Dear Community,
Welcome to my first newsletter! I wanted to create a space to share updates about what I’m working on, as well as highlights from our amazing team. I hope this newsletter helps us stay connected and creates an open space to share updates, achievements, and ideas.
My role is wonderfully diverse. I’m the Head of the Continuous Improvement Team at Catalyst Care Group, which includes areas like quality and governance, safeguarding, and personalised therapies. I’m also the Nominated Individual for Leaf Complex Care and a proud member of the Senior Leadership Team.
A Few Words about Me
I’m a mum to two wonderful children, Phoebe and Rex, and we have a black Labrador named Holly who loves joining us for long beach walks. I’m a big fan of Christmas, festivals like Glastonbury, interior design, and finding moments for mindfulness. I believe in finding meaning in every activity, whether it’s at work or in life-it’s what keeps things purposeful and rewarding.
Why I Chose Career in Care
My dedication to care comes from my personal childhood experiences. My aunt struggled with her mental health throughout her life, and she was sanctioned under the Mental Health Act. I witnessed firsthand the challenges she faced when she needed additional support. I vividly remember visiting her in hospital, where she was often scared and upset. It broke my heart to see her in such a place, and those memories fueled my belief in the importance of providing compassionate and humanized care in the community. I reflect on this often and it motivates me to advocate for better, home-based support that combines specialist care, creative thinking, and positive risk-taking.
I always ask myself: What more can we do?
I chose a career in care because of my love for people and my deep need to help. I want to ensure that everyone, regardless of disability or diagnosis, is treated with dignity and respect, as equals.
The years I spent working hands-on with people were some of the most rewarding of my life. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from the people I supported. Now, I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can influence the quality of care we provide and guide the direction of our organization, informed by my years of experience.
Some of my favourite days are spent visiting the people we support, alongside our amazing support teams and people’s families, and asking: What more can we bring to improve?
A Lifelong Passion for Care
I’ve been working in the care sector since I was 14, starting as a volunteer at a local nursing home, supporting people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Once my volunteer hours were completed, I didn’t leave-I had found my calling! After finishing school a year later, I worked full-time until I turned 18.
At 18, I joined the National Autistic Society (NAS) as a support worker, marking the start of a 14-year journey with the organization. In this period, I led complex care services, supported transitions from secure hospitals into the community, and supported a range of teams.
I’ve always had a passion for delivering person-centred, high-quality care that prioritises the person above all else.
A Word about the Updates in the Mental Health Bill
The modernisation of the Mental Health Act is a much-needed step forward in how we support people with mental health challenges. These reforms reflect a deeper understanding of the need for more compassionate care and fair treatment in the health and care sector.
By introducing statutory care and treatment plans, ending the use of police and prison cells for people in mental health crises, and stopping the inappropriate detention of people with autism and learning disabilities, we are moving toward a system that values dignity and respect.
Importantly, the increased involvement of people, families, and carers in the process will ensure care is more personalized and effective, while also safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved. It’s a positive shift that aims to treat people with the humanity and care they truly deserve.
The Mental Health Bill, introduced on November 6, 2024, brings long-needed changes, particularly for people with autism and learning disabilities, addressing the outdated practices under the original Mental Health Act. It recognizes the importance of ensuring that people have a voice in their care, especially people who have historically been detained without adequate consideration of their rights or preferences.
Key updates include tailored care and treatment plans for each person, which will outline clear goals for their recovery and discharge. The Bill also strengthens the right for people to choose a representative to advocate for their needs while detained. Families and carers will have a more active role in decision-making, providing valuable insight into the person’s wishes, which can be crucial when someone is unable to voice their needs themselves.
This reform offers a more compassionate approach, ensuring people’s voices are heard, their needs are met, and that families and carers are involved in the journey toward better mental health.
The rising rates of detention under the Mental Health Act, along with racial disparities and poor experiences-especially for autistic people and people with learning disabilities-underscore the urgent need for reform. The Mental Health Bill addresses these challenges by limiting the detention of people with a learning disability or autism to 28 days, unless there is a co-occurring mental health condition.
These reforms strive to enhance dignity, respect, and choice, while addressing systemic inequalities and providing more compassionate, tailored support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
Supporting People with Positive-Risk Taking and Holistic Approach
Mitch finds joy in activities like bowling, park walks, museum visits, and swimming. Despite mobility challenges from ankle surgery and struggles with communication, his resilience shines through.
We took a structured and compassionate approach, working closely with his mum and other care professionals to understand his well-being, living environment, and the way of communication. With the support of our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) specialist and multidisciplinary therapy team and Mitch’s mum, we co-created a personalised care plan focused on enhancing Mitch’s well-being and reducing behaviours of concern, always keeping his unique needs at the heart of the process.
Our Care Guides and Resources
In health and social care, having the right resources at hand is essential for delivering the best possible support. That’s why we’ve developed a range of free, downloadable materials to assist commissioners, keyworkers, and health professionals in enhancing care services. These tools are designed to streamline care delivery, ensuring that those who need it most receive the right support, when they need it. Check our Resource Network https://catalystgrp.co.uk/resource/
By keeping the needs of the people we support at the heart of everything we do, we can create a more inclusive, person-centred system that values each person’s voice and well-being.
Let’s keep asking ourselves: What more can we bring to improve?
Together, through collaboration and a commitment to innovation, we can ensure that the care we provide continues to grow, adapt, and truly serve the people who need it most.
