There are two extraordinary diary reminders for me this month: firstly a reminder from Gwenne McFazdean to write a Great Interactions blog and secondly a reminder from Shona Murray that Jenny Hunt, our Office Manager is retiring after a whopping 40 years! It struck me when I received the automated reminders earlier this week just how relevant it would be to deal with both at the same time. In a nutshell it is my view, and I am sure the view of others that Jenny Hunt captures “the MacIntyre Way” day in day out and in everything she does. Her interactions with everyone she comes into contact with are respectful, warm, kind and nurturing. I have never seen her judge people or become flustered. I would like to personally thank her for remaining calm and non-judgemental on the occasions (too many to own up to) when I have had cause to phone her from a layby with a damaged or broken down car!
Her job as office manager is far more involved and complex than most of us know and it is Jenny’s way to quietly get on and do her best. For many years her role has included the line management and mentorship of many people with a learning disability as they undertake work experience and complete vocational qualifications. Jenny and her team are instrumental in the phenomenal achievements of this group of people, they are truly aspirational and enthusiastic for people to progress. This has all been achieved with little fanfare and is executed by Jenny in a way that is “all part of the day job”.
Jenny is not one for the limelight so I am not quite sure how she will react to the celebrations over the next month. I am though confident of two things: firstly Jenny’s personality, and ability to interact and connect with people on equal, respectful and warm terms will have resulted in her forming many friendships over the years and I hope that these friendships endure as Jenny starts the next phase of her busy life with her grandchildren. Secondly role models like Jenny (and like others we read about in this blog) demonstrate so well that irrespective of our job role we all have a role to play in articulating, sharing and protecting MacIntyre’s DNA. This collective effort will ensure that MacIntyre remains a very special place to live, learn and work and for your contribution Jenny - Thank you!
Sarah Burslem
CEO, MacIntyre
