with my family and my dog, I love having trips away, and nice walks. My hobbies and interests are watching Football, Cricket, Golf, and Boxing. I used to play Football, but not anymore. I play Golf now and go to the Gym. I also love helping and supporting people.
How long have you worked at Changing Lives, and what roles have you had in your time? Tell us a bit more about your roles.
I’ve worked for Changing Lives since July 2020. I started as a Nightshift Support Worker working with Young People over at The Old Manse in Birtley. I then moved over to The Fells in December 2020 as a Dayshift Support Worker, working as a Support Worker for 2 and a half years until March 2023 before becoming Senior Support Worker. In November 2023 I became Project Lead of The Fells, and this is my current role!
What does your current role entail?
Within my current role as Project Lead of The Fells, I oversee the whole project, including staff and the people we support. There’s a lot involved within my role as Project Lead. i.e – I line manage a Mental Health Hub, which consists of a Part-Time OT, a Full-Time OT, and a Full-Time Mental Health Engagement Worker. I also line manage a Senior Support Worker, a Senior Maintenance Worker, a Senior Nightshift Support Worker, an Engagement and Resilience Worker, and a Hospital Discharge Co-Ordinator. I deal with the project’s budgets and banking, housing – liaising with DCC Housing Benefit, Housing App, signing off DATIX’s, Timesheets, Annual Leave and Sickness.
I play a big part within the referral process/system of who comes into our service, I work closely with Commissioners and have a fantastic relationship with them. Ultimately, I am here to help/support every single worker we have here at The Fells, not just the ones that I line manage. I have a lot of good, trusted relationships internally within Changing Lives and externally with fellow partners/agencies. There’s also a lot more involved!
How does your role differ from your former role(s) now you hold more responsibility?
There’s more on my shoulders with the responsibility and authority. People look up to me for advice/answers. It’s my job to ensure that the safety of our project, service users and staff is paramount, and the everyday running of The Fells is as smooth as possible.
This role is a lot different to all 3 of my previous roles within Changing Lives. I’ve always loved the interaction/engagement/support element with the people who use our services - There isn’t as much of that anymore as Project Lead, although, I do always try my best to squeeze some of this in!
How do you feel you had to develop professionally (and personally) in order to secure your new role?
I had to take that step up personally and professionally, I had to put certain barriers/boundaries in place with existing staff members that I’d once been a fellow Support Worker with, as I had to gain more respect as a Project Lead. I’ve had to build a lot of good, trusted relationships internally within Changing Lives and externally with fellow partners/agencies. I’m already quite a mature person, but without myself even realising, I feel I’ve matured even more within my current job role as Project Lead.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m a very passionate person and I absolutely love my job! I have lived experience, so I can relate massively to a lot of our ‘lads’. I absolutely follow Changing Lives’ values. I love The Fells project, our amazing staff team and our unbelievable service users.
