Rob Thomas is a frontline manager for MacIntyre in Greater Manchester, but he started seven years ago as a Relief worker.
Rob’s had two career streams in his life: one in social care, and one as a qualified joiner. Both of these involve support: one of people and one of buildings, so they’re not be as far apart as you might think.
When Rob moved from London to Manchester seven years ago, he started as a Relief Worker for Manchester City Council. He enjoyed the flexibility this gave him to continue with his joinery work at the same time.
Soon after he moved, the home in which he worked was taken over by MacIntyre. Part of the process involved staff meeting with representatives from MacIntyre to discuss the new contract. Rob remembers being impressed by the way in which those discussions focused on MacIntyre’s DNA and values, and everything he heard at those meetings warmed him towards MacIntyre.
At this point Rob’s joinery business was going a bit stale, so soon after the new contract started, Rob was promoted to Senior Support Worker, and worked across several MacIntyre homes in Greater Manchester. He was involved in our ground-breaking Homes Not Hospitals work, in which people who have been in secure hospital settings, often for many years, are able to live in their own homes and communities.
Rob’s MacIntyre journey has included roles as Deputy and now as Frontline Manager. He often thinks about his time as a Relief worker and the flexibility it gave him when he first moved to Manchester. He described the value of having a staff team with different roles, and how different perspectives help provide better support. In particular, Relief staff who work across several locations can bring fresh eyes and fresh ideas.
In his spare time, Rob enjoys getting outside in the fresh air. He plays hockey and football, enjoys going to gigs, gardening, and spending time with his young son.
