Heather and Fred are celebrating their 20 years with TASC
First of all congratulations to you both on 20 years of employment with our organisation!
How does it feel to have reached this milestone?
‘“It doesn’t feel like 20 years, it’s only when you look back and remember people and events that you get a sense of the time.
We both want to say that it has been really nice working for the organisation over the years,we’ve been really well looked after and more recently we have felt even more valued by getting free lunches and refreshments and great training.
What do you remember about your first day?
Heather “I started on a STEPS programme and I remember having to wear a white uniform similar to a nurses and felt out of place as none of the other staff had to wear one. I spoke to the manger who said that I didn’t need to wear it in future and I felt much better! I worked with a lady called Angela and she helped me get to know the place; my first activity was a craft session with Angela and the other members.”
What key moments do you remember over the years?
Heather & Fred “When we started the Centre was work based with wire bending to make coat hangers, sewing of peg bags and dried flower arranging”
Fred “I remember making lots of snowmen and pompoms at Christmas ...
“In the 1990’s we secured some European Social Fund money to change the centre away from work and into more of a life skills training centre, we started domestic training and some of the men who worked in the workshop didn’t take to sewing and housework too well!”
“We changed our name from ‘The Spastics Centre’ to ‘Scope on Teesside’”
In 2000 the cooperatives were launched and Fred and Heather were promoted to Training Enablers and along with three other people started training.
“The Candy bar had a few homes and a trolley; one was in the kiln room which was tiny!”
“Rooms were converted and doors put on cupboards where there had been curtains in the past”
Heather “I remember scrubbing the woodwork room floor to help turn it into a classroom, everything was second hand but we made it work”
What have been the highs and lows?
Heather and Fred “When we started there was no seat belts on the back seats of the minibus, you could smoke on the bus and in the centre and there were only ratchets to keep wheelchairs secure!”
“There have been times where the Centre looked like it might have to close and we had to take pay cuts”
“It’s always a low point when someone passes away and it’s even worse if they are young”
“There have also been many highs, Centre Holidays, Boccia success and staff pantos”
Fred “I agree and I think of special relationships with Members and staff, one Member who had never spoken to me used my name for the first time and that was so special”
Looking forward where do you see social care going and where does TASC fit into this? What would you like your role to be?
Fred & Heather “ We need to increase work placements and paid employment opportunities for Members and provision for people with complex needs and stronger links with the community.