For the latest in our Humans of MacIntyre series, we're interviewing Anita Taylor, Best Practice Facilitator.
When did you start working at MacIntyre?
I started working for MacIntyre in Bedfordshire in 1995, left in 1998 and came back in October 2000. Nearly 24 years this time round!
What did you do before MacIntyre
That’s going back a bit but I worked in a restaurant and then at the Point Nightclub in Milton Keynes. I also worked in a solicitor’s office and in finance then came to MacIntyre. So a mixed bag really!
What roles have you had at MacIntyre
I began as a Residential Support Worker. I left for personal reasons but realised how much I missed MacIntyre and came back in 2000 to join one of MacIntyre's teams as a Learning Support Worker in Dunstable. I was promoted first to Senior Support Worker, then in 2003 to Frontline Manager.
My career continued as we relocated to Milton Keynes, where I played a role in the transformation into Central Milton Keynes Lifelong Learning Services and oversaw the transition of another provider to MacIntyre.
I then worked on secondment with a dual role as Supported Living Manager and Great Interactions Practice Development Facilitator (quite a mouthful!)
What do you do now?
I am a Best Practice Facilitator, leading and managing the MacIntyre Easy Read Creators and Advisors, as well as the MacIntyre Dancers. These staff members are all people who have a learning disability or autistic people.
I lead on Intensive Interaction and Makaton Signing. I am also focusing on employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, looking at how to simplify both external and internal employment forms and creating Easy Read for some employment forms processes to ensure they are more accessible.
What do you love most about your job?
I love my job! I love seeing people achieve things beyond their own expectations. It gives me such a sense of pride and happiness. My current role is very diverse, keeps me busy and engaged across various areas. I work out ways to support other people to get involved in a way that makes sense, helping build and enhance their skills and confidence.
I love being around people that make me smile and are like-minded, such as the teams I manage. They are simply exceptional, consistently demonstrating hard work and achieving so much.
What do you find challenging?
Time! It always seems there's not enough of it.
Needing to understanding the bigger picture is crucial. If I'm only hearing bits and pieces of information it can be disorienting and frustrating. I need that understanding of where things fit in order to do a good job.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I love my family and cherish moments spent with my two beautiful children and partner whenever we can be together. I have four pets: three cats and a dog. And I proudly consider my granddog and two grandcats to be part of my family!
The theatre holds a special place in my heart, particularly performances by Mathew Bourne and dancer Johannes Radebe, whose talents never fail to captivate me. Music and dance are passions of mine, and when I can, I help with backstage support for Starlight Dance and Musical Theatre.
Gardening brings me immense joy, especially nurturing roses propagated from existing stock. I am now trying other plants and currently have a Forsythia starting to grow. Fingers crossed!
I love Sci Fi – you will find me engrossed in shows like Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Primeval, with a particular fondness for anything featuring dragons. Favourite films are Tank Girl and Nightmare before Christmas.
Anything else you want to share?
I often come across as confident, but I can be very shy and quiet on the inside. I'm easy to talk to, and I'll always support you. I'm kind and loyal. Though I can come across as being a serious person, I have a playful side too! Growing up, I was called Sweet Anita, but not many people get to see my cheeky, fun side... only when you get to know me better.
Many thanks to Sweet Anita!
