Grahame Jones, Payroll & Banking Team Leader Expand I joined Independent Lives in November 2009, initially as a Payroll Co-ordinator and now Payroll & Banking Team Leader.Previously I have worked for a Cosmetic, Telecommunications and a Manufacturing company within their payroll department spanning 18 years.I get personal satisfaction from helping other people which makes their lives easier.
Yvonne Farenden, Personal Budgets Team Leader Expand I’ve been with Independent Lives since 2008, initially as an enquiries officer, before becoming an adviser for the Direct Payment Information & Advice Service, then senior adviser, then my current position as Personal Budgets Team Leader. I miss the direct contact with customers in their own home, but still get to support customers over the phone which I really enjoy as I like feeling I’m helping people. I keep a close eye on CRM as I’m a stickler for detail and like to make sure things are done correctly.
Sue Caslake, Workforce Development Lead Expand I joined Independent Lives in 2010, before that I worked as a Reception Manager in a local GP Surgery and this is when I became more aware of the social model of disability, not just the medical model. I have always had a passion for supporting people and strongly believe that everyone should have choice and control to live a fulfilling, independent life. My current role of Workforce Development Lead involves managing a Skills for Care funded project, and developing the Personal Assistant (PA) and Care Support Worker workforce so people have top quality care and support to enable them to live independently.
Sam Pegg, Director of Care Services Expand I joined Independent Lives back in 2010 to work with the New Business Lead to develop and launch Lend a Hand, our care service. Since then, the service has grown and gained a Care Quality Commission rating of ‘Good’ and CHAS accreditation, and our team has been recognised in local awards as Unsung Heroes! As registered Care Manager, I am working towards the service gaining an ‘Excellent’ CQC rating, having introduced coffee mornings and opportunities for our customers to take part in local community projects, and I am always looking at ways to improve the quality and safety of our service. I love the diversity of my role, never knowing what the day will bring, and working with such a fantastic team and lovely customers.
Helen Charlton, Head of Marketing, Communications and Engagement Expand I joined Independent Lives in 2016 to head up a department that spans stakeholder engagement and communications, and includes membership, volunteering, social value reporting, and developing community-based user led projects and networks. At my previous employers, I led on conferences and exhibitions that brought together stakeholders from across health and social care to share best practice. The voice of people with lived experience of using drug and alcohol services, learning disability, and mental health services were at the forefront, and the content of the events were co-programmed through representation from across the sector. I have worked in arts and heritage, tourism and regeneration sectors on social and economic impact measurement, and outreach projects, have worked in commercial marketing agencies on communications and experiential marketing and at The Guardian in advertising so bring nearly twenty years of experience in marketing, communication and engagement to my current role. I strongly believe in human rights and love working in communications. I am co-chair of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) Marketing & Communications Network. Find me on LinkedIn.
Katherine Wynne, Director of Services Expand My work has always centered around supporting individuals with disabilities or complex health care needs. I first joined Independent Lives in 2005 and have worked in a variety of roles here including Personal Health Budget Lead, Integrated Services Manager and now Director of Services. My main passion is working in joint partnership with local authorities, NHS, individuals and communities to ensure everyone with a disability has the opportunity to achieve what is important to and for them and have the right support to do so. I have a level 5 diploma in leadership and management and attended Cambridge University social venture business school. I am a member of the Independent Living Strategy Group chaired by Baroness Jane Campbell. Follow Katherine on Twitter
Rebecca Smicle, Chief Executive Expand I joined Independent Lives in 2004 after starting my career supporting disabled children and adults in community settings. Following this I worked in Hounslow, West London, first supporting the conversion of a sheltered employment institute into a centre offering a better range of life options for local people. I then went on to support people into paid employment through the New Deal for Disabled People. My current role as Chief Executive gives me the ability to work with disabled people to develop and improve services and to create strategies to increase all citizens’ access to choice, control and to live independent lives. During my time at Independent Lives I have achieved a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management. I am a member of South East Network for Disabled People’s Organisations (SENDPO), and Supporting Community-Based Solutions. Read an interview with Rebecca talking about her role.
Tyne Perry, HR & Facilities Lead Expand I joined Independent Lives in 2013. During my time here I have taken my CIPD qualifications in Human Resources which has led me to my current role as HR & Facilities Lead. Prior to joining I spent a year travelling visiting China, South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and America. It was a fantastic experience meeting so many new people and learning about different cultures. I love my role as each day brings a different challenge enabling me to increase my knowledge on a daily basis.
Michael Barford, Director of Finance and Business Planning Expand I joined Independent Lives in January 2019. I am a CIMA-qualified accountant with many years of experience in the manufacturing, communications, health, education and charity sectors. The major part of my career has been spent in telecommunications, in senior finance and regulatory affairs roles. In recent years I have been consulting in communications regulation within Europe and further afield. I am enjoying learning more about our part of the charity sector and meeting the challenges we face to make a successful future for the organisation and the people using our services.