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A Social Enterprise providing community based support for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism and mental health in the South West

Meet the Senior Team

Meet the Senior Team

ANDY ROBINSON

FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


Andy is responsible for holding You First true to it's values and the Business Development Developer report to him. He says:

"I founded You First in February 2014 with two clear objectives:

-  To enable people with learning disabilities and/or autism to build and grow their lives in a way that is meaningful and makes sense to them

 To develop a workforce that feels supported, valued and provides quality support

This vision comes from a deep personal commitment to equality. Everyone has the right to equal life chances and You First works to empower people to make those choices for themselves.

It’s not about staff providing choice, it’s about people realising they have the right and the ability to make choices.

That’s empowerment. That’s powerful and transforming stuff! Focusing on ambition and aspiration You First has seen people taking control and transforming their lives and it is an absolute privilege to have played a role in so many people’s development and personal growth."

 


TREVOR HOLMES

CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER


Trevor oversees You First's finances as our Chief Financial Officer. He says:

"I am a Director of You First alongside Andy Robinson and my role is to look after the CIC’s finances.

You First is a Social Enterprise, a “not for private profit” organisation but we exist in a very real market place where the fiscal pressures are real, challenging and felt.

Careful financial management supports organisational growth and this in turn supports the realisation of the You First vision.

Whilst my head may be buried in spreadsheets and real time bookkeeping I do this to support You First to not only provide high quality support but also to drive up standards in social care more generally."


  

 

 

 


Stephen French

Business and Development Director


Stephen is You First's Business and Development Director and is responsible for Overseeing the Registered Managers and Office Team. He says:

"I am passionate about creating social change and driven to lead You First to being at the forefront of solution-based support.

I want to make the biggest possible social impact in the most innovative and effective way. You First Support Services has reaffirmed to me that true person-centred support can be achieved and thrive in our local communities.

Working collaboratively with the people we support, their families, support teams and operational staff, for a shared purpose and clear set of values, we can realise life aspirations and achieve everyday celebrations."

 

 

 

 

 


JADE HERBERT-HUTCHINSON

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS MANAGER


Jade comes to us having gained extensive experience working in a number of organisations, such as the National Autistic Society and Leonard Cheshire Homes, among others.

Jade says:

“My name is Jade Herbert-Hutchinson, I like to be called Jade. I will be joining You First in April 2023.

I have a little over 14yrs experience working within the Adult Health and Social Care Sector. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with individuals on the Autistic Spectrum and in more recent years, older people with a Dementia and nursing needs.

During my career I have enjoyed varying roles, from Support Worker, Registered Manager, Health Coordinator, Quality Manager and Operations Manager.

I am passionate about people receiving GOOD quality care and championing peoples rights. For me there is no greater achievement then enabling someone to achieve the goals they want in life.

I am person with dyslexia and ‘wear’ this with pride, #proud #Neurodiverse.

In joining You First Support, I am wanting to continue the work that truly puts YOU at the forefront of designing the support YOU want.”

 

 


BELINDA PARKER

Locality MANAGER


Belinda works for You First as a Locality Manager, overseeing some of the Direct Suppport that we provide. She says:

"I joined You First in October 2022 as a Locality Manager.

I had worked in a wide range of services, including residential homes, a special needs school, domiciliary care and supported living; and was looking for a new challenge with a company who cared about the people we support, but also the staff.

I enjoy working for You First because we are passionate about supporting people to live the life they choose, and ensuring the people we support get the best quality of support.

My favourite part of this role is building and maintaining relationships with the amazing people we support and our wonderful support workers."

 

 

 

 


GEORGE DANILEVICI

Locality Manager


George works as a Locality Manager overseeing the support of a number of different people. He says:

“I decided to join You First because of its strong core values and to be able to really help people and to be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people. As a famous saying goes:

“Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”

If you want to be independent, to be able to make decisions for yourself, to have control over your own life and to be part of society, to be able to fulfil your dreams and ideals, then come to You First where you will find the necessary support.

You will be helped to live a life full of joy and achievements!

Together with your family and friends, with a phenomenal team of professionals, we guarantee that all this can become real, not just a dream!”

 

 

 


Sharon Jones

Locality Manager


Sharon is joining You First as a Locality Manager. She Says:

"My name is Sharon Jones, I like to be called Sharon. I started with You First in November 2023.

I have been working in Health and Social Care for the past 25 years and have worked across Adult and Childrens services, in residential, supported living and Domiciliary settings.

I have been fortunate to work with people with Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, and those on the Autism spectrum, and more recently with people with complex health needs in their own homes.

During my career I have worked in various roles from Compliance Officer, Registered Manger, Service Manager and Operations Manager and have enjoyed all the challenges these roles have brought.

I am passionate about people receiving the right care and support to enable them to live fulfilled lives to the best of their abilities.

I believe that I am a good advocate for people to express their views and wishes when it comes to the care and support they need to achieve this.

My older sister who has a physical and learning disability lives with my partner and I and I have had the pleasure of watching her reach her potential but supporting her and giving her confidence to try new things and live her best life."

 

 


Lindsey Bradbury

Locality Manager


Lindsey is also joining us as a Locality Manager, she says:

“Hi, my name is Lindsey, I have joined You First November 23, I have been in health and social care for several years, I have experience with complex needs, autism, changing lives for the better.

Part of the attraction to work with You First was their person-centred approach, I am passionate about people receiving the right care and support to live their lives the they choose to live.

I believe that I am a good advocate for people to express their needs and wishes.”

 

 

 

 


 


STEPH GRIFFITHS

BUSINESS SUPPORT MANAGER


Steph joined You First following a career as a Medical Secretary, working at Frome Victoria Hospital, and then for many years at Yeovil District Hospital. Steph says:

“I enjoy working in the office at You First as it is rewarding to be part of a team that supports both our team members and the people we support and to feel that you are contributing to improving peoples lives.

It is very exciting that our Operations Team is growing, and it has been good to meet our new team members this week and I look forward to working with them all.”

 

 

 

 

 

 


JACK DONOVAN

OFFICE MANAGER


Jack is You First's Office Manager and works alongside Steph, dealing with much of the Administative side of the orginisation. He says:

"My name is Jack Donovan and I have been working for You First since 2016.

When I first joined the organisation, I was working as the Business Apprentice, though which I gained my level 2 and 3 qualifications in Business and Administration.

Since then I have been supporting the organisation in an administrative role.

I am often the first person you will hear when you ring into the office, and when I'm not on the phone I will be at someone else's desk, frowning as I try to fix their laptop.

As I mentioned above, a lot of what is do is IT related. This includes maintaining and fixing our laptops, as well as creating spreadsheets and looking after our communication systems.

I am also involved with supporting operations and the Operations Team.

Working for You First can be incredibly challenging, as our work is as complex as the people we support and employ, but that is also what I enjoy most about the role.

Often, I have to think on my feet, and work with my colleagues to resolve fast moving and intricate situations. I am lucky that I am part of a great team that can rally together to fix things."

 


Mimi French

Office and Administation Assistent


Mimi supports our administrative team on a part time basis, and creates a lots of our Social Media content. She says: 

"I am working as the Business Apprentice, and I am often the first person you will hear when you ring into the office.

I also am passionate about creating social media to promote social change and lead You First to be promoted and known.

You First Support Services has amazing values that (i agree with), working collaboratively with the people we support, their families, support teams and operational staff.

Working for a shared purpose and clear set of values, we can realise life aspirations and achieve everyday celebrations."

 

 

 


Joe Harris 

OFFICE AND ADMINISTATION ASSISTENT


Joe is joining our Administative team, and is supportin us with Data Collection and Compliance checking.