To celebrate 25 years of service, we will be shining a spotlight on the people who make Carr Gomm. In the months ahead, we will share 25 #StaffVoices from across the organization.
Let us introduce Mavis Kelly, Operations Manager for Forth Valley. Hailing from Northern Ireland, Mavis has a background in Learning Disability Nursing. After building experience in clinical and community settings, Mavis was attracted to the voluntary sector.
“All I ever wanted to do was care for people.”
She joined Carr Gomm in Jan 2003 as Team Leader. Mavis was integral in the transition of patients from Royal Scottish National Hospital (RSNH), a local hospital in Larbert, to living in the community. By May of that same year, a new service had been established where a derelict piece of land was built from the ground up into a home for four people with complex care needs.
Mavis believes that just because someone doesn’t communicate in a traditional way, doesn’t mean they don’t have a voice. Through a person-centred ethos, Mavis and her team supported the housemates to exercise their choice and live life to the fullest. When Mavis saw people we support making friends and taking holidays abroad, she felt incredibly proud; “it’s everything I believe in and want for people”.
Mavis progressed to Service Manager and oversaw services in the Larbert and Falkirk area for 14 years. With her knowledge of the locality and community contacts, Mavis stepped up to the Operations Manager post for Forth Valley in 2017.
One of the hardest challenges for Mavis over the years has been the passing of people we support. The loss of someone you care for is always difficult. Mavis’ approach is to honour them by keeping their memory alive. That could be through planting a tree, setting up a summer seat or a special canvas.
Involvement in Forth Valley has been a passion project of Mavis’. Involvement supports people to share their views and enables active participation in all aspects of their care. She is inspired by the enthusiasm of the team, who are constantly looking for new and fun ways to engage people supported.
In Jan 2024, Mavis will step into retirement after 21 years with Carr Gomm and 50 years of overall service in health and social care.
We will be sad to see Mavis go, but we are incredibly thankful for all the work she has done to support people in Scotland.
