Joanna Hawkes

After working full-time for Phoenix Community Care (PCC) for 23 years as Maintenance Manager, I was offered the opportunity to continue supporting the organisation on a freelance, remote basis while transitioning into a new career.

In my current role, I oversee property compliance contracts with a range of local authorities, ensuring contractual and regulatory requirements are met. I monitor changes to legislation and guidance, identify where company policies require updating, and develop organisation-specific policies and procedures. I also audit property certifications and compliance records, ensuring all documentation remains accurate, up to date, and fully compliant.

I was brought in to support A D Autos during the transition of the business from father to son, helping to reorganise and modernise the workshop to improve efficiency and productivity.

Working closely with both owners, I redesigned the workshop into clearly defined zones, creating dedicated areas for tools, welding, heavy lifting equipment, long-term storage, and short-term parts and returns. I also identified ownership of equipment and organised parts by individual projects, enabling outstanding jobs to be completed and significantly reducing the workshop backlog.

In addition, I worked alongside the team to strengthen the workshop's health and safety culture by introducing practical improvements tailored to individual needs, including safer manual handling practices, consideration of existing back and knee conditions, and the consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

This project required strong organisational skills, practical problem-solving, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively with both management and workshop staff to deliver lasting improvements.

During my 23 years with Phoenix Community Care (PCC), I was responsible for maintaining and improving nine supported accommodation properties for vulnerable young adults, ensuring they remained safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.

I monitored changes to legislation, contractual requirements, and best practice guidance, translating these into company-specific policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance. After achieving the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, I carried out in-house risk assessments across the organisation. I also became qualified in Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) and maintained a valid First Aid certification.

Alongside my compliance responsibilities, I undertook a wide range of practical maintenance and repair work, including plumbing repairs, replacing kitchen units, resealing showers and sinks, decorating, repairing plasterboard, gardening, and refurbishing properties by removing damaged furniture and installing replacements. As the properties were homes for vulnerable young adults, I regularly repaired damage resulting from behavioural incidents, ensuring homes were restored quickly to provide a safe and welcoming environment.

I also managed numerous refurbishment and capital improvement projects, including the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms, damp-proofing works, roof replacements, emergency repairs, and structural issues such as subsidence. This involved coordinating contractors, monitoring quality, ensuring health and safety compliance, and delivering projects with minimal disruption to residents.

A significant part of my role involved budget management. I prepared maintenance budgets, prioritised expenditure, obtained quotations, managed project costs, and reported regularly to the charity's Directors on spending, compliance, and property improvement plans.

Throughout my career with PCC, I developed strong skills in property maintenance, health and safety, project management, compliance, budgeting, contractor management, and practical problem-solving, while always maintaining a focus on providing safe, high-quality homes for vulnerable young people.

I worked in a specialist wet house supporting homeless men living with dementia, Korsakoff syndrome, and alcohol dependency. My role focused on promoting independence, dignity, and wellbeing while providing a safe and supportive environment.

I monitored residents' health and alcohol consumption in line with individual support plans, built positive and trusting relationships, and encouraged participation in meaningful activities to improve quality of life. These included gardening, caring for chickens, cooking, cleaning, golf, cinema trips, and other community-based outings that promoted social interaction and physical wellbeing.

The role required patience, empathy, excellent communication skills, and the ability to adapt activities to meet each individual's needs while maintaining a safe and supportive environment.

Whilst working for Warranty Holdings, I handled warranty claims for vehicle repair garages, specialising in the Peugeot and Alan Day franchises. My role involved assessing claims, providing technical guidance, and ensuring repairs met the terms and conditions of the manufacturer's warranty.

I reviewed vehicle service histories to confirm that scheduled maintenance requirements had been met and assessed whether faults were the result of a sudden mechanical failure or normal wear and tear. This required strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret technical information while communicating clearly with garage technicians and service departments.

LPNS was a care agency specialising in supporting adults with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. I primarily worked within day centres providing person-centred support and organising a wide range of meaningful activities designed to promote independence, confidence, and social inclusion for clients of the Home Farm Trust.

I planned and facilitated activities including life skills, arts and crafts, hairdressing, gardening, bowling, and other community-based opportunities that encouraged personal development, wellbeing, and social engagement. The role required patience, empathy, excellent communication skills, and the ability to adapt activities to meet each individual's abilities, interests, and support needs.

At Abbots Care, I supported adults with learning disabilities and complex needs across day centres and community homes. My role involved planning and delivering person-centred activities that promoted independence, confidence, wellbeing, and social inclusion.

I organised and supported a variety of activities, including life skills, community outings, gardening, arts and crafts, and sensory sessions, adapting each activity to meet individual abilities and needs. Through building positive relationships and encouraging participation, I helped individuals develop practical skills, increase their confidence, and enjoy meaningful daily experiences.