Having spent almost twenty years in Retail Management working in both the private and voluntary sectors, I transitioned my career to Welfare to Work after redundancy; working mainly on European Social Fund (ESF) contracts such as Warbarth and Cornwall Works plus.  

Since joining The Cornwall College Group in 2016, I’ve worked within the Advice and Guidance sector for the National Careers Service and latterly as a Project Co-ordinator for the “Ambitions” programme working with NEET cohorts.  

Working in such diverse, challenging and rewarding environments has given me lots of additional skills, especially when dealing with people and the many issues they face, I really like helping people and giving them as many opportunities as possible to improve their lives. 

In my role as Recruitment Executive for Unlocking Potential (UP), my main focus is to ensure that we attract the right Graduates to the right client vacancies as part of our business support programmes. I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that with the right people in place, individuals and businesses can both prosper. I’m also involved in making sure that any new UP staff receive a full induction programme and offer on-going support. 

I have a Psychology degree with I achieved with the Open University whilst working full time and consequently established some great time management skills, vital for my new role. 

How do you like to spend your time away from work? 

I very much enjoy spending time outside in the garden and I enjoy DIY especially renovation projects. I’ve recently bought an old camper van which I call Ruby and I thoroughly enjoy travelling around Cornwall in her, I just love the sense of freedom it gives me!   

I’m also a firm supporter of animal welfare and I occasionally foster for a local cat rescue charity, although as an animal lover I find it very hard to say no and now I have six feline friends which live with me. It seems I am a complete ‘foster fail’. They keep me both poor and sane at the same time.   

What inspires you? 

People who have developed resilience and when faced with all sorts of adversities have mastered a way to dig deep and still smile – alongside that the most obvious are my family and parents.  

What is your guilty pleasure? 

I’m not sure if it’s a guilty pleasure – but Christmas, I like the whole magic of the season, the festivities, the lights, sounds and getting together with loved ones. And yes, I’ll be the first one in the office with lights around the PC!