Matthew Bell

Registered Manager – All Saints Vicarage 

The senior leadership isn’t just behind you, it’s beside you.

“I’ve been with Swanton for 15 years and I can honestly say I love it as much now, if not more, than when I first started out as a Support Worker all those years ago.

“Before I took the leap into social care, I was working in sports retail, Quiksilver to be precise – but have you tried selling wet suits in a former pit village, it’s not easy!

“Joking aside, the day I decided to make the move into social care is one I am always thankful for, because it has given me a career with so much meaning and purpose. My own brother has learning difficulties, so I know the challenges the People We Support face, and their families. I think this gives me a real sense of empathy and drive to always look to improve the service we provide, because the job is never ever finished.

“I started out as a Support Worker and all these years later I’m a Registered Manager who is about to start a Masters Degree in Social Work, sponsored by Swanton. None of this would have been achievable without working in an organisation that really does walk the talk when it comes to ethos, values and culture. Both the formal, and crucially the informal, support is second to none, I can’t praise the team enough.

“I am immensely proud to be a part of Swanton – here’s to the next 15 years!”

Rainer Gottschall

Support Worker

“We are all little gears in one big gear box, and that’s why it works.”

As I mark my ten years in social care I look back and think I only wished I’d moved into the sector earlier. You see I’m nearly 60, and this is my third career really, but it’s definitely the one that has been the most rewarding – by far.

I used to work in haulage, but after about 18 years I’d had enough so I went to a jobs fair and this chap said to me ‘what do you really want to do?’ I told him that I’d love to work with people with learning difficulties but had no experience. He pointed out the fact that I was a father of four, and had nine grandchildren, so I probably had plenty of the core skills!

I’ve learnt so much during my time with GRS and Swanton, I couldn’t wish to work with a better team of people – we all support and learn from one another.

And what does it take to make a great support worker? Well, you need empathy, compassion, patience, and the ability to remain calm. If you have these in your nature a career in social care will be very rewarding, and that’s what makes this so much more than just a job.

I think the secret to our success is we have a mix of ages and genders in our support team – with such a wide range of experiences we know that we can always do the best for the people we support.

As I approach 60, I’m starting to reduce my hours a little now, but I’m not done yet – I’d miss it too much!

Dhiraj Rijhwani

Regional Director – North of England 

“Swanton looks beyond experience to see the individual and their potential.”

My care career began as a Bank Support Worker, but within a few years, I’d worked my way up to Client Service Manager. I joined Swanton because they offered the opportunity to become the Registered Manager at Swanton Supported Living, a step up that’d have taken years in my previous company. Here I was able to get my registration and extend my education. Fast forward a few months, and I was the first Registered Manager to look after SSL and a residential service simultaneously – first Eastholme and then Seaham View.

Now I’m a Regional Director, a role I’ve always dreamed of getting. It’s an amazing job because I get to go into every service, observe the best practice and then share it with the rest of the region. We are changing people’s lives, and knowing the whole region is doing well makes me so happy.

I’d encourage people to look at roles at Swanton because we’re a growing, dynamic organisation that offers lots of opportunities. The senior team are not wary of trying new things and giving new talent a chance. We look beyond experience to see the individual and their potential. Swanton did that with me, and I’ve never looked back!

Emma Brownsill

Practice Development Partner

“Being a Support Worker could be the foundation for a great career!”

“I’ve never had to look elsewhere to further my career!”

I was the business administrator at a haulage company when I applied for the role that changed my life. I started at Swanton in an admin position, and after a year, I got invited to help out as a Support Worker on a trip to Florida for over 40 of the people we support. I was amazed to discover I was good at it – and it didn’t feel like work at all! From there, I moved onto the floor full-time, and I was a Team Leader within six months.

I became the Deputy Manager at Cartref Croeso in 2015 and moved into the Learning and Development team 18 months later. I love my job as I go to services across Wales to coach and mentor colleagues, and I’m also involved in developing and designing training. I’m so proud of the people I’ve trained who’ve grown in confidence and excelled.

I’ve never had to look elsewhere to further my career because Swanton has given me the opportunities to progress. Some people think being a Support Worker is a stop-gap, but it could be the foundation to building a great career with us. You just need to embrace the opportunities Swanton offers.

Trevor Betteridge

Maintenance Officer

“What makes this job is the people!”

I joined Swanton in 2021 because I was looking for a role where I could use my 30 years of experience every day. I’ve mastered many maintenance tasks during my career, and I think I can turn my hand to most things. So, I was looking for a role that’d keep me busy and interested – and there’s never a dull moment at Station House!

I’ve only been here a few months and already feel like part of the family. My approach is to involve the people we support – I ask for their input into decorating and let them help with fun jobs. I’ve transformed nearly every bedroom in the past eight months and even created a Harry Potter-inspired wallscape! Seeing the faces of the people we support when we reveal their new space to them is lovely.

Swanton is always happy to provide me with whatever I need to get my job done, so I can focus on keeping the place safe and well-maintained. For me, what makes this job is the people. It’s a lovely place to work, and people really look after each other. I’d encourage other people in my position to give it a go.

Paula Pasparuga

Registered Manager

“There’s a place for everyone at Swanton.”

I’d worked at Swanton previously, so when I re-joined in 2017 as the Unit Manager at Swanton House, I knew I’d found the role that worked for me. I’d been an oncology nurse, so it was a big transition to go into complex care, but it has turned out to be my passion. After working hard with my fellow Manager at Swanton House to get a ‘Good’ CQC rating, I moved to become the Registered Manager at Gryphon Place in 2020.

I love my job because it’s so varied. The people we support have a range of complex needs, so I encounter professionals from different disciplines, and I’ve learned a lot. It’s also great to discuss things and exchange opinions with nurses and managers. In our region, nurses will do shifts at different services to get to know each other, and we also do training together.

Swanton offers excellent support and training – if you need something, you will get it. For new people joining us, it’s good to know that you can upskill and develop your career. There’s a place for everyone at Swanton. You just need to be willing to grab those opportunities.

Trudy Bridges

Bank Support Worker

“The flexibility is great for arranging childcare.”

I’d been working in Next for seven years when I got the job as a Bank Support Worker at Maes Y Bryn. My best friend was already working at the service and knew I was ready for a new challenge, so she put me in touch with the manager. One of the best things about taking the job was that I could fit it around my family life, and I’ve stayed on the bank relief team ever since.

It’s been ten years since I started, and I still enjoy the job. My favourite part is doing activities with the people we support, like taking them horse riding, out into town and to do their favourite things. It’s important to me to know I’m making a difference in people’s lives – and seeing their smiles is lovely.

The flexibility of being a relief worker means I can fit my work around childcare. My husband used to work away, so it was great for me to pick my shifts so I could always be home with my kids when needs be. It’s a godsend when you are a working parent, so I’d encourage other people to see if it’s a good fit for them too.