What is it like to work at CIC?

Case Studies

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  Meet Jill Lucock, CIC Assistant Director...

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  Jill Lucock oversees CIC’s Independent Living Services in North West England and is one of our longest serving employees. She says that Community Integrated Care has a special ethos that makes it a great place to work.

  “When I joined CIC in 1990, our charity had only been in existence for two years and we were really just starting out, but even then, I knew it had something special.

  “I was fired up to be working for an organisation that offered people with support and care needs the opportunity to live normal, happy lives in the community. At this time, many people with disabilities lived in institutional services which didn’t allow them to exercise a lot of choice or independence, but CIC had a then radical mission: to support them to live independently and pursue the things that made them happy.

  “Of course, over the years there have been many changes in the care sector and immeasurable progress has been made to give people greater inclusion and independence, and CIC has really played its part in this.

  “The reason I have worked here for so long is this: when you work for CIC – no matter what your job role, you are focussed on the same thing, the people we support. There is a fundamental respect across our organisation for our service users and a shared goal to offer them fuller, better lives. From 1990 to now, I am proud to say that CIC has always held high aspirations for the people we support and has always challenged the conventional view of what is possible.”

  Image: Jill (pictured left) with service users, David Tomlinson (centre) and Arlene Earle (right) at the National Care Awards in London, where Jill was a finalist in the Outstanding Contribution to Social Care catagory.

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  Meet Caroline Wilcock, HR Officer...

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  Caroline Wilcock is Human Resources Officer at CIC’s Support Services. Caroline provides HR advice and support to CIC’s Senior Care operational teams across the country…

  “I joined CIC back in 2009 looking for a new challenge,” says Caroline. “I had spent eight years working in the private sector, primarily in the financial services industry, and I really wanted to try something new.”

  “When I came across the job at CIC I was really attracted to the charity’s ethos, and was inspired by the thought of a role which had a wider social impact. Although moving from the finance industry to the social care sector was a big change, it definitely turned out to be the right move and I’ve not looked back since.”

  Indeed, Caroline quickly settled into her role, instantly becoming a well-respected and much-valued member of the team. So much so that in November 2009, only seven months after coming into post, Caroline won a top customer services award at our charity’s annual awards ceremony, in recognition of her exceptional approach to customer relations.

  Joanne Warren, the manager who nominated Caroline for the accolade, says: “As a manager, I really rely on the support of my colleagues in HR. As soon as Caroline joined CIC, she was quick to build trust and respect with all of her new colleagues, fostering a great working relationship with us. She was always there whenever we needed her and I was over the moon when I found out that she’d won the award! ”

  Image: Caroline pictured collecting her award at the CIC 'Putting Individuals First Awards' 2009.

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  Meet Vivienne Gormann, a Home Manager from Widnes...

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  Vivienne Gorman is a registered nurse and Home Manager at Glenwood in Widnes, Cheshire, a service that is home to twelve adults with learning and physical disabilities...

  “When I joined Glenwood in 2008, I was completely new to working with people with learning difficulties. I had spent my whole nursing career working on hospital wards, and then later, in senior care homes. After taking a career break to look after my children, I decided to use my skills and experience in a completely different setting, and applied for the post as manager at Glenwood.”

  “From day one, the job has definitely proved to be the challenge I was looking for. Not only am I responsible for ensuring the service meets all its regulatory, contractual and budgetary requirements, but importantly, it is my job to ensure that our 32 strong team are focused on and committed to delivering the best possible care and support to each of our residents.”

  “The best thing about my job has to be working as part of a close-knit team who share a common goal – one of social integration, inclusion and equality for each of the people we support. In spite of their individual challenges, our residents have the right to be part of their communities, to enjoy real choices and opportunities, and to lead full, active and independent lives. And this is what, as a team, we strive to deliver for our residents every single day.” 

  Note: Vivienne is pictured (2nd from left) with some of her team at Glenwood and CIC CEO, Neil Matthewman (centre).

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  Meet Michelle, Senior Support Worker from Cumbria...

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  Senior Support Worker, Michelle Earle, 24, from Cumbria, has not only followed in her mum’s footsteps to become a carer for CIC but also supports Elaine Bainbridge, a lady supported by her mum since Michelle was a child. She tells us what she finds so special about working for CIC…

  “I joined CIC when I was only 18 and initially started work at another service which was home to five people with learning difficulties,” says Michelle. “This was a great job and gave me lots of experience, but when the job working with Elaine came up I jumped at the chance.”

  “I have known Elaine since I was only 8 or 9, so she feels like family to me. I was excited at the thought of being part of her life, helping her become more independent, do the things she loves and generally, enjoy a great quality of life.”

  “Elaine lives in her own bungalow and because of her needs, she has one-to-one support. But she’s a very independent lady and is always on the go. If we’re not down at the Metro Centre on a shopping trip or taking a drive out to the countryside, we’ll be at the cinema or down at the bowling alley.”

  “It’s great knowing that as well as making sure Elaine is leading a full and happy life, I am also developing and  building a strong career in care. Since joining CIC I have done tons of training, been supported to complete my NVQ 2 in Social Care and had a promotion. Next, I plan on doing my NVQ 3 – I really feel like the sky’s the limit!”

  “Every day I think how fortunate I am to be able to do a job that I love, with people that I love. CIC is such a special place, because the people we support are so special, and as long as they are happy, I’m happy too.”

  Image: Michelle (pictured left) with Elaine.