Jamie Peters Shift Leader Expand Jamie has worked at Cherry Trees for nearly 18 years. She says "I love my job and I enjoy coming to work! I don’t think a lot of people can say that about their jobs! I feel privileged for parents to allow us to work with their amazing children who all just brighten up our days in one way or another. They have taught me so much over my time at Cherry Trees and I will forever be grateful for that. There is never a dull moment at Cherry Trees! All staff are so caring and want what’s best for our young people and work hard to achieve this and to help our children to achieve goals and independence in one way or another."
Steve Kocher Care Assistant Expand Steve joined us in January, 2005 as a Care Assistant. He's been a fantastic member of the care team, and was recently promoted to the role of Team Leader. When asked about his favourite part of the role, he said that he loved "seeing how the children develop and grow, knowing I've helped them get there". He also holds the rapport he's build with our children and parents close to his heart. He strongly feels Cherry Trees is the best place he's ever worked.
Sandra Cramp Senior Care Co-ordinator Expand I worked at Cherry Trees for 10 years up until 2007 as a senior and left to work and run the respite house for adults in Surrey County Council. I have now returned to work in the office at Cherry Trees as the Senior Care Coordinator. Most of my working life I have spent with either the Special Care Baby units or Palliative care on the community. In the latter years with adults and children with learning disabilities.
Paula D'Aoust PA to Head of Care & Bookings Co-ordinator Expand I started at Cherry Trees in 2015 as the PA to our Head of Care, since then I have come to co-ordinate the bookings for the children as well as the HR administration for the staff. Working at Cherry Trees is one of the most amazing, rewarding jobs I've ever had.
Emma Broatch Senior Care Assistant Expand Introduced to life at Cherry Trees during her placement year, Emma joined us part time on graduation from The University of Surrey in 2009. Going on to join us as a full time Carer, Emma today is now one of our Seniors with over a decade's worth of experience, as well as holding a Diploma Level 3 qualification from Central Sussex College and BSc Single Honours. Emma greatly enjoys her work here and is always a steady presence on shift. When asked about her favourite home cooked meal served at Cherry Trees, Macaroni cheese from our kitchen is top of her list. Outside of work Emma has travelled to two other continents and was one of the founding volunteers in the Burnley Football Club lead 'African Adventures' scheme, Ghana.
Graham Jones Senior Care Assistant Expand Graham joined Cherry Trees in January 2014 and has been with us six years rising from being a Care Assistant to now Senior Care Assistant. Joining Cherry Trees after a long career of more than 30 years working for blue chip international Investment Banks, up in the City of London, running global teams spanning London, Hong Kong, New York and India. "I really enjoy working with our amazing children and dedicated staff and am delighted to have exchanged the trading floor for the playroom floor for the latter years of my working life. In previous years I have dressed up as Father Christmas, handing out gifts in the dining room to the children." Graham, pictured here with Colleague Jill loves Christmas time at Cherry Trees.
Jon Webb Deputy Manager Expand Jon has known Cherry Trees for many years, joining in June 2006 before then re-joining in May 2008 again as a Senior Carer. His career working in Community Living Adult Care, as well as working in a special needs school in Surrey means he has a lot of experience working in the care sector. In July 2018 Jon stepped up as Deputy Managers at Cherry Trees whereby he concentrates on rotas, staffing and welcoming the new families that find us and apply for our help. " My favourite memory of Cherry Trees from the last decade..... It was our 2011 pantomime, put on and performed by all the staff at Ripley Court School. In my striped T-shirt I played Smee in our production of Peter Pan. Such good memories of being on stage, with all my colleagues on the night", says Jon!
Paula Rankin Head of Care Expand Already a familiar face to many of our families, and one of our longest serving staff members on the care team, Paula Rankin became Head of Care in 2018. Paula assumes her position after 30 years with the charity. "I am so pleased to still be here after 30 years and there is not a morning where I wake up and don’t want to come in. I love working with the children, it was all I ever wanted to do since I was 14. Here I am, all these years on in my career and enjoy seeing the children every day be the best they can be."
Steve warr Chef Expand Steve joined the team 4 years ago, with 20 years of cooking experience behind him. He loves to promote fresh home cooking with locally sourced ingredients (plus the occasional chocolate birthday cake). His delicious meals are often cited as the children's favourite part of coming to Cherry Trees.
Emily Wild Care Assistant Expand Emily joined the Cherry Trees team in 2018 as a part time member of staff when she was home from studying Performance Sportswear Design at Falmouth University. She fell in the love with Cherry Trees and became a full time member of staff when she finished her degree in 2019. She's continued working Saturday nights alongside her teacher training, which she started in 2021. Emily loves her job at Cherry Trees.
Nicole Pavlou Care Assistant Expand Nicole has been working at Cherry Trees since summer 2021 as a placement student studying psychology. Her role as a care assistant has rewarded her in many ways, and has made it clear for her that she wants to focus her career after university on children with disabilities.
Jill Tennant Night Carer Expand Jill has been working as a night carer at Cherry Trees since 1994. She enjoys working at Cherry Trees, meeting and getting to know the young people. She's also a big fan of gardening, cycle rides and love cats.
Sarah Palmer Care Assistant Expand Sarah joined Cherry Trees at the beginning of November, 2021. Working with children has always been a dream of hers, especially since having a child of her own. She has a background in childcare, working in children's soft plays and now part-time at her child's school. She enjoys taking on new tasks and opportunities and strives to be the best version of herself. "I'm extremely proud to be a part of the Cherry Trees family, the children and staff are just amazing."
Eloise Westwood Care Assistant Expand Eloise joined the Cherry Trees team in 2020 and has loved every moment since. Eloise has learned a lot in her time at Cherry Trees, one thing being a passion for learning Makaton- a skill which she endeavours to continue developing.
Mariah Ahmed Care Assistant Expand I have been a carer at Cherry Trees for two and a half years now and I must say that this is a very rewarding job. After completing my placement year at university, I decided to stay on as I loved working and building rapports with the children and families that we have at Cherry Trees.
Alice Wood Care Assistant Expand Alice has worked at Cherry Trees since 2005. She feels very privileged to have been part of so many children's lives and watched them grow up. Alice has cared for a multitude of children here at Cherry Trees. Alice's favourite thing about working at Cherry Trees s reading stories to the children. Alice's least favourite thing about working at Cherry Trees is the Baby Shark song. She has tried to explain to the children that this is not a song, but a torture device. This just makes them sing it to her more.