The coming months promise to be an exciting time for the Direct Services Team. Rosie will have not only to learn a host of new names but also fill us all in on current activities. I (Pete Turner) started on 11th June after visiting Buddies over the past few weeks and I will soon be joined byMatt Wills and Paul Roden.

Matt joins us from Staffordshire County Council Social Services Directorate to take on the role of Development Worker for the South of the county. Matt will be based in Stafford from the outset and brings with him a deep understanding of Social Services protocols as well as a strong commitment to ensure that Buddies’ services are provided throughout the county.

Paul will be working from Buddies’ Hanley office as the Centre Services Worker, working mainly with those accessing services in the North of the county. Paul has worked extensively in the health care arena, which means he will be bringing with him valuable experience and motivation. Both Paul and Matt started work with Buddies on 2nd July.

We are all hoping to build on the exceptional work Rosie has continued to deliver under enormous pressure and we will be looking to use Rosie’s insight and experience to help us in the early months of our time with Buddies. So thank you to Rosie and the team of volunteers, who have maintained the services of Buddies with their immense commitment and professionalism.

We are hoping to continuously develop our services, as well as contribute to the decisions made with regard to changing statutory services. For this, we will need your insight as a service user, volunteer or just interested on-looker, so please let us know if you have any ideas.

Pete Turner
Direct Services Manager