Meet the Team

Karen joined the team at Mid Cornwall Hub in 2016.  Karen has the role of our Service Director, she has over 28 years of experience in Health and Social Care and is a qualified Social Worker (Registered with Social Work England) with experience in the role of a Safeguarding Manager with her last role in the public sector as a Principle Social Worker. Her interests are varied, she enjoys music, reiki and gardening, she continues to use her knowledge to help others and enjoys the comfort and independence it brings them.

"At MCH we very much work from a Strengths based perspective and encourage others to fulfil their wishes and dreams, to take positive risks to enable them to become independent, have a voice and make choices for themselves."

Karen has been with MCH since January 2021, she started as a Support Worker and then moved into the role of Activities Co-ordinator. Karen has lots of experience of working with people who have disabilities/learning disabilities and does so with passion.  Karen’s role is a creative one, which allows the opportunity of enabling service users to have a voice in their chosen activity whether this is within centre or the wider community.  Karen enjoys her animals and the love of dogs, enjoying long walks with them, she also likes to go swimming to maintain her own wellbeing.

"To enable service users in having a choice, a safe environment to gain/learn new skills and to offer opportunities that they may not have previously been offered, or perhaps they have previously felt ‘judged’ that they would not be able to achieve.  At MCH we give everyone a chance, an opportunity to fulfil their wishes, goals and aspirations, they are equal."

Karen has a wealth of experience and before joining MCH in May 2022 as a support worker, which included running her own business.  She has excellent knowledge within the services of learning disability.  Her experience extends to working at Doubletrees, a school for children/young people with a learning disability, which enables students to achieve and prepare them for life outside of the education system. She also worked in a Residential setting supporting young adults with a learning/physical disability to live a fulfilling life.

‘Working at MCH enables me to continue to support those most vulnerable, to enable and encourage their individuality and to maintain their independence and wellbeing. As a team we are supportive with a listening ear that encourages and promotes individuals to challenge any form of discrimination and to know that this is not acceptable. Each and every one are entitled to live a life that is happy, calm and free from harm, one that we encourage’.

Kerry has recently joined the team here at MCH.  Kerry brings many transferrable skills from previous employment and she hopes to be able to use these skills she has developed to help others to  understand and achieve their goals however big or small. Kerry brings vibrant energy to the service bursting with enthusiasm.  On a personal level Kerry enjoys reading and being creative, she particularly enjoys digital art.

“I am happy to have had the opportunity to join the team and am getting to know all the wonderful people that attend our service.  My absolute aim is to actively support clients to achieve their goals and aspirations in life.  I am committed for all to have the  opportunity to have a voice and for their views to be listened to, without  prejudice.  Everyone deserves the right to have a voice, express how they are feeling, and have the right to be listened to without fear or judgement”.

Prior to joining the team at MCH I have had a long and  varied career in care, being in the sector for over 20 years. I love to build relationships with service users, carers and their families.  I do this by actively listening and making people feel at ease, using good humour and boundless enthusiasm to build a strong rapport.  I am very passionate about helping others, putting others needs first. I work hard to help people realise their own potential, developing self-esteem and to enable them to feel confident regarding decisions in their own abilities. In my spare time I enjoy music, watching sport, swimming and walking. I have a love for all animals and have a retired Greyhound called Lilly.

‘I love my role at MCH, I  particularly enjoy identifying their strengths whether this is through their active goals or day to day events.  At MCH we provide person centred activities which is inclusive for all whether that is engaging in community life or in centre’.

Dale is the Finance Director and has been with the organisation since it started in 2011. His interests outside of work are spending time with family, a keen DIYer and walking his Golden Retriever, Chancey!

"Enabling our clients to be confident within the wider community, to enable engagement and to feel inclusive without any barriers of disability.  Our aim at MCH is to promote life skills, to enable independence through personal choice and to make decisions based on their own thoughts and experiences."

Chiara is the Centre Manager who has worked at Mid Cornwall Hub since October 2017.  She has a background in children and young people and previously ran her own child-minding business, caring and nurturing others. Chiara decided to make a career change and is now qualified to Level 3 in Health & Social Care and is currently undertaking Level 4.  She has many interests which include taking long walks on the beach, baking and is passionate about health-and wellbeing.

"Our goal is to ensure individuals are listened to and goals are achieved by assisting all to have a voice and to be able to make choices in their day to day lives.  Opportunities for people who are often seen as marginalised groups who have so much to contribute."

Michelle joined MCH July 2021, she enjoys her role as a Support Worker and has good relationships with many of the users of our service.  Prior to joining our team Michelle worked as a 1:1 with an individual with complex needs.  She has a high degree of experience for those with Epilepsy and is trained to deal with all situations of seizures and First Aid.  Michelle brings experience to our team and strives for inclusion for all.  Her outside interests are gardening, particularly tending to her allotment, she also enjoys walks and tending to her horses that she shares with her daughter.

"Working with people who have disability/learning disabilities gives me fulfilment that I can help to make a difference to what really matters to them, to listen to them and help them achieve their life goals.  I enjoy the engagement with each and every person that uses our service, everyone has something to bring and share with the group."

Nikkitta joined our team in April 2023 as a Support Worker. She brings experience of working with individuals diagnosed with a learning disability and has a great sense of humour.  She is passionate about her family, when she is not working she is caring for her two young boys.  Nikkitta has previously worked in a day opportunities centre and engages well and brings lots of great ideas to the mix.  She is currently learning to drive and is hoping to pass her test in the very near future.

"I enjoy talking to clients to understand or identify their goals and aspirations.  Service users at MCH all have the opportunity to succeed in their preferred pathway with support and guidance when needed, some may choose to try volunteer work or to attend college to continue with areas of interest, whatever the path, we listen, support and offer guidance when needed."

Paul has recently joined the wonderful team at MCH, he brings a  wealth of experience in care and support having worked for a number of  years in day opportunity services for adults.  He engages well with all attendees to our service by  promoting their independence and well-being, particularly offering a  strengths approach to validate personal choice which in turn will enable  individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations whether that is by  engaging within community life or in centre.  Outside of work Paul is  usually kept busy with one lively dog and he quotes, ‘two demanding  cats’!

‘I have only been with MCH for a short while, but I am  absolutely delighted to be doing the job I love.  My aim is to support  all individuals to successfully manage their day-to-day goals and  achievements in life'

I am pleased to have joined the team at MCH as a Catering Lead.  I have a wealth of catering experience over many years.  I initially qualified as a Chef but then progressed to managing  kitchens. Working and  interacting with all the individuals who use our service is something  that is new to me but one that I have found to be very rewarding.  I  have found those that have offered their help and support as an act of  kindness, they have been really helpful. I believe this to be a two-way  process, where we can help and learn from each other, have interesting  conversations which in turn gives them the life skills and confidence to  be able to do this outside of MCH. Outside of work I have a number of hobbies, I enjoy walking our rescue dog, called Ted, reading (any kind of books) and  running (this is usually after Ted!).

I enjoy the ethos  of MCH which is to promote the strengths, independence and wellbeing of  all who attend our service.  I am a great believer in the power of others to strengthen their own thoughts, wishes and dreams to achieve no matter of age, disability etc.