After spending time focusing on caring for her children while they were small, Donna initially trained as a hairdresser, and later studied to progress from volunteering at her daughter's primary school to becoming a teaching assistant. Because of experiences within her family, Donna decided that she would like to become a mental health nurse, and took a job as medical receptionist to gain experience of the health service. Her plans were derailed by damage to her pancreas due to Type 1 Diabetes, which led to her needing a transplant. She was then unable to work for a period of time, but continued volunteering, as a Beaver Scout Leader, and with the All Golds Academy rugby league.
Donna never lost her desire to work in a caring capacity, and when she was well enough to return to paid work, she came to Bluebird Care as a Care Assistant in July 2013, She immediately showed a natural aptitude for care work, having empathy with customers and their families, and meticulous attention to detail.
Donna was promoted to part-time Support Supervisor after only a year, and became a full-time Supervisor not long after that. She has proven herself to be an asset to the office team. Due to her natural empathy, and supportive nature, she has now been given responsibility for recruitment of Care Assistants, from applications for employment through to successful completion of the 12 week probationary period, with ongoing support with study for qualifications, when needed.
Donna also has a special interest in dementia. She has already attended a 2-day training course in Managing Memory Together, and has qualified as a dementia trainer to deliver our in-house staff training. At the end of a 5-month course of study starting in January 2017, she will be officially recognised by Gloucestershire County Council as a Dementia Leader.