Caring Altogether on Romney Marsh

Hi,

I’ve been at CARM since April 2020 and this is my second stint as Manager here.

I’ve worked mainly in the finance and social care contracting fields, at Dungeness A and B Power Stations, Dover Harbour Board and Kent County Council Social Services. I have also worked at CARM before, and most recently I worked at John Lewis in the Ashford store as a Selling Partner.

I’ve really enjoyed all of my previous roles, and am always particularly happy when I am working in a productive team who are providing an excellent service. I therefore know that I’m going to enjoy my second stint at CARM.

My focus is to support the team to ensure that we continue to provide the much needed services across our operating area, develop new services and ensure that we have the funds to do so.

Hi, I’m Victoria.

I started as Development Officer in September 2019. It is an exciting role, full of challenges. Ensuring CARM can progress and continue its good work is at the heart of all I do.

The services that CARM provides are so valuable and needed across our community and they make a real difference to people’s lives every day. I will be making sure that message gets out to businesses and across social media, drumming up funding and support so our services can extend, grow and advance in the future.

Hello, I’m Kerry, I joined CARM in February 2022.

Loneliness is a big issue, so it is a privilege to work in such a rewarding role where you make a difference to people.

My role is to ensure volunteers have a good experience making a difference to our clients who enjoy their weekly visits from our volunteers making their lives and well-being much better.’

I’m Fiona.

I’ve worked in the voluntary sector since 1999 initially working for a Countywide disability charity. I am experienced in project management, fundraising, volunteer management, safeguarding and reminiscence. CARM is a great charity to be involved with. I love my work coordinating the reminiscence service, thanks to the efforts and support of a wonderful team of volunteers.

Together we enjoy encouraging and learning about the memories of all the lovely individuals that join us each week at the sessions, either talking or musical.

Hello, I’m Katie.

Our CARM Meeting Points are small social drop-ins where anyone who is feeling a little lonely or isolated can come along and expect to find a warm welcome, a cup of tea and a biscuit, and some friendly faces. CARM Meeting Points are run by our wonderful volunteers and my job as Meeting Point Coordinator is to support them to maintain and grow this valuable service.

I will attend Meeting Points myself on a regular basis, get to know the members, suggest some interesting speakers, activities or outings the groups might like to try, and support new people who might be nervous about attending the first time by having a chat beforehand, giving them information, or finding them a ‘buddy’ volunteer. We really are a friendly bunch, so do pop in and say hello.

Hiya I’m Zena,

I began working for CARM in April 2014 and absolutely love it .

As loneliness has become recognised by Government as a serious problem, CARM’s role within the community is never more important. As a befriending co-ordinator we aim to provide our clients with a volunteer visitor who improves their wellbeing.

We never forget how important our volunteers are; when we match a lonely person with one of our wonderful volunteers, we make a difference, CARM makes their life better. That’s why I love working here.

Hello I'm Sarah.

I started working for CARM in July 2021, after a year of lockdown. Loneliness has always been a problem but even more so during the pandemic. I joined at a busy and exciting time when meeting points were just re-opening and things were starting to get back to some kind of "normality", whatever that is nowadays. It's lovely working in a team knowing that our work really does make a difference to people's lives.