Tracey Thompson, pictured right, donated her mum a kidney, raised £2k in a cycle ride in memory of her friend and heads up our Project SEARCH helping youngsters with learning disabilites into employment. How amazing! Here's more from her in our latest Hello My Name Is.....

What is your position?  

Job Coach on Project SEARCH (an employability course for 18-24 year olds with learning difficulties, based at CRH)

Summarise your career background

Before I became a job coach on the Project SEARCH program in December 2018, I worked for over 20 years in children’s activity centres. I worked at Robinwood Activity centre in Todmorden  for around 16 years (not bad to say I only planned on staying of one year) I started as a group leader, taking primary school children on activities such as climbing, archery, canoeing, zip-wire and many other activities. I worked my way up to become the SENCO person for the company, which was so rewarding, helping young people with disabilities conquer all the activities, with the highlight been to get a young man who was in a wheelchair and had no legs to go down the zip-wire!
 

What is the highlight of your career so far?

There have been so many in the short time I have been here, but I think the highlight so far must be seeing the success of the program and helping several interns from last year’s course gain full time employment/apprenticeships.

Sum up your role in three words

Rewards, fun, challenging

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Growing up I always wanted to play football, and would love to have done that…..but because I am too old, female footballer was not an option when I was growing up.

Who is your hero/heroine and why?

I would have to say my Mum – she really is a fighter, and last year I donated a kidney to her, I had the easy end of the deal and she is so strong and brave for what she has been through.
 

When you are not at work, how do you relax?

When I am not at work I am probably either in the gym, watching Doncaster Rovers play (or attempt to) football or just relaxing at home with my partner and cat!
 

What is your favourite place?

San Francisco

What would people be surprised to know about you?

In 2018 I raised over £2000 for charity, by cycling over 200 miles from Todmorden to Swindon in memory of a friend.