Today is International Women’s Day and we are celebrating all of the fantastic women at InFocus Charity.
At InFocus, there are incredible women working to support inspirational young people with vision impairments and complex needs.
We celebrate our community of women everyday, from therapists, to support workers, to teachers, to receptionists, to friends. This International Women’s Day, we would like to share some of their stories with you.
Nicola’s Story
I started work here 17 years ago as an enabler working with young people with vision impairment and complex needs. I love being part of a team and particularly enjoyed the Therapy sessions that I attended with young people , seeing the difference that this could make to their lives.
I progressed to the position of team leader and then to the position of Speech and Language Therapy Assistant.
I have been on some fantastic training courses and been able to use the skills gained to help young people to develop their communication.
No two days are the same.
Beth’s Story
I have worked at InFocus for nearly four years, starting as a work experience student and absolutely loving it!
I joined the bank whilst I continued my studies, once I had complete this I joined full time on a team, running shifts in the absence of team leaders.
Then a further two years later the deputy manager job was available, I went for it as I wanted to progress in my career and felt it was the right time, I got the job and having been working in this role for nearly a year.
Jane’s Story
I started work here part time as a Habilitation Specialist as a Mum with two small children. As they got older I was able to increase my hours and then had an amazing opportunity through work to gain a degree in Rehabilitation Studies for Visual Impairment at Birmingham University. This has led onto my current role where I am Pastoral and Certified Mental Health Lead with a counselling diploma in Bereavement and Loss.
I have loved all my roles here and work across education and residential areas. Even though I have a stand-alone post I always feel part of a team and the young people I work with are so amazing. They are often the ones that teach me!
Amanda’s Story
I started working at InFocus having found myself being made redundant after 30 years for a High Street Bank. I started on the Estates role, which meant I got to know every inch of our lovely 12 acre campus and the majority of the staff. My role as Executive Assistant came up 18 months ago and I was successful in securing this role.
I love working here. It is very satisfying and you feel that you are giving something back to our wonderful, inspiring young people, who go about their business every day with a smile on their faces and without complaint, despite their challenges. I feel we can all learn from this.
