‘It’s a woman’s world’: on International Women’s Day 2023, meet 8 women colleagues from across Lifeways!
8 March is International Women’s Day.
And this year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity. Today, we’re featuring stories from eight women colleagues from all across Lifeways – from the boardroom to the supported living services we run across the UK.
We’ll start with Andrea Kinkade, Lifeways Group’s Chief Executive Officer.
As well as being Lifeways’ first female CEO, Andrea feels a personal connection to International Women’s Day - as March 8 also happens to be her birthday!
Andrea Kinkade, Lifeways CEO:
‘You can do whatever you set your mind to’
Andrea, how do you feel about being Lifeways’ first female CEO?
It’s genuinely an honour. I hope it shows female colleagues the opportunities the sector does offer for career development and progression.
Could you tell us about an experience, personal or professional, that has made you who you are today?
I don’t come from a privileged background. In fact, I went to a dreadful school, married young and became a mum at a young age. All of that made me resilient and determined to teach my sons by example, that anything can be done - there is no excuse. As the only female in the house, I take my responsibility as a role model seriously. It’s important to understand each other’s differences. Never mistake kindness for weakness.
What does International Women’s Day mean for you?
Women are finally getting a better platform and more credibility in the workplace. There’s a lot more to be done - we still have a long way to go to move away from the things that stall women’s careers. From maternity leave to menopause, there are still a lot of hurdles for women to overcome to achieve true equality in the workplace. International Women’s Day also happens to fall on my birthday, which feels like a real privilege!
This year’s International Women’s Day is focusing on celebrating women who are forging change and women at work in workplaces where women are able to thrive. In your view, what makes Lifeways a place where women can succeed?
When I visit Lifeways services, I’m always so thrilled to see female carers engaging with the people we support and with each other. We have many female managers at service, area, regional and executive level, and I see their strength and confidence daily. I believe we have a truly supportive network, helping each other up, but being determined to set high standards of care delivery for ourselves. There’s lots more to do - it will be great to see more improvements over the coming months.
What advice or words of wisdom would you give women who would like to learn from your career and follow in your footsteps?
‘If you think it can’t be done, move out of the way of the person doing it’. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel inadequate or unworthy - you can do whatever you set your mind to. The question is, can you do it with kindness and integrity? I believe you can.
Estella Dick, Area Manager for West Yorkshire
‘Aim high - do not let anything deter your end goal’
Estella, please could you tell us about yourself and your career to date?
I have worked in care from the age of 17. I started on an apprenticeship, supporting older people with dementia and behaviours that challenge. I applied for university and commenced working with people with special educational needs - and I also applied for a support role with Lifeways.
I worked for Lifeways throughout my time at university, graduated with a 1st BA Hons in Youth and Community Care. I left Lifeways and went to work at a college but returned to Lifeways during the pandemic as a team leader. I then realised I could adapt my knowledge and apply my management experience to my roles with Lifeways. I have worked as a Flat Scheme Manager, Deputy Manager, overseen residential services and I am now an Area Manager in the West Yorkshire Area.
Could you tell us about an experience, personal or professional, that has made you who you are today?
Whilst managing an older person’s home for a previous employer, a staff member passed away quite suddenly. This affected not just me and the staff team, but also the older people.
This event shaped who I am as a manager today, in the sense that we must always look out for each other’s well-being. I would like to think I am approachable and caring, and I take into consideration the whole picture - the organisation, the individuals we support, and also our colleague teams.
What advice or words of wisdom would you give women who would like to learn from your career and follow in your footsteps?
As a mother of two young girls, my advice to them is always aim high - do not let anything deter your end goal.
Most importantly, enjoy what you are doing and always do it to the best of your ability. Never be afraid to admit if you do not know something. The healthcare sector is forever evolving and there is always something to learn.
In your view, what makes Lifeways a place where women can succeed?
It’s been reported that only 1.5% of Black employees hold senior roles in healthcare. With everything going on in the world, as a woman of colour working at Lifeways, I can say there have been no barriers to my career development. I have found if you are honest, have good work ethics and have integrity you will go far.
Magdalena Polziec, Accounts Payable Team Leader
‘Everything changes us even when we don’t realise it’
Magdalena, please could you tell us about yourself and your career to date?
I have been working for Lifeways since September 2016 as a Purchase Ledger Assistant. I was then given the opportunity to become a Purchase Ledger Team Leader.
Working for Lifeways has been challenging, which has made me able to handle multiple tasks daily and use a creative approach to problem solving.
I’m energetic and eager to learn new skills, which is why I enjoy working for Lifeways. The company has given me the drive to challenge myself daily, which I thrive on doing. I constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive towards. I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness.
Could you tell us about an experience, personal or professional, that has made you who you are today?
My life experiences have played a massive role in shaping my personality, thoughts, feelings, and my actions. They’ve pushed and motivated me to fight for what I want. We are given countless opportunities in our life. The chances we take and turn down is what shapes us to be the person that we are. We will always think back to the things that we had the chance to do or try - but the same time we will also think back to the ‘what if’s’ in our life. It’s this that keeps me going and directs me to continue my personal development.
In reality, everything changes us even when we don’t realise it. Life is always changing. We are always changing.
What advice or words of wisdom would you give women who would like to learn from your career and follow in your footsteps?
Be self-aware. Be honest with yourself and take time to know your strengths and weaknesses. The more self-aware you become, the more growth and opportunities you will see.
In your view, what makes Lifeways a place where women can succeed?
I feel in Lifeways there are equal roles for men and women, and we are always encouraged to get involved in more and gain more knowledge were possible.
Joanne Horn, Team Leader at Castlereagh Street, a Sunderland supported living service
It is a woman's world, let's be honest’
Joanne, please could you tell us about yourself and your career to date?
Before moving to Lifeways, I trained in ophthalmology, which focused on the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. After getting my degree, I worked at Sunderland Eye Infirmary in the glaucoma department, working there for twelve years.
Could you tell us about an experience, personal or professional, that has made you who you are today?
To cut a long story short, my son got diagnosed with autism when he was two years old. At the time, I didn’t really know much about mental health.
I just wanted more insight into autism, and to educate myself as a parent.
So I basically left my job to go and work for Lifeways, in order to learn more about supporting people with autism.
This means that I went from being a nurse to a support worker. However, I had a big family to run - and just couldn't manage on a full-time contract. So I dropped down to a part time role at Church View, a Lifeways supported living service that I first worked at when I joined the company.
Working with autistic individuals at Lifeways has educated and basically taught me how to be a better parent - and my husband, for that matter.
And I don't think I would have gotten as far on with parenting my autistic son if I hadn't worked at Lifeways. I've actually used some of the methods I’ve been trained with at Lifeways with my own son, such as teaching and employing coping and calming strategies.
What advice or words of wisdom would you give women who would like to learn from your career and follow in your footsteps?
It is a woman's world, let's be honest. There's no discrimination like there was years ago.
When it comes to career, never be afraid to do something that you're being told not to.
A fine example is that my husband's a civil engineer. Yet years and years ago, that was only a man's job, but now there's plenty of female engineers, too.
And it's exactly the same with our company, Lifeways, which promotes independence. And that means it can be a woman staff worker or a male staff worker promoting that independence.
In your view, what makes Lifeways a place where women can succeed?
Grab life by the hands. Don’t back down, and achieve everything you can.
Joanne Johnson, Team Leader at Oak House, a supported living service in Exeter
Caption: Joanne explains she wore the 80s fancy dress for a rock festival nearby!
‘Never doubt your ability’
Joanne, please could you tell us about yourself and your career to date?
I’m 53, and I’m married with three grown-up sons. Next month I will have completed 10 years at Lifeways, which has been an amazing journey.
I started with Lifeways as a support worker progressing to Team Leader. I have been in my current role for about 8.5 years.
Could you tell us about an experience, personal or professional, that has made you who you are today?
Becoming a mum made me realise that you need to show love, kindness, and compassion, and a willingness to keep learning and growing as they grow. It's the same in my job role at Lifeways, working with my staff team and people I support - and we grow together.
What advice or words of wisdom would you give women who would like to learn from your career and follow in your footsteps?
If there was one bit of advice I could give it would be to listen to advice, work hard, lead by example, and never doubt your ability. Then, you’ll reap the benefits of a happy staff team and even happier people we support.
In your view, what makes Lifeways a place where women can succeed?
Lifeways are active in encouraging a culture where everyone is empowered to support gender parity in the workplace.
Elizabeth Berry, Support Worker at Dunkirk Lane, a supported living service in Leyland
‘Do your best every day - the rewards are amazing’
Elizabeth, please could you tell us about yourself and your career to date?
I used to work for HMRC, in the compliance department. I was there for quite a few years. I then went to work in pensions, working for Independent Financial Advisors.
However, this all stopped when Covid hit.
I then decided I needed to do something more worthwhile – so I took a support role in end-of-life care.
In just one weekend I looked after four ladies, who all died of Covid.
Then I decided to work with people with autism, as I find the condition very interesting. I feel I relate very well to people who have this condition. That’s when I came to Lifeways.
Could you tell us about an experience, personal or professional, that has made you who you are today?
Looking back, I think nursing four ladies who had absolutely no one has had a profound effect on me.
I would go to visit them four times a day and one of them would cry when it was time for me to go - she was that lonely.
Now I try to say hello to people in the street or at least smile - it might be the only smile they get that day. That breaks my heart.
What advice or words of wisdom would you give women who would like to learn from your career and follow in your footsteps?
I always remember one of the people we support, who was not dealt the best hand in life - and I just needed to keep remembering that and to try to make them smile.
We spend more time with people we support than their own family members – and we need to remember that.
You will never find a more rewarding job than this one. Do your best every day - the rewards are amazing.
In your view, what makes Lifeways a place where women can succeed?
I think anyone can succeed at lifeways. My first manager here believed in me massively - and I’m so grateful for that. At the service where I work now, it’s all ladies who live there and work there. We rule!
Tracy Lillico, Support Worker at Emery Court, a supported living service in North Tyneside
‘When you see a smile on someone’s face after they have achieved something - it’s just amazing’
Tracy, please could you tell us about yourself and your career to date?
I am 49 years old and I have two amazing children, aged 26 and 23, whom I am super proud of. In my past employment I have had a range of jobs, including sales, customer service, factory work, catering, and shop work.
I decided to change career - and chose to become a support worker. My aim is to make a difference to someone’s day, and help people live their lives to the best of their ability.
Could you tell us about an experience, personal or professional, that has made you who you are today?
The reason I am who I am today is due to finding my dad deceased suddenly on the landing floor when I was 18 years old.
My mum remarried, and moved out of the family home with my sister within a year.
I was given the option to move with them. However, I wanted to gain my own independence at that stage. I grew up to become a mother to my amazing two children. As they got older, they needed me less.
I suppose it was wanting to feel needed, and to help people, that made me become a support worker.
What advice or words of wisdom would you give women who would like to learn from your career and follow in your footsteps?
The advice I would give is to go for it. I absolutely love my role. When you see a smile on someone’s face after they have achieved something - it’s just amazing.
The first time I supported a person we support to make a quiche and the concentration on his face, the pride he took in showing everyone that quiche, was just amazing.
Simple things like that can mean so much to the people we support - and it makes this job so worthwhile and satisfying.
In your view, what makes Lifeways a place where women can succeed?
Lifeways is a place where women can succeed. You support people and offer guidance, which is exactly what I did with my own children. They have grown up to become two very independent young adults.
Every day is different, but when I leave work at the end of my shift knowing I’ve made a difference to someone’s day, that’s what it’s all about.
I wish I had made this career change earlier in my life - instead of 2.5 years ago. But I’m here now and this is where I am staying.
Jessica March, Support Worker at Jersey Gardens, a supported living service in Mansfield
‘Always remember that if you have a bad day, tomorrow is a fresh new day’
Jessica, please could you tell us about yourself and your career to date?
I knew I wanted to be a carer when I was in school. When I left school, I did a diploma in health and social care in college. My first job was at a day centre, supporting people with Down’s syndrome. I then worked as a care assistant in a service for older people with dementia.
Since I moved to Lifeways, I now support people with more diverse age ranges - from people in their twenties up to their fifties. The people I support have learning disabilities and present behaviours that challenge, and require a lot of focused support.
Could you tell us about an experience, personal or professional, that has made you who you are today?
There's been a lot of times where I thought, yeah, this is what I want to do. I enjoy it, and I just like it. It's hard work sometimes, and there’s times where I’m ready to go home at the end of the day. But you keep going!
What advice or words of wisdom would you give women who would like to learn from your career and follow in your footsteps?
Be patient. Always remember that if you have a bad day, tomorrow is a fresh new day.
In your view, what makes Lifeways a place where women can succeed?
You really can succeed here. You can always work your way up. Right now, I’m exploring options to go higher and grow my career here at Lifeways, perhaps working as a Team Leader. The future is bright!