Hi, I’m Kate. I’ve worked at developmentplus for 4 years, for the last 3 heading up the Bridging The Gap project. Prior to joining developmentplus I worked as an administrator on another reducing reoffending project called Release Lincs. When that project it left a huge gap in Lincoln and developmentplus could see not only how much a project like that needed but how it could grow and develop and sit alongside the other projects they ran. I was employed as an administrator but with a view of helping write and mould a reducing reoffending project under the unique and long standing developmentplus values. It took nearly a year to write and secure funding but eventually we were ready to start, we just needed a development worker. 

I never planned to apply for the role as I always felt I was underqualified, although I had plenty of experience with the participant group, I didn’t feel I had the skills of a development worker. My husband was the person who pushed me to apply, pointing out that no-one knew the project better and my passion and determination to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society wasn’t something you could learn, it came from within! Developmentplus recognised that and have supported me and my career ever since.

I’m happy to say that 3 years on and I am still excited to go to work everyday. The project has grown in strength and size and we are just about to take on a second development worker as well as increase our geographical coverage.

The people I support have all got a story to tell, none of them chose the life they currently lead, but they are choosing to make more positive choices and put negative experiences behind them. Listening to what they’ve been through and supporting them to overcome barriers is such an honour. To be part of someone’s journey, watch them grow and change and move on to better things is amazing!

Outside of work I’m married and have 3 children and 3 dogs who keep me very busy! We enjoy spending time as a family, seeing friends, socialising and are very much a football family, either playing or watching it seems to be a constant in our house!

My project experience has included working with young people at risk of exclusion from school, with prisoners, prison staff and families, LAC young people, running mentoring programmes and employability workshops.

I am a mentor as part of the business mentoring group at Priory Lincoln school and run my own courses for adults in wellbeing through journaling. I also run a regular class for home schooled children in practical science and design activities.

I have two children, one who is teaching the other still a student so can now spend more time outdoors in my garden and I have a bit of a thing for bushcraft and cooking on open fires.

I’ve been working with the homeless for a few years now. I helped to devise the Homelessness Report with developmentplus. I now co-ordinate the Compass Project at the Baptist Church which is an advocacy service supporting individuals to access key homeless provision in Lincoln. I’m an ex primary school teacher. I enjoy climbing and running. And it’s great to be back with developmentplus.

Hi I am Sue Oliver, I am the newest member of the team, but the oldest in age. I have worked for 26 years in banking, latterly as a training manager for Lloyds, and 14 years as a childminder.

I am married with four grown up children. My hobbies are gardening, sewing and walking.

I firstly joined the team as a volunteer which I found both challenging and rewarding, so when I was asked to join as a member of staff I jumped at the chance!