My role at Skylarks involves...having overall responsibility for a charity that aims to ensure children with additional needs thrive. I oversee all areas of the charity by providing leadership, strategic direction and operational management. I work to ensure the charity achieves its overall mission and objectives.
My greatest achievement to date is...leading our team at Skylarks during the pandemic. We rose to the occasion by quickly adapting our offer for our children and families, delivering vital services to more families than at any other point in the charity's 15-year history.
5 words to describe the team culture...progressive, dynamic, innovative, welcoming and inclusive.
What I love most about working here is...meeting new, inspiring children and families. I love listening to their stories and watching them grow and flourish as we provide relief, support and structure into their lives.
The most interesting project I'm working on at the moment is...expanding our reach and impact, specifically around our Access to Work programme. This is a new and innovative area of development for the charity as we put together a whole new element to our services to provide training and opportunities for young people to access the workplace. Our main aim is to help them achieve the independence that they are able to and to reach their full potential.
My biggest challenge right now is...delivering on the growing demand for our services while ensuring we stay true to the community in which we are rooted. The charity has grown significantly, by 130%, over the last four years. Overseeing a fast-growing charity requires clarity of vision, flexibility, excellent people skills and the confidence to say “no” occasionally!
My career ambitions include...driving the organisation to become the charity of choice for any child with an additional need who is looking to have fun, feel a sense of belonging or achieve their ambitions.
Advice for anyone looking to join us...you need strong drive and determination, an abundance of energy and a passion for people which will help take Skylarks to the next level.
Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can help shape and inspire a better future for children with disabilities and their families? Skylarks is recruiting for the following roles:
