Christie Graham

I took over as owner in 2022 and now it is my full time work. I run a beautiful events business in luxury sleepovers, Bell Tents, Outdoor cinema experiences, pamper parties and luxe picnics. I cater for all different celebrations including; birthdays, weddings, hen do's, baby showers and business launches.

My job requires me to be organised, work with many different customers, adhere to specific regulations, manage finances and public liability. I run my social media accounts and since 2022, I have now branched out into 5 different counties from just one.

• Launched new products to meet market demands.
• Created business plan, secured funding for growth initiatives.
• Devised pricing policies that attracted a wider customer base.
• Managed financial accounts, ensured fiscal stability.
• Collaborated with local businesses for mutually beneficial partnerships.

• Collaborated with special education teachers for better lesson planning and execution.
• Utilised specialised teaching techniques for improved academic performance among special needs students.
• Fostered an inclusive classroom atmosphere by promoting empathy, acceptance and respect among peers.
• Assisted in creating individualised education plans to cater to each student's unique needs.
• Participated in professional development training sessions to stay informed about the latest in special education teaching strategies.
• Maintained up-to-date records of each pupil's progress, attendance, medical information and behavioural patterns.
• Coordinated with multidisciplinary team members such as speech therapists or psychologists for holistic child development.
• Assisted in managing classroom behaviour by implementing effective discipline strategies tailored to individual needs.
• Offered emotional support during challenging situations whilst respecting student's personal space and emotions.

• Coordinated pre- and post-bereavement in collaboration with hospital palliative care service.
• Maintained updated knowledge of Mental Capacity Act and associated capacity-specific assessments.
• Liaised between patients and family, medical care team and community organizations to coordinate care.
• Managed specialist palliative care between community and inpatient settings.
• Used paper and computerised case recording systems to track casework and patient data.
• Advocated for clients and families to access necessary care
• Communicated with senior nurses in support of discharge planning.
• Cultivated holistic approach to palliative care from social work perspectives.
• Anticipated and identified bereavement needs of families and carers.
• Developed strong and trusting rapport with each client to facilitate best care possible.
• Assessed social care needs of patients and families to connect with resources.
• Worked in close partnership with community, hospital and inpatient teams to foster safe and effective transfers.

• Scheduled patient appointments using system one booking system
• Protected patient rights, providing continued discretion and confidentiality in line with setting policies.
• Tailored communication efforts to meet needs of service users with self limiting difficulties, such as elderly, hearing difficulties and those with special needs.
• Welcomed patients, carers, relatives, visitors and other health care staff in polite and professional manner.
• Accepted, issued and handed out prescriptions, paperwork and specimen bottles.
• Managed requests for information and processed complaints by phone, email and in person.
• Demonstrated empathy and patience when handling patient queries.
• Welcomed patients with warmth and kindness, ensuring smooth booking and checking in processes.

• Performed accounts receivable duties including invoicing, researching chargebacks, discrepancies and reconciliations.
• Interacted with customers professionally by phone, email and in-person to deliver accurate service information.
• Planned and executed all aspects of office move.
• Contacted patients regarding unpaid and underpaid accounts to resolve any issues.
• Generated daily operations reports, presenting to management and advising required corrective actions and improvements.

I began working with a family in Kempston that had 3 beautiful girls, 5,9,10 years of age. My responsibilities were getting the children up dressed and ready for school, taking them to and from school, household chores during some days, after school activities, homework, reading and during the holidays i would have the girls all through the day. we'd go on trips, walks, the park, cinema, swimming, to friends houses etc.. At the time of nannying, myself and my partner fostered my niece (6 years). So I cared for all 4 girls on a daily basis and would sometimes help the parents if needed on weekends. I implemented routines, reward charts and daily chores to help the order of the house as at times could be chaotic with three girls. I prepared all meals and a safe environment for the children. I liaised with school teachers and activity leaders. I left my position in May 2014 due to maternity leave. During my time off it became apparent that maybe returning was not the right thing and I sadly stood down from my position in Feb 2015.

• Encouraged children to be understanding of and patient with others.
• Identified warning signs of emotional and developmental problems in children.
• Coordinated field trips to local parks, fire stations and zoos.
• Engaged with children on an individual basis to build positive relationships with them.
• Promoted language development skills through reading and storytelling.
• Safely transported children to and from school, medical appointments and extra-curricular activities.
• Worked with parents to develop and implement discipline programmes to promote positive behaviour.
• Helped develop the family’s schedule to maintain household order.
• Engaged in after-school activities including sport practice and homework.
• Organised activities that enhanced children’s physical, emotional and social well-being.
• Established and maintained a safe play environment for the children.
• Closely monitored children's play activities to verify safety.
• Communicated with parents about daily activities and behaviours.
• Helped children complete homework assignments and school projects.

• Identified early warning signs of emotional and developmental problems in children.
• Maintained a child-friendly environment by allowing frequent access to outdoor activities.
• Addressed behavioural and learning issues with parents and child care management staff.
• Engaged with children individually to meet their emotional and physical needs.
• Sparked imagination by helping children discover new things each day.
• Promoted good behaviour by using the positive reinforcement method.
• Promoted language development skills through reading and storytelling.
• Taught basic education principles while complying with IEP and ARD goals.
• Assisted the lead teacher with snack time, arts and crafts and putting the children down for naps.
• Kept classrooms clean by sterilising and disinfecting children's toys and surfaces.
• Supported [number] classroom teachers in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum for a group of [number] pre-schoolers.
• Organised small groups of children while transitioning to and from outdoor play.
• Administered medication and minor first aid to ill and injured students.
• Dressed children and changed nappies.
• Communicated regularly with parents about daily activities and behaviours.
• Offered parents detailed daily reports that outlined their child’s day.
• Maintained daily records of children’s individual activities, behaviours, meals and naps.

When I began Brigham (now part of biggleswade academy) I started as a level 3 apprentice and finished as a 'level 3 childcare and development' qualified worker. I took on roles where I was a key worker for a number of children, I implemented many things such as;

-dealing with behaviour

-communicating with their parents

-filling out their learning journals following the EYFS - to which i then was in charge of making sure  the EYFS  was followed and how within the out of hours club

-first aid

-taking children to and from school 

-school trips

-took control of shifts and registers within holiday hours 

-home visits for children

-parents evenings

and many more responsibilities 

I had only left the setting when I felt that my knowledge and experience wasn't being pushed and opportunities were not given at appropriate times. 

• Responsible for the production and plating of desserts.
• Greeted each customer with friendly eye contact
• Helped with preparation, set-up, and service for catering events
• Inspected restrooms for cleanliness and availability of supplies and cleaned restrooms when necessary
• Kept ice bins filled
• Performed all transactions in a cordial, efficient and professional manner
• Placed clean dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment in storage areas
• Prepared and served cold drinks, or frozen milk drinks or desserts, using drink-dispensing, milkshake, or frozen custard machines
• Spoke with customers to ensure satisfaction with food and service
• Stocked service stations with items such as ice, napkins, and straws
• Stocked bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies
• Stocked, organised, and cleaned kitchens and cooking utensils
• Took food orders and relayed orders to kitchens or serving counters
• Trained new employees
• Washed dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, and/or pans using dishwashers or by hand
• Weighed and measured ingredients
• Wiped tables and seats with dampened cloths, and replaced dirty tablecloths
• Cleaned work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, and silverware
• Cleared and re-set tables at conclusion of each guest meal

There were many responsibilities I took on when working within a restaurant environment, some are listed above. During my time there I really started to learn how to work with people/customers. We had a huge variety from happy to unhappy customers, younger to older customers, children, people or children with disabilities. I learnt how to adapt how I communicate and deal with people on a daily basis. Some hours I would work as the only waitress on shift and also every once a week would work along side the manager running the main door - greeting, organising and making sure the day ran smoothly for everyone.

I also started taking responsibility for the weekly quiz that took place which was great fun for all.

• Established a safe play environment for the children.
• Organised and engaged in recreational activities such as games and puzzles.
• Maintained a child-friendly environment with access to outdoor activities.
• Engaged with children on an individual basis in a pleasant manner.

During my time at the sports centre, I worked within the holiday sport clubs. children from age 3 -12 attended and i would arrange activities and games for the children during the full day hours. It was my first experience with working with children (on a career basis)

I also spent my other hours there working within the organising of the centre, some reception work, children registers and keeping a safe environment for adults and children using the facilities.