In the second of our new series, we turned to our incredible Administration team and sat down with Mary-Anne to find out about her journey to Jessie May and which Disney films top her favourites list!
Tell us a bit about your role at Jessie May
I’m a Care Team Administrator, I provide support to our Jessie May nurses. We sort out diarising their specialist visits, sending them out to the families and organising it in their own diaries so they know where they are on a day-to-day basis. I also help with sorting and organising any paperwork they may need.
I also help to provide additional support to the General Manager when she needs it.
Describe a standout day you’ve had since you’ve been at Jessie May
I echo Andy’s statement when he said every day is a standout day, but if I had to pick one I would have to say the first time I got to go to one of the Woodside events to meet the children and families we support.
Being able to meet them and put their faces to names was so special. I used to be a Nursery Nurse, and so I was able to get more involved with the children with a crafty task.
How do you think your colleagues would describe you?
I would definitely be that I’m a constant-snacker – always has food to hand, but willing to share!
But really I hope that my colleagues see me as someone who is always supportive, helpful and kind.
If you could live in any fictional place, where would it be?
Anywhere with a beach. I absolutely love the beach – it’s got a very calming effect, but also being able to take my children there brings back amazing memories of when I used to visit with my own parents.
Where is home for you?
Anywhere my girls are.
Can you tell us about a book/tv show/film that’s stuck with you?
We are huge Disney fans in our house. I absolutely love them, and I’m able to now share that love with my girls. The recent Disney film ‘Encanto’ was a real hit in our family, Cinderella is a staple, and I absolutely LOVE the Emperor’s New Groove.
Who was a role model/your biggest influence growing up?
I don’t think I had many role models growing up. Maybe the Spice Girls, they were big at the time I was growing up! Who didn’t want to be sporty spice!
Career-wise, I always wanted to grow up like my Dad, working in the bank or my Mum, working with science equipment. I used to go with them to work sometimes and just sit in the back watching them work. I had a little incident with the photocopier at the Bank once, but we won’t go into that!
But as I got older I realised my passion was working with kids so I became a nursery nurse instead and I’m so glad I did.
After the restrictions over the last 2 years, what’s something you’d like to do/achieve this year?
The most important thing to me is to be able to make some more memories with the girls, my family and my friends. I had quite a few friends of mine who had babies during lockdown, and we weren’t able to spend much time together (I missed out on so many cuddles!), and now they’re onto their second children – I’m determined not to miss out on moments with them.
We want to take the girls on holiday a little bit more this year, and we’ve already got one holiday planned in with my parents to Weymouth. The girls love just spending their time with family and friends and I’m sure we’ll hit a couple of those beaches I mentioned earlier while we’re there.
Finally, what would you like to say to the people who continue to support Jessie May year after year?
Just a really big thank you for their continued support, they’ve helped to keep us going when we thought it would be impossible and have allowed our incredible nurses to keep doing what they do best.
Stay tuned for the next entry in March, or to find out more about our Team today, head over to our Meet the Team page right here on our website.