Before moving into the supported accommodation sector, Dounia enjoyed a thirty-year career in mental health nursing as an RMN and raised a family of six children. Dounia has a Diploma in Counselling and has completed two years’ training in Group Analysis. Dounia is a keen supporter of the charity Child Rescue, based in Goa India. She visited the project three years ago and fell In love with it, the children and its the founders Mathew and Anita. Dounia regularly hosts speakers and promotes this amazing charity and encourages people to volunteer. Dounia also regularly volunteers at the Snowflake shelter in Hastings where she often helps with the overnight shift which they struggle to cover. Dounia values the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with people who require support, empathy and understanding. The ethos of East Sussex Supported Living reflects Dounia’s experience and outlook and is shared by the whole team.

Richard has recently taken on the role of Business Manager with East Sussex Supported Living. Richard has worked with the company since its inception in 2008. Prior to this he worked in a variety of roles including: banking, refuse collector, post person, and builder. Richard has also taught Tai Chi very successfully in the UK and Europe and combines this with nutritional advice and massage. Richard has traveled widely and has a refreshing “it can be done” attitude. He currently combines his role as Business Manager with an ongoing role assisting the individuals that we work with.

Kai has been affiliated with the company since it launched. Kai likes the outdoors and nature and volunteers for numerous groups including East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) and the Snowflake Shelter. Kai sometimes takes the people we work with fishing as a form of occupational therapy. Kai currently works as a Personal Assistant across ESSL locations, but mainly works with people at our Eastbourne houses as a Personal Assistant and Keyworker.

After leaving school at 15, Alvie joined his father’s firm of house builders and learnt and developed skills and all aspects of building homes, which he did for 46 years. Alvie has three children and two grandchildren and enjoys an active family life. Whilst working with East Sussex supported living (refurbishing two of the houses) Alvie developed an interest in the people he met and moved to work permanently as a support worker/ personal assistant. Alvie loves his new role and enjoys all aspects of his new employment. Alvie has a positive attitude to his contact with the people he works with and has a great ‘can do attitude’. Along with the usual support offered Alvie also assists people with fishing, gardening and visits further afield. Alvie is always keen to help people with practical tasks and projects.

Tania is a qualified RMN with over 20 years’ experience, including NHS, private healthcare and the voluntary sector. She joined us in April 2011 after 10 years of managing a specialist suicide prevention service covering Hastings, Rother and Eastbourne where clients were supported individually in their own homes and in groups in community bases. Tania is passionate about the user-led and person-centred approach and is particularly skilled in advocacy and in supporting people to organise their lives in ways that can help them to blossom. She is a skilled promoter of healthy physical lifestyles as a means to achieving positive mental health. Tania works as a Personal Assistant and Keyworker and is mainly based at our St. Leonards and Bexhill locations.

Pete joined the team in August 2010 from a background of Youth and Community work with young adults, specialising in mental health, learning disabilities and challenging behaviours. Pete has a B.Ed. from London and a postgraduate Counselling Diploma from Brighton. He is interested in empowering people to reach their full potential through participation in the community and by following their dreams wherever possible. Pete is also an accomplished artist, musician, writer and organic vegetable grower and incorporates these skills into his support work. He is also skilled at helping vulnerable adults navigate their way through the complexities of benefits and other official documentation and enjoys introducing those interested to the world of computers and the internet as a way of expanding their choices. Pete works as a Personal Assistant and Keyworker and is mainly based at our St. Leonards and Bexhill locations.

Kim enjoyed a long career as a teacher whilst raising her own family of five children. Kim has lived in Hastings for many years and is committed to contributing to the positive development of the town. Kim is a local councillor for Hastings Borough Council. Kim’s commitment to fairness and improving outcomes for local people is reflected in her work with East Sussex Supported Living. Kim has worked with the company since its inception and provides individualised support to residents on a long-term basis. Kim works mainly at our St. Leonards location as a Personal Assistant. Kim’s interests include: enjoying the company of family and friends, politics, visiting the gym, reading, and meeting new people. Kim says “I believe people should be supported and encouraged to achieve their potential in life.”

Junayd has been part of the team since September 2012 after graduating from University with a BSc in Environmental Science. Junayd is now an experienced support worker and has worked across all of the accommodation we provide. Junayd is an enthusiastic and compassionate person who is keen to help people re-kindle and find enjoyment in sports and social activities. Junayd partakes in a variety of sports and likes to use his knowledge and resources to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle wherever appropriate. Junayd also has a passion for traveling and the natural world which often stimulates interesting and intriguing discussions. He likes to accompany people to new places and explore the world they live in, helping to empower them socially and physically. Junked works for ESSL as a Personal Assistant across all of our locations.

Nick mostly works in our Eastbourne locations and has been with ESSL since 2013. He also works as a baker and is a skilled cook. Nick enjoys enabling individuals to participate in making nutritious, homemade meals. Nick enjoys playing sports, particularly football, cricket and golf, and likes to promote a healthy lifestyle and enjoys accompanying individuals on trips out of the house. Nick was born a triplet and enjoys working as part of a team and is considerate of others. Nick enjoys engaging in conversations on a wide range of topics and is a good listener. Nick has a kind nature and is dedicated to helping others. Nick works as a Personal Assistant and Keyworker.

Ali started working for ESSL in 2015. Ali provides administrative support to the organisation. Ali previously worked for East Sussex County Council in administrative and community roles and has also engaged in volunteer work.

Dr Esmoreit Sleyster, Ph.D., Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society has recently joined the team and will provide consultation and training services to East Sussex Supported Living. Esmoreit has 30 years’ experience as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS and in private practice, where she has worked in partnership with Local Authorities, voluntary agencies and the private sector. She has held senior clinical and operational leadership positions in the NHS and has developed expertise in staff supervision and management; project management; expert consultation and training to senior managers and frontline staff. This includes working as a Consultant Psychologist and Trainer to West Sussex County Council provided residential homes for 15 years. Esmoreit is a qualified and experienced teacher and has provided numerous training projects. For example, she has been an accredited Training Provider for West Sussex County Council since May 2008. Esmoreit is empathic and supportive in her approach, and is experienced in working with complex and sensitive issues. She is committed to working in a thoughtful, respectful and collaborative manner with residents, care staff and the wider support system. Esmoreit uses methods that are of high quality and evidence-based, informed by sound and well-established psychological principles.

Katherine joined ESSL in 2016 and has a background working in supported living. Katherine enjoys her work and loves to see how people progress. Katherine is fun-loving and loves working as part of a team. She is a good listener and will do her best to help everyone she can. Katherine is keen to promote independence in the people she works with and will always strive to help someone learn a new skill. Katherine likes accompanying people on trips out into the community. In her spare time Katherine loves playing and watching sports and currently plays in goal for the Hailsham Ladies hockey team. Katherine loves animals, especially dogs and has a pug-cross called Barney. Barney has visited some of our houses with Katherine where people enjoyed meeting him. Katherine also enjoys drawing and painting.

Chris brings a wealth of experience in Adult Social Care, having worked with Adults with Learning Disabilities and Occupational Therapy since 2010. Chris is passionate about the value of Occupational Therapy in supporting people to gain, and develop skills that will lead to more fulfilling lives. Chris has two Diplomas in Education, experience of Special Educational Needs, taught in schools (Design & Technology, numeracy, literacy), and has been teaching Martial Arts since 2001. Chris’s interest in fitness, tai chi, karate, anatomy, massage, and canine behaviour, are on hold at the moment, as he has two young daughters who keep him busy outside work.

Jez joined ESSL from a background in adult care. Jez likes films and video games and the rest of the team appreciate his technical expertise.

Steven joined the ESSL team in 2017 and is the house coordinator at one of our Eastbourne locations. Steven is a musician in his spare time and performs on stage with a variety of groups. Steven enjoys playing football, squash and running for exercise as well as playing drums. Steven often encourages our clients on trips out and walks around the area. Steven has a friendly, laid-back persona and is easily approachable.

Michele

Michelle

Mel joined ESSL in 2017. Before this he was a support worker with Mencap for 6 years following a career change from financial advisor. Mel likes to travel and enjoys walking and football. Mel brings a wealth of life experience to his role as a support worker with ESSL.

Jackie joined ESSL in 2019 and loves working in all of the houses. Previously she had 12 years experience as a day care manager working with vulnerable adults with mental and physical difficulties. She also had 2 years experience as an advocate working with adults with learning difficulties. She’s cared for her son for the last 17 years who has autism and sensory and attachment issues. She qualified as a massage therapist in 2003 and has given talks and demonstrations on the benefits of therapeutic massage. In her spare time she likes to take her dog for a walk, spend time gardening, and photography.

Gaelan