Alistair, Service manager

I joined Quarriers in 1996 from a nursing position in a long stay hospital for people with a learning disability. I couldn’t have had a better move taking up post as Depute Project Manager at the Homelife Project, Quarriers and Glasgow’s first supported living service for adults with a learning disability. This gave me a fantastic opportunity to develop my knowledge and understanding of the principles of supported living and role of person centred planning in providing truly individualised support. I was fortunate that Quarriers was an organisation very committed to these principles and attended a number of excellent training courses being given the chance to share this learning with the wider organisation.

I have remained with Quarriers for these 14 years because of the person centred culture that exists and the opportunities to develop and take on new challenges. I became Project Manager in 1998, Service Manager in 2000 and most recently Lead Manager Adult Disability in June 2009. During my career with Quarriers I feel I have had a very new and fresh challenge every 2-3 years in the role I have or the services I manage which is important in continuing to develop. My activities take me all over the country and I have always felt proud to represent Quarriers in many different networks, particularly where this involves the people that we support.

Arlene, Project Manager

I’m Arlene and I’m the Project Manager of Quarriers Youth Justice Intensive Support Service.  I have worked for Quarriers since January 2009, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far.  I was interested in working for Quarriers, firstly because of this project which is my main interest and passion but secondly because of the good reputation Quarriers has for valuing staff and generally for having sound values as an organisation.  Anyone I have ever spoken to about Quarriers has had only positive things to say about the organisation, so I felt proud to become part of that.

Prior to working with Quarriers I was completing my MSc in Forensic Psychology and was working in the learning disability field with adult offenders, including schedule 1 sex offenders. I worked in this field for four years before coming to Quarriers.  Once I completed my MSc I really wanted a new challenge and that’s when I saw the advert for the Youth Justice Project.  In the past few months I have undergone quite a lot of training which has been really great to equip me with the tools and skills I need to meet the challenges within my work.  I have undergone training in family solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing, understanding risk and reducing harm just to name a few.

So far working for Quarriers has exceeded my expectations, everyone is very positive, motivated and I have been made to feel very welcome and part of something very great.

Heather, Senior Administrator

I joined Quarriers just over 6 years ago and haven’t looked back!  I came from a varied background including 3.5 years as an Assistant Reception Manager at a large hotel and Assistant Stock Control Manager at Sainsbury’s, but I wanted a job with more regular hours and applied to Quarriers as an Administrator/Receptionist in Head Office.  I admit I had little knowledge of Quarriers before applying to work here, but on researching the organisation, I looked forward to being a part of such a diverse charity.  Working as part of the Operations Department gave me an immense learning ground to gain new skills, and the training I was offered was great.  Within my first year I had completed in-house training courses in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Minute taking, as well as learning many new skills within my team.  I’ve gone on to attend training on Epilepsy Awareness, Assertiveness Skills, Emergency First Aid and been involved in a pilot for the new Quarriers Online system.  Everyone I meet in Quarriers is supportive and wants to help you develop your career within Quarriers.

Two years ago I decided I wanted to further my career and gain a new formal qualification.  I decided to go to college part time two evenings a week to work towards an HNC in Administration and IT.  Quarriers supported me to do this both in terms of financial help and support with my studies when needed.  I gained my HNC this year and decided to apply for a Senior Administrator post with Quarriers in March.  I feel it’s my sound grounding with Quarriers that enabled me to be successful in gaining this post, and I have been happily working in the Fundraising Department since April.  I love the new challenges this post brings and the variety the job holds, and I’m glad I didn’t need to leave Quarriers to progress in my career.

I hope to stay with Quarriers for many years to come and continue to make a difference to the people we support.  I’ve stayed at Quarriers because I like my diverse role, the supportive culture here and the strong learning environment within the organisation.

Liam, Project Manager

Well I have been with Quarriers for approximately 11 years. I started out as a Support Worker with Glasgow SLI supporting 2 gentlemen with head injuries. I worked there for approximately 3 years and really enjoyed the diversity of the job and also supporting people in all aspects of their lives. I developed more person centred skills and supported PWS to college, social outing, family occasions and holidays. I also had good support and encouragement from my T.L who supported my development within the project and encouraged me to apply for a Team Leader post. I was fortunate to get a TL position in Dalmuir supporting four PWS in two locations.  The role was varied and I was able to transfer my person centred skills to supporting two staff teams and PWS in a group living situation.

I have completed a lot of training with Quarriers from PCP to SCIP and Maps and Paths training which as well as providing relevant knowledge has allowed me to meet other people to learn from them and transfer that into the work I do. I was T.L. in Dalmuir for 2 years and then had brief spells as acting PM at the Fred Martin project and NW Housing project before securing a PM job at the Dalmuir service about 2006/7 years ago. I moved over to Riverview in August 2009 as PM. The reason I have stayed with Quarriers is that they gave me my first job in Social Care which has turned into a career. Quarriers have supported me and provided opportunities for career development and diversity of work. The ethos of Quarriers is always to put the needs of the PWS first no matter how challenging that can be and that the job is still rewarding after all these years.

Lorraine, Project Manager

I have worked with Quarrier’s for the past 12½ years as a Project Manager (full-time) within East Dunbartonshire, Phase 1, supporting people with a learning disability.

I have always found Quarrier’s to be a very progressive and caring organisation and are receptive to new ideas and change

During this time I have been offered opportunities which have enabled me to gain experience and develop my skills in my chosen area of expertise.  I was given the chance to be involved in the development of two new services in East Dunbartonshire, Phase 2, on a temporary basis.  This position lasted for a period of two years and involved setting up services and engaging staff.  More recently I spent six weeks in Elgin, Morayshire under the supervision of Elaine Bradley, Service Manager.  This service entailed the launching of a Carers’ Centre based in the town centre providing support and training for carers within this area.  My role was primarily to acquaint the new staff with Quarriers’ systems, procedures and values.  I enjoyed this new challenge which gave me an insight into another area of care.

Training has always been available during my time with Quarriers’.  I have undertaken various internal courses, SVQ4 Management, Work Place Assessor’s Training and In-House Line Manager Development Programme.  As I commenced employment with Psychiatric and Learning Difficulties State Registered nursing qualifications I feel now would be a good time to consider training at a higher level.  I would hope that myself and Quarriers’ would benefit from such training.

I have stayed with the organisation this length of time as the job has provided variety and new challenges.  The post has changed dramatically with an increased level of responsibility and decision making.