Building Better Somerset

Including first aid, food hygiene, health walk leaders, peer support mentors, basic English and maths, budgeting, routeway courses leading to further vocational qualifications

Sleeping and eating better, building confidence and resilience, managing anxiety, mindfulness, embracing neurodiversity, cooking on a budget, health walks, arts and crafts

Identifying local activities and voluntary work in your community. This might include things like refurbishing play and conservation areas, bushcraft and beach cleans

Using internet, emails, office, smart phones and watches, photography, social media and staying safe online

Planning your career pathway, work experience and paid work; help with CVs and mock interviews; job searching; introductions to local employers; support around disclosure (including disability, health or past convictions)

I have worked in the welfare to work sector for 17yrs, 11 of those with Pluss.

I’ve worked on various contracts, supported hundreds of people into work, education & training, helping to overcome barriers and achieve their dreams and goals in life.

I am very family orientated person with a huge family tree, with my late Grandma being one of 17! Some family traditions keep going like a nice roast dinner on a Sunday, Beef being my favourite. And anyone who knows me knows how much I love cooking it as well as eating it, especially with my homemade gravy.

One of my favourite films is ‘A life less ordinary’ very apt for me. As I love to travel in the UK and abroad, attending live music events. Trying to stay fit and healthy along the way, walking, swimming, and going to the Gym.

My role as a change coach means I can meet lots of people from all walks of life. I can be networking one day and chatting to an individual the next with complex barriers to employment. I am a people person; I enjoy meeting new people and offering advice and guidance to help them. My job satisfaction comes from seeing someone achieve however big or small that is.

From training as a hairdresser when I left school, to working in retail management and then welfare to work. Supporting people has always been at the heart of any job I’ve had. Having a son with Dyspraxia and being his advocate as well as a mother inspires me to have belief that people of all abilities should be able to achieve a career #NoOneLeftBehind.

To anyone thinking of coming onto the BBS project, I would say, ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. It’s a person-centred project to help empower you. Look at what you can achieve, and your change coach can guide and support you through the whole process.

Please do contact me directly at claire.ramsay@pluss.org.uk  or 07425 625796.

How you came to work for Pluss?

My background is in outdoor education, and I was the community coach on the previous project – Positive People.

Tell us about your role on BBS and what you love about it.

I support our participants and change coaches in networking with other groups and organising workshops to further help their growth.

What or who inspires you to do what you do?

Our fantastic team who are so compassionate, welcoming and have a rich wealth of experience!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming on to BBS?

Welcome! Give it a go! Try something new! Come and meet us!

Favourite food, film and place?

Give me a Mediterranean / Mexican fusion any day! Can’t beat Ace Ventura 1 & 2 and I feel very at home in Dorset specifically on the coast.

What do you do to feel good, and stay healthy and well?

Get outside! Moving my body in anyway shape or form! Getting away from traffic and going into any natural space!

Hi, I’m Julie and have only worked for Pluss for the last eighteen months but I absolutely love what I do.

I previously worked for Avon and Somerset Police starting as a Call Handler, in 2003, taking the 999 calls. I was then a Call Handling Supervisor and then moved on to being a Dispatcher, which amongst 100 others things meant despatching Police Officers over the radio. Both were very tough jobs and not much shocks me anymore. My final three years were spent as a Police Community Support Officer and again, I loved my job. And before all of this I worked with severely disabled children, both mentally and physically.

My role as a Change Coach enables me to assist people with making the most of their lives. My participants make their own decisions and work at their own pace, with a little help from me. I tell my friends that I get paid to make people happy. I’m a bit of a mum and I like to take people under my wing so, this is the perfect job for me. There is nothing better than seeing someone achieve their goals when, at the start of their journey they never thought it would be possible. This is what inspires me to do what I do.

If someone is thinking of joining BBS then DO IT! There is no pressure and as I said we work with you, at YOUR pace. Projects such as BBS have changed people lives, literally. I have many a story I could tell. All you need to do is send us a text or pick up the phone and then tell us how you are feeling. We can start with a cuppa and a chat and then you can decide if BBS is for you. But one thing I will say, life is for living and we could help you achieve your goals and aspirations. And its free, so you have nothing to lose but an awful lot to gain. Everyone needs a little help now and again. Its nothing to be fearful of.

I’m a great believer in the saying ‘Be Kind’ and that means being kind to yourself too. I try to look after myself but I do eat too much chocolate but I try and stay fit by walking with my little dog and I  have just started horse riding again with my granddaughter, Emelia. We all must look after ourselves and if you need a little help along the way, then just ask. I do, when I need to, and I am not ashamed to admit it.

Please do contact me directly at Julie.guyan@pluss.org.uk or 07341 002808

How you came to work for Pluss?

For 7 years I worked as Operations Manager at a small textile manufacturing business in Bristol where I first encountered Pluss. We worked with Pluss to source new staff members who were on the ‘Work Choice’ programme, as we sold into the disability market and wanted to provide working opportunities for people who were struggling to gain employment due to having a disability. Since then, I always wanted to work for Pluss, and after moving to Frome applied for a position on the BBO contract in 2022.

Tell us about your role on BBS and what you love about it.

I support and guide participants towards a career of their preference while confronting barriers that they might be facing. This might include preparing for and seeking work opportunities, finding appropriate courses, or finding them ongoing support services within their communities to address the barriers that they experience.

Knowing that the support that we offer can help to improve people’s lives is why I love the job. Even a simple conversation can make a big difference to someone’s self-belief, and often without realising, we are giving a lift to those participants.

What or who inspires you to do what you do?

The participants inspire me to do this job. Seeing the positive impact that this kind of programme can have on participants is inspiring. Seeing people who have had real struggles begin to develop hope and self-belief is such an incredible part of the job.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming on to BBS?

Often people who face barriers can become labelled as not able to work, and are given indefinite benefits package and are almost cast-aside. Programmes like BBS are designed to show those people that they too deserve a chance to work and that they are not forgotten, and people do care about them. With the right support and guidance, it is possible to achieve your ambitions. Those that are brave enough to engage with programmes like BBS are already taking a step to improving their lives.

Favourite food, film and place?

Curry – particularly a shashlik paneer and tarka dahl. Film – Harry Potter series. Place – a quiet little beach in Criccieth North Wales, not the most beautiful beach but is close to where my family live and it is such a good spot for the children to enjoy.

What do you do to feel good, and stay healthy and well?

I like to play tennis and table tennis whenever possible to keep fit and active. I have a young family and enjoy spending time with them when I am not working.

Please do contact me directly at Thomas.first@pluss.org.uk or 07548 096575

How you came to work for Pluss?

I’ve worked for Pluss since November 2021 when I joined the Positive People/BBO project as a Change Coach covering the Mendips and Taunton areas. My previous work experience has been in Adult Education, primarily in maths and English as a Tutor and Team Leader. I have also delivered Employability, Customer Service, IT and a variety of other different courses over the years! I have lived in Somerset for more than 10 years and I’m passionate about the local communities and helping to make a difference!

Tell us about your role on BBS and what you love about it.

Working as a Change Coach for BBS is a thoroughly rewarding and varied role. I really enjoy meeting new people and learning from their experiences and finding ways to help them to overcome any barriers they might have and support them in making positive steps in their lives. Working in the BBS team is also fantastic – we’re a small team but really supportive of one another. We take our jobs seriously but we know how to have a good time too!

What or who inspires you to do what you do?

I think every participant I’ve worked with on BBO and BBS so far has inspired me in one way or another. I’ve worked with people from all different backgrounds and walks of life and it has taught me a lot. I’m always inspired by the strength and resilience of so many participants I’ve worked with.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming on to BBS?

You’ve got nothing to lose and hopefully a lot to gain! We have a very friendly, relaxed approach to our appointments and will always aim to work with you at your pace. Our job is to help you to reach your goals, one step at a time – no matter how big or small they might be.

Favourite food, film and place?

Favourite food – pasta, chips, anything I can put cheese and gravy on!
Favourite film – The Sound of Music
Favourite place – Somerset, of course!

What do you do to feel good, and stay healthy and well?

I enjoy playing tennis. I’ve never been particularly motivated when it comes to the gym so this is my preferred form of exercise! It’s also a great opportunity to get out of the house and to socialise with other people which I enjoy.

Please do contact me directly at becky.whiting@pluss.org.uk or 07741 730004