- Anything crafty, like card making, sewing and transforming toilet rolls
- Listening to podcasts on parenting teenagers
- Cooking
- Gardening and growing my own vegetables
- Building communities
- Cleaning and decluttering
Bernadette Menezes-Dias
Norbury, London,Surrey
Summary
Professional with diverse experience in family support, administration, homeless support, and childcare. Committed to delivering high-quality results with precision. Continuous personal development through training and new experiences drives growth.
Overview
1
1
Certification
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Drop in volunteer
Trussell Foundation
Lambeth
01.2025 - Current
- Conducted brief solution-focused counselling sessions with clients to address their immediate concerns.
- Listened attentively to attendees, providing a supportive space for sharing concerns.
- Seeking out local services for attendees, to access further support.
- Welcomed regular attendees, fostering a positive environment.
- Prepared and served hot meals, ensuring attendees received nourishing food.
- Setting up the food bank resources for attendees to collect items
Assistant Matron
Whitgift Foundation
Croydon, Surrey
08.2025 - 07.2026
- Managed diary and scheduled meetings for senior management, facilitating efficient time management.
- Assisted in the implementation of new office procedures, improving overall efficiency and productivity.
- Supported the development and maintenance of a positive work environment, contributing to high staff morale.
- Handled confidential documents with discretion, adhering to data protection policies.
- Provided administrative support during audits, compiling necessary documentation and reports.
- Maintained filing systems, both electronic and paper-based, ensuring quick retrieval of documents.
- Maintained organised and updated file systems for easy staff use.
- Entered and verified computer data to create reliable records.
- Monitored office supplies and reordered stock to maintain optimal levels.
- Recorded stock movement for up-to-date inventory documentation.
- Photocopied and printed documents for office team members.
- Greeted visitors and appropriately directed to designated areas.
- Sorted incoming mail by department and urgency for efficient distribution. and distributed incoming mail and communications.
- Booked client appointments using online scheduling tools to optimise time management. client appointments via online systems and maintained master calendar.
- Calculated rates, prepared bills and accepted payments.
Achievement Mentor
Croydon College
Croydon
09.2023 - 07.2024
- Designed individualised mentoring plans to boost student engagement and academic performance.
- Conducted workshops and seminars to foster skills development and support academic achievement.
- Collaborated with academic staff to monitor and support student progress.
- Monitored mentee progress through regular meetings, providing constructive feedback and encouragement.
- Provided ongoing feedback and encouragement to empower students in their educational journey.
- As an Achievement Mentor at Croydon College, the role focuses on guiding students to reach their academic and personal goals. This involves identifying individual strengths and areas for development, while providing strategies and support tailored to each student's needs. Building strong relationships with students is essential to foster an environment where they feel encouraged to succeed.
- Coordinated networking events to connect mentees with industry professionals, enhancing their career opportunities.
- Created and updated confidential student and employee files, upholding data security and privacy protocols to reduce risks.
Early Years Educator
Rainbow Childminding Services
Croydon
01.2007 - 05.2022
- Developed a comprehensive curriculum that promoted children's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
- Implemented creative and engaging activities that encouraged children to explore and develop new skills
- Designed and executed individualised learning plans for children with special needs, promoting inclusivity and ensuring each child felt valued.
- Carried out an assessment and observation of each new child, so that together with their parents, we could plan their next steps, and help them to develop their skills.
- Encouraged children to think critically and engage in new activities.
- Created a safe, nurturing environment for children aged 4 months to 12 years, fostering trust and a sense of belonging.
- Forged positive, trusting relationships with children, parents and coworkers.
- Collaborated with parents and guardians, providing regular updates on child development and well-being.
- Transparent honest communication and working in partnership with all parents.
- Maintained accurate records of children's progress, attendance, and any incidents.
- Daily diaries sent to parents about their child's activities.
- Administered first aid and cared for children with minor illnesses, prioritising well-being.
- Purchased resources that reflected the children's interests and cultural background.
- Supported families in times of crisis, by offering respite for the children, to give parents a break.
- Advised parents about financial matters, to ensure they were accessing all the government support they were entitled to.
- Created letters to support parents applications to student finance and various other grants.
- Advocated on behalf of parents in relation to council matters and housing issues.
- Coordinated meetings with other professionals to provide families with a comprehensive package of care.
Family Support Co-ordinator
Kensington Childrens Centre
Croydon
11.2006 - 02.2007
- Conducted initial assessments of family needs to identify areas for support. of needs, to ensure families were being supported holistically.
- Successfully managed multiple children of varying ages, providing a safe and comfortable environment for them to learn and play
- Greeted and oriented new families to available services and resources in the group. to the group, making them aware of the services available.
- Conducted initial assessments of family needs to identify areas for support. of needs, to ensure families were being supported holistically.
- Worked with professionals including health visitors, school nurse and teachers, mental health support workers, to create a package of support for families, who were struggling with various aspects of their life.
- Attended professional meetings to discuss the family and support that was needed.
- Worked with professionals including health visitors, school nurse and teachers, mental health support workers, to create a package of support for families,C who were struggling with various aspects of their life.
- Carried out daily risk assessments, to ensure the facilities being offered were safe and any dangers were dealt with and removed.
Family Support Coordinator
Well Family Services
11.2000 - 05.2005
- In the role of Family Support Coordinator at Well Family Services, responsibilities included providing comprehensive support to families in need, ensuring they had access to essential resources and services. This position required a deep understanding of family dynamics and the ability to create tailored intervention plans that addressed specific challenges faced by families. Collaboration with various agencies and stakeholders was vital to facilitate effective support and advocacy for families.
- Designed and implemented support programs that effectively met the unique needs of families.
- Coordinated with multiple service providers to ensure families received holistic support.
- Advocated for families' rights within community services, influencing policy changes to better meet their needs.
- Maintained comprehensive records of family interactions and progress to track outcomes.
Education
BA Hons - Social Sciences and Psychology
University Of Westminster
07-2000
Level 2 - Counselling Skills
Place2Be
06-2024
Advanced Diploma - Childcare and Education
Croydon College
Croydon04-2003
02-2002
Brief Solution Focused Counselling -
Brief Solution Counselling College
CroydonSkills
- Child Welfare
- Child Development Strategies
- Family Support Documentation
- Community Advocacy
- Mentoring techniques
- Critical Thinking
- Customer Service
- Client management
- Appointment management
- Data management
- Time management
- Team collaboration
- Active listening
- Communication skills
- Communication
- Creativity
- Customer service
Certification
- [Type] Level 2 counselling certificate in children's counselling
- [Area of certification] Place2Be
Interests
Goals
- To go on a world cruise
- To volunteer at an orphanage
- To live by the seaside
- To lose weight
- To grow all my own food and be self sufficient
Timeline
Assistant Matron
Whitgift Foundation
08.2025 - 07.2026
Drop in volunteer
Trussell Foundation
01.2025 - Current
Achievement Mentor
Croydon College
09.2023 - 07.2024
Early Years Educator
Rainbow Childminding Services
01.2007 - 05.2022
Family Support Co-ordinator
Kensington Childrens Centre
11.2006 - 02.2007
Family Support Coordinator
Well Family Services
11.2000 - 05.2005
BA Hons - Social Sciences and Psychology
University Of Westminster
Level 2 - Counselling Skills
Place2Be
Advanced Diploma - Childcare and Education
Croydon College
Brief Solution Focused Counselling -
Brief Solution Counselling College