We have been talking to Debbie Reeve, Project Manager (Adult Services).
How long have you been in your role, and what, in a few words, does it involve?
I have been a project manager since 2019 my role is to support the development of Adult Services within our Health and Social Care Services, concentrating on managing relationships, managing staff and devising new initiatives .
I am responsible for managing the Hospitals Service, Respite On Prescription, Neurological Care Breaks Scheme the Moving and handling service and more recently a new project working in partnership with the Suffolk Stroke Early Discharge Team supporting family carers who care for a stroke survivor.
What attracted you to work for the charity?
I took voluntary redundancy from my role as part of the senior team supporting individuals with dementia in a residential setting. I started to look for a new challenge and saw the advert for the hospital adviser at Ipswich hospital, after doing some research into the organisation I thought this would be a great opportunity to work for this charity, I really liked the ethos and values the charity stood for.
What does a typical work day look like?
There is no typical work day as such, as your planned work day can change quickly so every day is different, surprising, sometimes challenging but always rewarding.
What makes you passionate about the role of the carer?
Having supported family carers for the last nine years, I have the greatest respect for what they do and the challenges they face, I am passionate about championing family carers. I am very proud to work for an organisation which has family carers at the heart of what they do. Listening to family carers about what is important to them, influencing others in order to create opportunities for change. Enabling and empowering family carers to have a voice.
Do you have any particularly exciting projects or initiatives you’re working on now?
Over the past few months we have been working with new providers on updating how we can offer the moving and handling service. I am very excited to say we are trailing online group moving and handling sessions and face to face group moving and handling sessions, we will also continue to do face to face home visits
Outside of your Suffolk Family Carers world, how do you like to spend your time, and who with?
I live in a small village near Ipswich with my husband Brian. We have one daughter who works and lives in London so you will often see us on the London train going to visit her. I also enjoy travelling and meeting new people. I have recently visited Iceland where I ticked off an item on my bucket list – seeing the northern lights! I enjoy formula one an interest I share with my husband – attending the Monaco Grand Prix is also on the bucket list!
Name three words which sum up the role of a carer:
Supportive, Industrious, responsible
