Employee Stories
Meet Mary Chisholm, Care Services Manager - Belses Gardens, Glasgow
In my experience Blackwood have encouraged and promoted excellent training and development opportunities for staff. Since starting with the Association I have embarked on a period of study all at Cardonald College. I have gained a Higher National Certificate in Social Care, the Professional Development Award in Advanced Certificate in Supervising & Managing Personal Social Services and the Registered Managers Award and SVQ level IV, and I have recently completed a recognised COSCA Counselling Course. In September 2009 I was accepted by Queen Margaret University to undertake the HEC course in Person Centred Approaches. These courses not only provided me with a great deal of personal satisfaction but were of relevance to my current position. I feel that personal development is very important as it continues to help me reflect on my work practice and enhances my knowledge and self-awareness.
Meet Ann Milne, Housing Support Worker - Dundee and Angus
I have worked for Blackwood since 1995; I still clearly remember walking in the door at Blackwood Court as a Domestic. I was made very much at home and soon found myself chatting to the tenants like we were old friends. After 6 months I was asked if I would also work as a relief warden to help cover the scheme, I was terrified when first left in charge! In 2001 I then became a part time Sheltered Housing Officer to add to my role as domestic. I received training in IT, First Aid and other subjects and it was great to have a new sense of worth and I was doing a job I loved.
Things started to change again in 2003 with Supporting People and Housing Support, I was encouraged to make another change in my career and which was interesting as it was much more working one to one with tenants. I gave up my domestic post and concentrated on housing support and sheltered housing officer. I became more confident, speaking up at case conferences and undertook more training to help working one to one with the tenants. My service with Blackwood has changed through the years and I have enjoyed every minute of it. My colleagues have become my friends as well over the years and I am proud to work with Blackwood and watch it develop.
Meet Jane Clouston, Housing Officer - Head Office
It is always an exciting and rewarding time when new developments become available and you play a part in re-housing individual(s) desperately in need of suitable homes to meet their varying needs. I find my job both interesting and extremely challenging, in that no two days are ever the same. I very much enjoy working with individuals to resolve their various housing issues and I believe that Blackwood strives to provide a better and more responsive service for our tenants.
Meet Douglas Farmer, Estates Officer - Head Office
The area I cover is the east coast from Peebles in the Borders to Invergordon which means that I am on the road a lot. Luckily I enjoy seeing our lovely Scottish scenery. I find that both the tenants and Blackwood staff up north are always happy to see me and make me welcome as they are glad that someone from the Edinburgh office makes an effort to visit them.
I am proud to be part of Blackwood's vision of independent living for disabled people. Simple things like fitting a grab rail makes a big difference and makes life easier for a tenant which in turn makes me feel that it is all worth it.
Meet Wendy Russell, Corporate Services Manager - Head Office
This job is the best that I have ever had - making the switch from the Manufacturing to the Voluntary sector was a great move. I now have a role in a business that is trying to improve the quality of people's lives by improving their housing or personal care - which in itself is very rewarding. Blackwood are very flexible, which makes balancing home life and work life much easier. My six months probation passed very quickly and I'm happy to say I'm now a fully fledged member of Blackwood. Long may it continue!
