Team Page

Alex joined BEST in 2003, with 9 years experience as a Mental Health Development Officer working at a mental health day centre, and prior experience in youth work training, delivering sessional youth work and children’s work in both public and voluntary sectors and these have contributed to my interest in development work related to both people and organisations.
In 1996 I worked as a Resident Caretaker and Good Neighbour at a Making Space flat scheme for two years.

At BEST my work involves delivering work preparation, performance assessments, linking up employers and setting up work placements, supporting our clients ongoing and performing reviews to support development planning. Also I am actively involved in ongoing service developments and resource identification that ensure BEST remains in touch with the core of its mission to assist users of its service in their recovery process through employment activity.

Winnie joined BEST in 1993 as an Employment Officer (Mental Health/Physical Disabilities). In May I was seconded to New Deal for Disabled People as an Personal Advisor. I returned to BEST in March 2001 as an Senior Employment Officer. Prior to working at BEST, I had been employed by Bolton Council since 1990. I worked in the Council Tax Dept and then within Housing Benefits.

My employment history mainly involves working with the public. Before joining Bolton Council I had worked in a number of departments within the Civil Service, including the Inland Revenue, Benefits Agency, Employment Service and Job Centre. I left the Civil Service to work as a Placement Officer for long term unemployed people, many of whom need a whole range of support due to health problems or disabilities. At BEST my role is to work with, supervise and develop the staff within BEST. To work directly with a small caseload of service users with mental health problems, providing the appropriate support.

I joined BEST in April 2007 as an Employment Officer. My extensive previous work has been working for Bolton Council in Personnel, including working in the Careers Section of the Education & Arts Department.

At BEST my role involves assessing and preparing people with recognised mental health problems for access to mainstream employment opportunities.

I joined BEST in 1999. Initially as a Clerk/Typist, but soon involved myself with group work and PTA Service Development and then successfully secured my current role, as Employment Officer.

In my present role my aim is to assess and prepare people with recognised mental health problems for access to mainstream employment opportunities. Through a focused plan involving a work preparation programme and identifying suitable work experience placements and/or college courses.

I joined BEST in 2002, as an Administrator having worked for the Inland Revenue as a Revenue Executive.

My role at BEST involves supporting the team’s “Clerical” Needs, from switchboard to statistical analysis and day-to-day office systems and reporting.

Stephen is a student in the second year of a part time BA Social Work degree at Salford University. Stephen’s previous experience includes working as a support worker with adults with learning disabilities at Falcon View, an Inclusion Officer at the Jubilee Centre and as a Visual Impairment Officer at the Sensory Centre. Stephen will be with BEST until the New Year and is enjoying his time with the team.

I joined BEST in July 2006, my role entails providing administration support, and also designing the promotional print and web solutions for BEST. I design our quarterly newsletter: ‘Link-Up’. I have also designed this website and shall be maintaining it.

My past experience has involved me as a BEST service user, with work placements at Bolton Shopmobility Workshop (3 years) and Asian Elders Resource Centre (1 year) providing administration support and graphic design needs. I have also been in charge of creating web and print promotional products for ROOTS FM, a radio station Celebrating Bolton’s Heritage, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.