2nd March 2026
Hello everyone, my name is Lacey, and I am a Lead Support Worker at Spring View.
Before I started working for Discovery, I had recently left college and had no experience in care. I was unsure what career I wanted to pursue, but I have always been a passionate and caring person. When I was in school, I helped care for an older family member. I enjoyed supporting them with their day-to-day tasks and spent a lot of time with them after school and on weekends. Sadly, they later moved into a care home, but I enjoyed visiting and seeing the activities they took part in. This experience made me curious about what it was really like to work in a care setting.
I am not the most confident person and don’t often put myself forward, but I decided to apply for a job at Spring View and was offered an interview. When I was told I had been given the position, I was so happy and couldn’t wait to start.
When I first began working at Spring View at the age of 17, I was at the very start of my professional journey and keen to learn. I invested time in completing my training thoroughly and building meaningful relationships with the people we support. I made the most of every opportunity to shadow experienced colleagues. By the time I turned 18, I had learnt so much from my manager and the wider team that I felt confident carrying out observations and lone working. The support I have received from the management team and my colleagues has shaped me into the support worker I am today.
Last September, my manager kindly nominated me for the Newcomer Award at the Discovery Inspiring People Awards in recognition of my emotional support for someone we care for. I noticed that the person was clearly feeling distressed, and although I wasn’t permitted to enter their room alone because I was 17, I took the initiative to approach my manager and ask her to join me so we could support them together. Winning the Newcomer Award was a real honour, and I felt genuinely proud that my actions had made a positive difference.
I was then nominated for the Newcomer Award at the Great British Care Awards. I attended the ceremony with my manager and other Discovery colleagues. It was a wonderful evening celebrating so many dedicated professionals, and I was delighted to receive a Highly Commended award.
In December, a Lead Support Worker post became available. I decided to apply, initially thinking it would just be a good experience. I was amazed when I was told I had been successful. Since becoming a Lead Support Worker, I have taken on new responsibilities, including Medication Lead, coaching new starters, assessing competency in medication and hoisting, and overseeing key teams. I have also recently passed my driving test. On the same day, my manager signed me off to drive the people we support in their vehicles, and since then, I have been able to support them on many lovely days out.
I am currently working towards my Level 2 Diploma and really enjoying developing my knowledge and skills. With my manager’s support, I have already been exposed to how the wider organisation operates. I am keen to learn more about Intensive Interaction, as I believe this approach can greatly improve the lives of the people we support at Spring View.
I have worked alongside occupational therapists to develop a PAL document outlining strategies to support engagement for one person we support. I have also collaborated with the physio team to improve mobility support, ensuring we provide the best possible care.
I am passionate about breaking down barriers in healthcare for people with learning disabilities. I strongly believe their voices should be heard and that they should have equal access to services. I will always advocate for the people we support and ensure the right professionals are involved to achieve the best outcomes. We have recently worked with the Learning Disability Screening Team to support someone to have a mammogram, and I am currently working with dieticians around Type 2 diabetes for two people I support.
I have learnt so much since starting at Spring View. I understand the importance of adapting my communication; my resilience has grown, and I am constantly looking for ways to improve my practice. My manager has been incredibly supportive and has played a key role in my development.
I am eager to progress within the organisation and gain experience in different settings. Ultimately, I would love to become a locality manager one day.
Knowing that I can make a positive difference to someone’s life motivates me every day. To me, this isn’t just a job – it is a vocation that I find deeply rewarding.