We recently caught up with Bridget Newham, one of our Outreach Team Leaders, to find out more about her role and why she loves working at Bedspace...

 

 

When did you start working for Bedspace and what line of work were you in before?

I joined Bedspace in February 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic. Before Bedspace, I worked in the children’s residential sector and I also have experience as a teaching assistant, which then led to me counselling children with additional needs in schools. I’ve always wanted to help people, which is why working at Bedspace appealed to me so much when I initially started as a support worker, because the ethos here is all about making an impact and transforming the lives of vulnerable people in the community. It's why I’m still here now as a team leader after being promoted!  

 

What is your role at Bedspace and what does it involve on a day-to-day basis? 

I started working at Bedspace as a support worker, and I’m now a team leader. Being a team leader at Bedspace involves so many different roles and responsibilities, but my work largely revolves around helping unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and adults that need support with their mental health. I’m involved in new referrals, checking out available properties, and organising rotas. Another part of my role is speaking with social workers and solicitors to co-ordinate what external help vulnerable individuals may need. As a team leader, I’m also responsible for answering any questions that our support workers may have and providing them with advice on challenges they may be experiencing. Having previously been a support worker at Bedspace, it’s important for me to empathise with the current support workers and help them in any way I can. 

 

What’s your favourite thing about working for Bedspace? 

There are so many aspects of being a team leader that I enjoy, but my favourite thing about working at Bedspace is the engagement I have with the young people that come to us seeking support. Often, we see people coming to Bedspace that are scared and frightened and it is so rewarding to see how our team support these people to help them feel safer and more confident. It makes me really proud to be a leader of a team that has such a positive impact on vulnerable people. The role of team leader comes with big leadership responsibilities which I really enjoy. 

 

What’s your favourite working memory at Bedspace and why?

I have so many highlights from working at Bedspace; the ethos and the environment has made working here so enjoyable. If I had to pick one favourite memory it would relate to one of the young people that I have worked closely with, who has no family, now calls me ‘Mum’ and sees the team at Bedspace as their main support network. Witnessing people grow in confidence and become happier is why I do my job. 

 

How do team leaders make a real difference to the vulnerable people supported by Bedspace? 

Team leaders have a really big impact on the young people that they support; it’s always lovely to get feedback from social workers that we work with about the great impact our support workers have. As team leaders, it’s so important that we oversee not only the internal work of our support workers, but how we manage the external teams we work with like solicitors and social services. By leading the co-ordination of the whole team, as team leaders we are able to understand the type of help that vulnerable individuals need which we make happen by pulling together a team strategy. Another key part of our job is to give feedback and praise to support workers who do amazing work, to maintain the strong unity we have here at Bedspace. 

 

To see more from Bridget Newham, why don't you have a look at our YouTube Channel!: