VANESSA ASHBY
Yeovil,Somerset
Summary
I am a reliable employee offering excellent communication and good judgement skills. I am organized and dependable and successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. I possess an attitude to develop and expand my knowledge and will willingly engage in any training programs advised that will enable me to carry out my job correctly and progress professionally.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
2020
2020
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Care Professional
Home Instead
Yeovil, Somerset
10.2022 - Current
- Assisted senior clients with daily routines for improved quality of life.
- Maintained clean surroundings, promoting a healthy living space for elderly clients.
- Increased patient comfort by providing personal care services such as bathing and grooming.
- Adhered strictly to confidentiality principles regarding patient information and records.
- Contributed to improvement in mental wellbeing by engaging clients in stimulating activities.
- Monitored vital signs regularly-immediate reporting of any abnormalities observed.
- Handled emergency situations calmly, reducing risks associated with elderly falls or sudden illnesses.
- Provided companionship for emotional support and social interaction to lonely seniors.
- Demonstrated empathy towards the needs of the elderly, promoting dignity at all times.
- Prepared nutritious meals to promote healthier diet among the elderly.
- Dealt sensitively with end-of-life care scenarios, providing comfort during difficult times.
- Coordinated transport to hospital visits or shopping trips, facilitating independent lifestyle despite age-related limitations.
- Enhanced client mobility with appropriate physical exercises designed for seniors.
- Encouraged participation in social activities, promoting positive socialisation and community inclusion.
- Performed household tasks such as cleaning, vacuuming and cooking.
- Administered medication and kept comprehensive records.
- Used manual handling techniques and lifting aids to position clients in safe, comfortable postures.
- Ran personal errands for clients and transported individuals to social gatherings.
- Accompanied clients to important appointments.
- Read aloud to clients, offering mental stimulation and social companionship.
- Provided tailored support to family members through particularly difficult periods.
Company Director
The Steam Pot Ltd
Martock, Somerset
10.2020 - 07.2022
- Created long-term business strategy to drive company success.
- Oversaw daily company operations to reach financial targets.
- Ensured company met relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
- Managed and optimised product and service life-cycles.
- Developed standard operating procedures.
- Oversaw recruitment and probation process for new employees.
- Monitored operations to assess and highlight results.
- Maintained organisational compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
- Partnered with management team to optimise operations and reduce costs.
- Directed day-to-day work of employees and motivated teams to exceed objectives.
- Served as official representative of the organisation to public groups or government agencies.
Store Assistant
Aldi
Yeovil, Somerset
06.2020 - 09.2020
- Maintained and replenished stock according to store merchandising layout, ensuring consistent product availability.
- Maintained spotless store presentation through regular cleaning, organising, and tidying.
- Assisted customers with product selection, recommending associated items to increase transaction value.
- Practised safe and secure stock-handling methods, reducing product damage and loss.
- Handled complaints calmly and professionally, minimising conflict and maintaining customer satisfaction.
- Delivered seamless checkout experiences throughout peak business hours, maintaining customer satisfaction.
- Improved queueing systems and till-point efficiency, successfully reducing customer waiting times.
- Strategically arranged and displayed new season merchandise to promote and maximise sales.
- Checked and processed incoming deliveries, unpacking and storing with care to avoid stock damage.
Early Years Practitioner
St Margaret’s Primary School
Tintinhull, Somerset
06.2017 - 09.2019
- Gave direct instructions to manage behaviour, maintaining positive learning environments.
- Monitored interactions within group settings, encouraging sharing and cooperation to facilitate positive socialisation.
- Established rapport with families and delivered comprehensive progress reports.
- Prepared nutritious meals and snacks, carefully adhering to individual dietary requirements and portioning standards.
- Coordinated age-appropriate activities to enhance learning development, including art, music and physical pursuits.
- Conducted risk assessments for activities to uphold Health and Safety.
- Tracked and assessed learning journeys using Nursery Management Software.
- Communicated daily observations with guardians, maintaining detailed development records.
- Used phonics to build reading and writing skills.
- Adapted activities to support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupils.
- Managed and administered medications and minor first-aid treatments, prioritising child safety and wellbeing.
- Thoroughly cleaned and disinfected play areas to control health risks.
- Supported children's development with learning-through-play activities, aiding social, emotional and educational growth.
- Applied Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) knowledge to drive curriculum attainment.
- Created safe and stimulating outdoor learning environments.
- Implemented safeguarding procedures to monitor and protect children.
- Served as Key Person for children.
- Discussed behavioural issues with parents, offering practical solutions for improved child development.
- Assessed pupil performance and adapted learning programmes to suit individual needs.
- Provided extra-curricular care in after-school clubs.
- Supervised groups of children on educational excursions.
- Managed classroom behaviour through positive reinforcement.
- Safeguarded children appropriately, escalating concerns to senior staff.
- Reported on developmental progress to quickly identify and meet additional educational needs.
- Achieved curriculum goals for Early Years Foundation Stage pupils.
1:1 Teaching Assistant
St Margaret’s Primary School
Yeovil, Somerset
09.2014 - 05.2017
- Cultivated close working relationships with students, teaching staff and parents.
- Provided safe, stimulating classroom environments to maximise student engagement and attainment.
- Assisted students to reach social development milestones.
- Planned and arranged classrooms effectively, consistently promoting equal access to learning and development opportunities.
- Worked with students in small groups and 1:1 to provide additional support with activities and lessons.
- Identified signs of distress in students, resolving behavioural and emotional issues through communication and caring actions.
- Led supplementary curriculum groups to increase learning levels in literacy and numeracy.
- Assisted students with a range of learning differences, including ADD and ADHD, helping them achieve their full potential.
- Supported successful inclusion of special education students in all aspects of academic and social development.
- Ensured lesson plans were inclusive of students' special needs, adjusting plans with class teachers to accommodate varying abilities.
1:1 Teaching Assistant in Special Educational Needs
Trent Young’s Endowed Primary School
Trent, Dorset
09.2014 - 07.2015
- Supported the successful inclusion of one special educational needs student and up to six other students in all aspects of academic and social development.
- Assisted up to six students aged 4 to 5 years.
- Identified signs of distress in students, resolving behavioural and emotional issues through communication and care.
- Ensured lesson plans were inclusive of students’ special needs, adapting in collaboration with the class teacher.
- Assisted students to reach social development milestones.
- Created a friendly, positive and inspiring learning environment.
- Worked with students in small groups and 1:1, offering constructive feedback and advice to promote good educational development and self-evaluation skills.
- Supported teachers in managing challenging behaviour and contributed to progress meetings by providing feedback, raising concerns and recommending appropriate action.
- Employed educational techniques such as Talk Boost to allow special needs students to easily comprehend complex information.
- Assessed special needs students within learning environments to determine and produce appropriate learning action plans for optimised individual progress.
Volunteer Worker
St Margaret’s Primary School
Yeovil, Somerset
09.2012 - 07.2014
- Supported children in reading groups and ran the school library.
Volunteer Worker – Pre-School Committee
Montacute Pre-School
Montacute, Somerset
09.2008 - 07.2011
- Attended monthly meetings with the pre-school staff to assist them with any concerns and assess events for the coming month.
- Helped to organise and attend fundraising events.
Animal Care Assistant
Margaret Green Animal Sanctuary
Church Knowle, Dorset
09.2001 - 04.2006
- Processed animal adoptions.
- Performed thorough daily cleaning tasks including sanitisation of enclosures and surrounding areas according to internal policies and procedures.
- Maintained strict compliance with infection control procedures to reduce medical incidents.
- Advised potential animal adopters and carried out home checks to ensure animals were allocated to suitable homes.
- Assisted with animal behaviour modification through caregiving, enrichment and rehabilitation programmes to facilitate timely adoption.
- Provided medical assistance to animals awaiting veterinary care.
- Received promotion to Senior Animal Care Assistant.
- Allocated staff tasks on a daily basis, completed staff rotas, carried out yearly appraisals of staff under my direction and supported staff, volunteers and management on successful practice at all times.
- Kept animal cages spotlessly clean to minimise infection risks.
- Provided animals with food, water, daily exercise and stimulation to enhance well-being and maintain good health.
- Thoroughly assessed animals for existing injuries and conditions upon arrival to ensure consistent care was administered.
- Carried out animal enrichment programmes.
- Identified and reported emergency situations.
Retail Store Supervisor
Pets at Home
Poole, Dorset
04.2001 - 09.2001
- Led team members by example, showcasing exceptional customer service standards.
- Dealt with customer complaints and rectified product and service issues.
- Maintained neat, tidy and fully stocked shelves and racks to facilitate optimum sales opportunities.
Dog/Cat Kennel Manager
Halfway House Kennels
Tintinhull, Somerset
09.1989 - 01.2001
- Maintained exceptional animal welfare during grooming and kennel stays.
- Trained in animal first aid to provide emergency assistance.
- Optimised animal comfort during treatments through compassionate care.
- Checked animal coats for fleas and ticks, offering treatment advice.
- Kept animal cages spotlessly clean to minimise infection risks.
- Liaised with customers to meet care and grooming requirements.
- Supervised staff on a daily basis, allocating tasks and ensuring they were carried out correctly.
- Ran the kennel shop.
- Organised staff rotas ensuring correct staff ratio at all times.
- Supported local colleges with student training, assessing individuals' progress and reporting observations back to tutors/placement officers.
- Supported Special Educational Needs students during their visits.
- Reported daily to the premises owner.
- Answered business telephone calls, organising pet bookings and other enquiries.
Kennel and Cattery Assistant
Kingston Kennels
Long Load, Somerset
07.1988 - 06.1989
- Cleaned and sanitised equipment and facilities, including cages, runs, and exercise areas.
- Managed stock control of equipment, feeding and cleaning supplies.
- Initiated organisation of kennel tours for the public, increasing customer base and reassuring customers that their pets would receive exceptional care during their stay.
- Trained in animal first aid to provide emergency assistance.
- Optimised animal comfort during treatments through compassionate care.
- Fed, watered, and toileted animals.
- Bathed animals for maximum cleanliness and comfort.
- Assessed animal behaviours and conditions, tailoring treatments accordingly.
- Maintained exceptional animal welfare during grooming and kennel stays.
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Early Years Practitioner
Yeovil College
Yeovil, SomersetNVQ Level 3 - Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
Yeovil College
Yeovil, SomersetGCSEs - undefined
Westfield Secondary School
YeovilCertificate of Higher Education - Small Animal Care
Yeovil College
Yeovil, SomersetSkills
- I can follow instructions well and have proved myself a very productive and supportive team member in my past positions
- I am able to work individually using the experience and abilities gained from my previous positions to carry out new duties correctly
- I can communicate well with my co-workers and seniors and will ask for assistance and advice when needed
- I have a friendly, caring and approachable personality and enjoy interaction with others
Timeline
Care Professional
Home Instead
10.2022 - Current
Company Director
The Steam Pot Ltd
10.2020 - 07.2022
Store Assistant
Aldi
06.2020 - 09.2020
Early Years Practitioner
St Margaret’s Primary School
06.2017 - 09.2019
1:1 Teaching Assistant
St Margaret’s Primary School
09.2014 - 05.2017
1:1 Teaching Assistant in Special Educational Needs
Trent Young’s Endowed Primary School
09.2014 - 07.2015
Volunteer Worker
St Margaret’s Primary School
09.2012 - 07.2014
Volunteer Worker – Pre-School Committee
Montacute Pre-School
09.2008 - 07.2011
Animal Care Assistant
Margaret Green Animal Sanctuary
09.2001 - 04.2006
Retail Store Supervisor
Pets at Home
04.2001 - 09.2001
Dog/Cat Kennel Manager
Halfway House Kennels
09.1989 - 01.2001
Kennel and Cattery Assistant
Kingston Kennels
07.1988 - 06.1989
NVQ Level 3 - Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
Yeovil College
GCSEs - undefined
Westfield Secondary School
Certificate of Higher Education - Small Animal Care
Yeovil College
NVQ Level 3 - Early Years Practitioner
Yeovil College