At the Helm | Aiding Independence Limited

Abbi Chant - House Leader

SIMON WOODGATE-

House Leader

KERRY STIRLING- House Leader

Amy Daniels-

House Manager

TERESA SMITH - Office Manager

About Me - Cheryl Packman

Hi My name is Cheryl Packman I’m the newest member of the
Management team. I started as a Support Worker, then House Leader,
and now am loving my role as Deputy Manager.

Before working at Aiding Independence my roles included Fostering, and then supporting and leading in 3 Children’s Homes. These were rewarding roles, but after 7 years felt it was time for change. I’d achieved all that I’d wanted, including my NVQ level 3. I didn’t want to continue in the care industry, but didn’t really know what I wanted to do next. I came across Aiding Independence by accident and in that mindset, I don’t know what made me apply. I probably gave my worse interview ever. Luckily for me, the Manager must have seen past that and said, that he would like me to attend their Drop In, so that I could meet some of the clients, and see how I felt then. He was perceptive. I was reluctant, but went along - and was instantly hooked! These people, these very kind, open people, had me there and then. I had arrived reluctant, to work in any care industry – to wanting to be employed, and part of the team instantly!

I have 2 grown up daughters, and a very patient husband. I love having a project or two on the go, planning and creating. There are always projects and activities going on at Aiding Independence, which allows me to bring out my creative side too. I am very proud to be part of this amazing organisation. My only wish is that I had found it sooner !!

JACOB THOMPSON -Digital manager

About Me – Sophie Thompson

Hello
My name is Sophie Thompson and I am extremely proud to introduce myself as joint Director and Co-Founder of Aiding Independence and after 15+ years as registered manager now reside in a more consultant/advisory role within Aiding Independence.

Since Aiding Independence inception I have been part of the creation and development of the service. During this time I have gained so many new skills, mainly from the people we support and the people we work alongside. Even after over 10 years of supporting adults with learning disabilities I have found there is still so much more to learn. I have now completed my Level 5 QCF Diploma in Leadership and Management to help develop my management skills.

After leaving school I gained my Social Care Level 3 Diploma, and started out supporting young people in local authority care in a residential setting. I worked my way up to manage a service for young offenders working closely with Social workers, probation services and criminal justice workers. Whilst working within the children and family sector of social care I went onto achieve a Higher Education Diploma in Social Care at University.
Despite extensive knowledge gained from working in this sector I have always felt personally there was somewhere else that I could make a direct difference to people’s lives. Since moving into the Adult social care sector and having people with learning disabilities part of my life I have never looked back. I genuinely feel privileged to be part of these people’s lives.
Since the beginning of Aiding Independence I have been responsible for the development and training of our support workers to work within our ‘Hands Off’ model of support. I am very passionate about our approach and have witnessed the success that positive independence training can have on individuals.
Training
Level 5 Diploma for Health and Social Care and Children and Young Person’s Services- Adult’s Management.
Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care (England)
K100 Understanding Health and Social Care
K113 Foundation for Social Work Practice
Safeguarding Adults Awareness
Making Supervision and Appraisal Work
BTEC National Diploma in Social Care

SAM PAICE- House Leader

About Me - BEN Doust

Hi my name is Benjamin Doust I am privileged to introduce myself as Joint Director of Aiding
Independence. I have contributed to the creative development of Aiding Independence for nearly 17
years and have enjoyed observing the organisation grow in to the successful provision it is today.
Aiding Independence has never lost sight of the primary objective of ensuring every individual is
supported to achieve their very best outcomes.
I have worked within a social care all of my adult life in various settings. Starting out supporting
young people with behaviour issues in a residential setting. I did this for many years taking on various
roles including deputy manager.

Following this I joined Aiding Independence, pretty much at its inception, and together with the team
have worked to create a successful hard working organisation.
I have been married for over 10 years and have 3 beautiful children whom I am very proud of.

I still lead a team in Thanet supporting 4 ladies with learning difficulties and have worked alongside
this team ever since the ladies begun their journey towards independence. This role has truly been
fulfilling and extremely rewarding, hence my intention is to continue to maintain this role in tandem
with the directorship of Aiding Independence

Aiding Independence Staff Team
As of November 2024 Aiding Independence currently employ OVER 50 members of staff, including

HOLLY TAYLOR- House Leader

Karen Hopkins - House Leader

JAMES DICKENS-

House Leader

About Me - Holly Leadbetter

Hello my name is Holly Leadbetter I have been the Registered Manager of Aiding Independence since January 2024.I started as a support worker with Aiding Independence in 2010 and fell in love with the work that we do in supporting our clients to be independent and living their best lives. From 2011-2015 I had a change of career and worked in customer services which helped me develop my organisational and administration skills as well as giving me the confidence to lead people. I came back home to Aiding Independence in 2016 and shortly afterwards took on the role of House Leader and completed my Level 3 QCF diploma in Social Care. I worked as House Leader in three of our supported living houses, and completed my level 5 QCF diploma in Leadership and Management. In 2021 I became Deputy Manager and have continued to develop my leadership skills, working closely with the team and the people we support to ensure we are providing a ‘hands-off’ approach and positive outcomes for all. I am a true believer in reflective practice and continuous development and improvement. The people we support inspire me every day and watching their independence skills and self-confidence develop is so rewarding, and a feeling you just don’t get anywhere else.