About me

[TraceyJCook]

My name is Tracey and I'm 54 years old. I have 3 grown up children and 4 Grandchildren.

I've worked in Social Care for over 23 years covering adults and children, Dementia, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Challenging Behaviour and Palliative Care.

My hobbies include going to the gym, paddle boarding and I've been a volunteer for over 20 years in rescue and rehoming animals.

[Jofisher]

Hi Tracy I was an A.C.M. For social services and worked as an Auxiliary nurse for 9 years then went to uni to train as a nurse one year in injured my back and that was my nursing career over. I then started a charity for Fibromyalgia for 7 years and my disabled sons 28 now so all these things have taught me such a lot. It’s great to have you here as maybe you will be able to answer some questions when they arise. I’m fortunate that one of my daughters is now a social worker so she’s a great help. Welcome

[LDAutie]

hi TraceyJCook welcome to the group! 🐇🐓🐈🙂

i know through listening to my own staff talk over the years that organisations and companies dont tell their support staff how important, caring and worthy they/you are enough-you do an amazing job, lots of people cant do it.,ive been in the instiutiontal system since 18 and ive seen so many come and go,and some who see it as quick money until they realise what theyve got themselves into.

it annoys me so much that support work is really underpaid when when you are someones carer, listener,supporter,advocate,social worker, key worker, communicater etc.

i cant believe you can work at a animal sanctuary and not take home them all. 😁

what animals do you get to work with?

im an animal lover to-ive got a 400 litre tank of tropical fish,plus i got my additional needs cat and one of my rabbits from the same sanctuary-they even bonded her with my nauthy lionhead rabbit (shes 7 now!) Binky for me.

i noticed how in terms of dogs, the sanctuary had so many staffies,and they said its very common theresome years ago i used to walk dogs when i was in secure residential care for the price of a coffee-most of them with behavioral difficulties like untrained rotties and staffies who coudnt cope on leads or worse-theyd been used as security dogs and not shown empathy-the owners were always to busy to look after them.

good on you for working with animals as well,it shows just how much care and empathy you have.

its something id do to but my disabilities are very complex, if you ever want a chat im on here a lot but be warned i forget very easily-i have no short term memory due to my epilepsy,i make huge posts without realising and dont know where to start with edditing them down,so i apologise for that, i hope you have a good day tomorow.

[Sarah_Mencap]

Welcome Tracey, it is lovely to have you here. Thank you for introducing yourself.

I'm Sarah and I am one of the Mencap online community team. I am just here to help when I can and moderate posts (I seriously have the best job - this community is such a lovely place that I rarely have to actually moderate anything 😀 )

There are load of people on here who have lots of experience to share. Please do post any questions you have, or feel free to reply to other people's posts.

Best wishes

Sarah