‘What Makes a Great Support Worker?’: Meet Jenny and Louise
The fourth instalment of our ‘What Makes a Great Support Worker?’ series takes us to Warrington in the North West, to meet Jenny and her Support Worker Louise. Jenny is a fun-loving and incredibly sociable person, who always bumps into someone she knows when she’s out and about, from bus drivers to familiar faces she passes in the street. She enjoys being pampered, “I love getting my nails and hair done,” and also adores a shopping trip to browse clothes. Jenny finds a lot of joy in spending time with the people in her close circle, whether that’s the staff at her service, her family, or her best friend Corina, who lives in Liverpool. Louise tells us: “Jenny brings the party to the party,” whether that’s playing her favourite music and singing along or sharing the joy of cooking food for others.
Given that she’s such a social butterfly, it’s no surprise that Jenny was delighted to join in with the ‘What Makes a Great Support Worker?’ series. She is a wonderful host, giving visitors a personalised tour of Warrington and all of her recommendations for coffee and light bites to eat. It’s clear that Jenny has found a real joy in living at her service and created strong relationships with the staff there, especially Louise. The two of them share their insights into what makes a great support worker and how their lives have been positively impacted by support work below.
How long have you been at Creative Support?
Jenny: “I’ve lived here since 2022 and I love it. I think it’s amazing with all the staff here to support me when I’m going out. We get to do nice things, like going to the cinema and bowling, or we go on day trips to Liverpool or Manchester.”
Louise: “I came to Creative Support in 2008. I worked in the outreach services for 15 years, and I’ve been at this service with Jenny now for three years.”
What are some activities that you enjoy doing together?
Jenny: “Some of my favourite things to do with Louise are going food shopping, going out for a coffee, and going to the arcade. Louise always helps me to pick out good choices when we go food shopping.
I like when we go into town together and she gives me design ideas for when I get my nails done. Louise is a good support worker, she’s kind and funny. We have a laugh and we’ve got great banter. We go out for coffees and a light bite now and again at somewhere like the Spud Van.”
How do you like to be supported?
Jenny: “I like to be busy doing things to keep me motivated. Louise is a good support worker. She helps me carry my bags and makes sure I don’t forget my things when we go food shopping.
I like living here because I have my own space. At night time, I like putting my feet up and making a brew for myself. But I also love going bowling and to the arcades – I normally win loads of tickets. I even won a little rabbit toy and I gave it to one of the other people that live here.
Louise and I also go into town a lot. If we’re going for breakfast, I’ll suggest somewhere to go and she tells me ‘It’s your choice, we can go anywhere you want because it’s your support’. It’s my choice on the day, where we’re going.”
Louise: “She can make her own choices. Her support is her time”
How does support work help you?
Jenny: “Sometimes I can overthink and get worked up about things. If I’m having a bad day, my staff will encourage me to turn my day around and not let my day be ruined.”
What’s a highlight from your time together?
Louise: “I’m proud of how fun Jenny is to be around. She’s come a long way in the time she’s been at this service, through self-development and taking care of her flat. She’s really good at cooking, for both herself and staff.”
Jenny: “I’ve enjoyed going on trips to Manchester, Liverpool and Chester. I’ve made loads of friends and I go out with them when I can. I enjoy spending time with them. We normally go to the discos.
When I first came to the service, I didn’t know anyone here, so I was a bit nervous because it was all new to me.” Then when Louise first started here, she told me ‘I think we’re going to get along really well’ and I replied ‘I think we are too’. I told her I was a bit nervous and she said ‘Don’t be nervous’. We get on well and have bonded from there until now.”
Louise: “When I started working here, I also didn’t know anybody. Jenny helped me and showed me the ropes.”
What makes a good support worker?
Jenny: “They have good experience to share with others and say to you ‘If you do things this way, it will be better for you’. The best thing a support worker can be is honest with me.”
Louise: “A good support worker is someone who can guide, who listens, who has patience. You have to promote independence and have empathy. It’s so important to build trust – we have to trust the people we support, and they have to trust us. The best thing about being a support worker is that every day is different. You don’t know what’s going to happen throughout the day.”
What are your goals for the future?
Jenny: “In the future, my goal is to go on a big trip with Louise. I like going far away and seeing different cultures. Some of my favourite places I’ve been are Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Alton Towers. I like the fast rides.”
We’d like to say a big thank you to Jenny and Louise for sharing their story with us and showing us what great person centred support can look like. Watch the full interview and see what Jenny and Louise got up to on their day out in Warrington here.
