This month, we welcomed Mikey Gavin to the Lisieux Trust team. He has joined us as a Deputy Supported Living Manager. Mikey brings over three years’ worth of care experience and knowledge, and we’re certainly looking forward to seeing some of the plans he has in store for the organisation.

We caught up with Mikey for a quick chat to learn a little bit more about him, his background, and what he has got planned in the pipeline.

Welcome to Lisieux Trust, Mikey! What will your new responsibilities include?

At the moment, I’m focussing on supporting our current Supported Living Manager, Brendan Griffith, all the tenants in supported living and all the supported living staff.

Where did you work before you joined us?

I had been working for another care provider for the last three years. I joined as a support worker, and was promoted to a team leader within 9 months. 11 months later, I was made a deputy manager.

That was my first role in the care industry. Before that, I was working in construction, which was completely different!

What drew you towards the world of learning disabilities and autism?

I have a nephew with autism; he helped me to learn a lot more about what autism is, and what people with autism need. When I first started working in the industry, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, though. My nephew has never really presented challenging behaviours, so that was something I had to learn to understand and manage.

What do you like most about working in the care industry?

The residents and tenants, definitely! They always know how to cheer me up. If I ever start a shift in a bad mood, I can always guarantee I’ll leave in a good mood.

What was your first impression of Lisieux Trust?

It’s like a family! Like one big family, where everyone supports each other. It’s great.

What has surprised you most about working at Lisieux Trust so far?

How close everyone is! I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s great how everyone knows each other; tenants and residents know each other, even though they live in different houses. There’s a good sense of community amongst everyone in the Trust.

I’ve also been really surprised by how long many of the staff have worked here. Some have been here for years and years, which really says a lot about the organisation!

What are you enjoying about your role so far?

I’m really enjoying just joining the environment. It’s a great place to be. I had my first sleep-in shift last

week, and it was really nice. It felt like I was just spending an evening with family.

What exciting plans have you got in the pipeline?

I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with revitalising our PBS (positive behaviour support). I have tonnes of experience with them, and think I can really help.

If you could give our residents and tenants one piece of wisdom, what would it be?

Keep doing what makes you happy!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m interested in sports, music, and all the typical things!

Lastly, what’s on your bucket list?

Make a bucket list! I don’t actually have one, but I think I should probably make one soon.