I have been part of Anchor Care and Education for four and a half years, progressing from a part-time Young Person Development Support Worker to Training Manager and now Registered Manager of The Lodge. Before Anchor, I spent six years working with children in autism and emotional and behavioural difficulty settings, drawn to the work by wanting to be the kind of adult some young people may never have had — someone who listens, cares and helps them feel safe. The relationships I build with young people are what I enjoy most, and it's often the small moments, a smile, a shared activity, a hard-won achievement, that have the biggest impact.

What I value most about Anchor is its genuine focus on both young people and the staff who care for them. At The Lodge, we've created a warm, welcoming home with a close-knit team and a calm, positive environment where children feel valued and respected. My priority is making sure every young person feels safe, listened to and important, especially when settling into a new home, and I'm proud of the culture we've built and the impact it has. My motto is simple: "Be the adult you needed when you were younger."