What Our Staff Say

Alistair Welsh, Service Manager, describes his experience at Quarriers:

"I joined Quarriers in January 1996 following several years in nursing.

I was attracted to Quarriers initially because of its commitment to a person-centred approach in providing services to adults with disabilities and the highly innovative, individualised services. I have very much enjoyed working within a voluntary organisation where all staff up to the Executive has experience of working very directly in services. As a result, the priorities of the organisation are always about the people it serves and the strategic direction reflects this.

Quarriers is an organisation committed to the development of staff and the role we all play in continuously improving services. I have had many opportunities to attend both internal and external training, which complements the role I am in. I began my career with Quarriers as a Deputy Project Manager, later became the Project Manager and have more recently been appointed as a Service Manager. I believe that part of the culture of the organisation should be and is about opportunities to develop in this way."

Pauline McGrillen, Project Manager - Calvay

"I started working with Quarriers in June 1997 as a part time support worker at the Cranhill Project. In 1999 I was promoted to Team Leader at the Calvay Project and in April 2003, I successfully gained promotion as a Project Manager.

I never would have thought that when I started working with Quarriers in 1997 that I would one day be a Project Manager, but that is one of the benefits of working for the Organisation - they have helped me to realise and develop my potential. Since I have been with Quarriers, I have been supported to complete an HNC in Social Care and have achieved the D32 And D33 Assessor Awards. I am currently studying for the BA/Dip in Social Work through Glasgow Caledonian University.

I enjoy the variety and diversity of my role. No two days are ever the same, and each day brings a new challenge. Since I have been with the organisation, I have been involved in staff recruitment, staff and service user training, de-registration of a service and now re-location of an existing service. I am currently involved in an exciting new initiative working with a group of staff and service users where we are looking at how we can involve the people we support in the recruitment and selection of our staff. The benefits of this will mean that people who directly use our services will have more involvement in the recruitment process."

Linda Daisley, Family Centre Worker, Larkfield Family Centre

"I was so impressed by the service that my 4 children and I received from Quarriers Larkfield Family Centre in Greenock that I decided to put my experience to good use by going to work for Quarriers.

I used the services of Quarriers for about 2 years before becoming a part time befriender. I've now been working as a full time member of staff for over 10 years and have completed an SVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education, and am now working towards an HNC in Social Care.

The staff at the Larkfield Family Centre have supported me though my education and provided me with the motivation to complete my training. If it wasn't for Quarriers and the staff at Larkfield, I wouldn't be in the position I am in today. I am able to pass on my knowledge and experience to other parents. Quarriers provides a very valuable service in Larkfield, and it is often a lifeline to many in the area."

Elaine Doyle, Team Leader at Bank Street, describes her experiences at Quarriers:

"Since leaving school, I have worked as an Insurance Clerk within several different insurance companies. Working with people with learning difficulties had always been something that interested me; however, at that stage in my life I had neither gained the relevant qualifications or experience, which would enable me to apply for permanent positions

In 1997, I took a chance and applied for the position of Relief Support Worker at Countryview. I was successful and given the opportunity to develop my skills. Eighteen months later, I applied for a part time position within a new development in Quarriers, the Merrybrook project.

Four months after taking up my placement there, I felt I had the practical experience needed. However, I now lacked a qualification. In August 1999 I began an HNC in Social Care at James Watt College on a day release basis. During this time, I moved to the adult sector within Quarriers for a full time position.

Three months after finishing college, I was promoted to a Team Leader within the Bank Street Project. Five months on, I am still enjoying my job and continuing to develop within the organisation. Opportunities for training are ongoing, so much so that I am now doing my SVQ Level III in Promoting Independence"

 

But perhaps the best description of working with us comes from one of our longest serving employees:

Rosemary Grant, Community Family Worker from the Larkfield Family Centre:

"In 1987 I was delighted to be appointed to my post at Larkfield and I have never been disappointed in my job - although there have been the usual ups and downs. Quarriers have supported us to develop a flexible and therefore responsive service for the families who use our centre.

Naturally, I have seen a few changes over 13 years and something, which has been important for us as a team, is the staff development and training. I am still happy in my job after all these years. Even at my age I feel I can develop and learn in the Quarriers culture. Quarriers as I know it today is showing that it values the opinion, expertise and contribution of the staff - this is probably the most important way forward. To feel valued means a great deal to those of us who care.