WE ASKED KATY:

1. How long have you been at CALM?

My journey with CALM started as a full time member of the training team in January 2016. Previously, my role within a large local authority consisted of rolling out CALM Training across Social Care teams within Learning Disabilities, Residential Childcare, Fostering teams, Older Peoples services and Education within ASN provisions. So I guess I always think of my Journey starting with CALM Training in 2010! A whole 13 years ago ?

2. Tell us about your role at CALM?

My role at CALM has grown and evolved over the last 7 years. My current role within the CALM Team is Operations and Quality Lead. My day to day role involves supporting CALM using organisations with training queries, bookings, support for teams growing the CALM model within their organisations and exploring the best CALM model within a framework of best practice in their organisations. I also support new organisations who are exploring if CALM may be the best fit for their teams and those they support in their communities. My role involves marketing and a sales function planning of our yearly events and ensuring that we maintain the required training events to support the CALM community. Quality sits as a key CALM principles and I play a role in maintaining audits of our key office functions and the highest quality of pre and post procedures for our teams and the CALM using organisations.

3. What is your favourite part of your job?

My favourite part of my job is speaking, meeting and supporting like-minded people who share a passion for doing the very best we can to enhance and provide the best possible standard of care ?

4. What’s the hardest part about your job?

The hardest part of my job is giving all my tasks and responsibilities 100% all the time and at times making tricky decisions to ensure critical tasks are completed in a timely fashion.

5. What CALM value do you resonate with the most?

Passion is so important to me. I – and the whole CALM team – have great passion in what we do. Passion provides me with motivation, drive and focus for what we are all working towards in our shared goal of doing the right thing, in the best way, with the best people.

6. Where do you feel really in your element at work?

I am at my best and playing to my strengths when making connections with those already part of the CALM community, as well as with new CALM using orgs – I love helping them find the the right starting point for their CALM journey. I feel a great sense of achievement when we onboard a new organisation to our community!

7. If you had to choose a different career, what would it be?

Those that know me know I would love to run my own community coffee shop, Katy’s Kups! This would be a place for people in the community to connect, share, and bring family and friends to a warm, friendly, high quality coffee shop; not to mention there would be lots of cake and treats for humans and furry friends alike! ? 

8. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

Wow what a question! I had to think long and hard about this. My perfect day would be a relaxing spa day, a few treatments and dinner at our favourite Indian restraint with my husband then home to my gang; or perhaps a day lying on a beach on a tropical island!

9. What makes you laugh the most?

It is really bad and I can’t really control it but I have a very nervous laugh and sometimes when people fall over or jam their fingers etc. I start to laugh really uncontrollably – but it’s a nervous laugh – as soon as I know they are ok I get a fit of the giggles!

10. If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

A super power I would love to have is healing. Keeping us all well, healthy and safe for as long as possible for anyone in need, anywhere, anytime.

11. If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be and why?

Alan Carr for some fun and his best friend Adele who could sing to us and have a giggle. Maya Angelou who we could listen too all night for some wisdom, reflection, hope and inspiration, and my mum to join in as she is my best friend!

12. Do you have a favourite quote?

“Home is where the heart is”. My family is my everything to me – what I do every day is for them! My favourite place is at home with my 4 babies and husband. I am eternally grateful for what I have and always strive to do my very best for us all.

13. Is there anything else you’d like to share with the broader CALM community?

I guess for me being part of the CALM family/team is something I never take for granted. What we are and can achieve is so exciting. We work with and share the passion of so many amazing organisations. My team around me teach me something new every day. I am so lucky to have a job I love – and to work with the best people in and out of CALM! I can’t wait to see what the next 7/13 years ahead have for us all!

… Thanks Katy! Great getting to know you better!