Each month we will be talking to a member of the Suffolk Family Carers team so you can get to know us and how we can help you. This month we have been talking to Reece Mills, HR and Payroll Assistant.
How long have you been in your role, and what, in a few words, does it involve?
I have worked for Suffolk Family Carers for 13 Months now and my role is to provide administrative support for the HR team, assisting with the day-to-day HR and payroll functions covering the employee life cycle.
I am also completing an Apprenticeship in HR Support with a top up for the CIPD Diploma in HR Practice.
What attracted you to work for the charity?
I have known about Suffolk Family Carers and the work we do for a while before applying. My motivations are the same in that it is all about the person, whatever the need.
What does a typical work day look like?
During my employment I have worked almost exclusively from home, having gone into lockdown about 5 weeks into me starting at Suffolk Family Carers, so my typical day starts with the long journey from my bedroom to my office (my spare room). My days can differ wildly depending what we have going on at Suffolk Family Carers. At the moment we are recruiting for a number of positions so recruitment is the focus. I am also busily inducting new members of staff and working through any staff queries.
I am also the Payroll Administrator so working through payroll enquiries and processing the monthly pay run also form part of my day.
What makes you passionate about the role of the carer?
I do not have any personal experience of being a carer, however most of my roles in previous organisations have been as an adviser for many different sectors, so I am aware of the needs of a carer and the cared for. Although my role in SFC is not front line and I have no direct contact with the carers, my role is look after the employee’s who look after the carers. This is a big motivator for me. I gain satisfaction from my role by supporting others, and supporting employee’s to get the best from themselves.
Being an apprentice has the added benefit that I can work whilst furthering my education and knowledge of the HR sector, meaning that I apply what I am learning to a “live” situation. Which both helps me and the organisation. I am a big advocate of learning and development and would encourage anyone to take on a new challenge. There is no age limit to being an apprentice!
Do you have any particularly exciting projects or initiatives you’re working on now?
As part of my apprenticeship I have a number of projects that I need to complete. A project that I am focusing on at the moment is the development of an employee handbook.
Outside of your Suffolk Family Carers world, how do you like to spend your time, and who with?
Given that we have been in lockdown, all my time is spent with my teenage daughter, my older daughter and my husband. I mainly like to escape by going on walks around my local area, I have discovered that my village is actually quite beautiful.
How do your family or colleagues describe you?
Oh this is a tough one, I would say smiley, I always try to see the best and that can be quite annoying to my teenager daughter.
Do you have any surprise skills which people may not know about you?
I wish I did! I do have small thumbs which means I can give a good neck massage…
What do you love most about living in Suffolk, and are there particular places you love to go?
I have found a new love of walking in my local area. I am usually a keen walker but tend to save this for trekking up mountains, however I recently discovered a love for walking around our lovely county and have put myself forward for a few walking challenges this summer.
Name three words which sum up the role of a carer:
Patient, Reliable, Empathetic.
If you need support with your caring role please call us on 01473 835477 or email hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org
