CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & LEAD THERAPIST

Meet Wendy: Our CEO: A Passionate Advocate for Empowerment

Wendy founded First People Housing CIC in April 2022, driven by a deep commitment to supporting individuals facing homelessness and vulnerability. Prior to this, her extensive experience in the social care sector spanned two decades, encompassing diverse areas like substance misuse, domestic violence, and criminal justice. Previously, she served as Operations Director at Druglink and later transitioned to a Consultant CQC Registered Manager role at a leading global medical and pharmaceutical company.

Wendy's passion lies in empowering individuals to believe in themselves and achieve positive change, no matter how seemingly small. This dedication is reflected in her leadership style and her unwavering support for our residents. Her efforts have been recognized through two consecutive "Care Leadership Awards" and "Most Innovative Care Team" awards from the Hertfordshire Care Providers Association. Additionally, she has contributed valuable insights to various publications focused on the issue of homelessness.

Beyond her extensive experience, Wendy holds a diverse range of qualifications:

• Qualified Counsellor: Equipped to provide therapeutic support and guidance.

• NLP Master Practitioner, Trainer and Coach: Possesses advanced skills in personal development and coaching methodologies.

• Level 5 Award in Leadership in Health & Social Care: Demonstrates expertise in leadership and management within the healthcare and social care sectors.

• Qualified Health and Wellness Coach: Empowers individuals to achieve their personal health and well-being goals.

• Currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Addiction, Psychology and Counselling: Continuously expanding her knowledge and skillset to better serve the needs of our residents.

Wendy's leadership and dedication creates a foundation of unwavering support and empowerment for individuals seeking to build a brighter future.

Support and Development Director

Meet Kieran: From Business Leader to Champion for Change

Kieran joined First People Housing CIC in November 2023, leveraging his 30 years of private sector experience to manage our service operations. This career shift reflects his passion for supporting those experiencing homelessness and substance misuse.

Kieran's journey began in January 2019 with volunteering at a local drug and alcohol service, where his empathy and positivity shone through. He then transitioned to a paid role in their night shelter, gaining invaluable firsthand experience during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Kieran's dedication led him to Druglink in March 2021, where he managed a housing project for individuals facing similar challenges. He brings a unique blend of business acumen and social sector experience, further enhanced by his Master Practitioner qualification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).

Kieran's diverse skillset and unwavering commitment prove him to be an invaluable asset to our team.

COUNSELLOR and CHAMPION of VICTIMS of MALE DOMESTICE ABUSE

Meet Joanne: Dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by complex challenges through her work in counselling, addiction support, and domestic abuse intervention.

Joanne joined Frist People Housing CIC as a Male Domestic Abuse Manage in June 2024, alongside working as a volunteer counsellor specialising in addiction.

Joanne enjoyed a 25-year career in London as a Naval Architect, during this time she was also a Union Representative and Harassment and Bullying Investigator. After taking voluntary redundancy, she decided to put her love of working with people into practice by developing a new career in the third sector. Following roles with Citizen’s Advice as an Advisor specialising in Welfare Benefits, and volunteering with Choices DA charity on their Healthy Relationships project she moved to work for Age UK. Joanne set up an Information and Advice service for a local Age UK branch in Kent, dedicated to supporting those over 55 and their carers, before becoming CEO of the local branch.

During lockdown Joanne decided to pursue a lifelong desire to work as a Psychotherapist. She completed a BSc in Psychological Counselling, gaining a First Class Honours, alongside CPCAB counselling qualifications and in 2024 resigned the CEO role to undertake a MSc specialising in Addiction Psychology and Counselling part-time. She is currently embarking on a Level 5 ATSAC accredited course Working with Sex Addiction.

Joanne is dedicated to working with both survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse and to further develop her understanding and knowledge has undertaken training with Respect on Working 1-1 with perpetrators of Domestic Abuse , Working with male victims of Domestic Abuse and Supporting LGBTQ+ victims of domestic abuse.

Joanne is a member of the BPS, BACP and Addiction Professionals.

SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT WORKER

Meet Clare: Holistic Advocate for Well-Being, Housing, and Recovery.

I'm thrilled to be part of the team at First People Housing, where I focus on promoting personalized well-being and development for each client based on their unique needs. My approach is client-centered, offering comprehensive support that goes beyond just housing. I'm passionate about advocating for our clients' physical and mental health, which are often neglected during periods of homelessness or addiction.

Prior to joining First People Housing, I embarked on a fulfilling journey dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations. With over 20 years of experience, I've held roles in diverse settings, including:

Schools: Focusing on youth offending and mental health support

NHS call handler: Providing essential support in a fast-paced environment

Rape crisis service: Empowering survivors and offering crisis intervention

Crash Pad officer with Herts Young Homeless Team: Assisting homeless youth

Various homeless/housing provisions across Hertfordshire: Supporting diverse needs, including mothers and babies at a dedicated unit and individuals at a night shelter

Local ESC/PRU: Working with teenagers on emotional regulation, teaching mindfulness and the Open Minds Programme

Druglink: Supporting substance abuse clients, ex-offenders, and those facing homelessness

Safer Places supported housing setting: Delivering empowering workshops and holistic healing modalities to women fleeing domestic abuse

Throughout my career, I've honed my skills in counseling, Reiki, meditation facilitation, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), and more. These holistic approaches allow me to create a personalized path towards healing and well-being for each client.

Witnessing the challenges faced by vulnerable populations firsthand has fueled my passion for this work. I firmly believe that everyone deserves a chance to rebuild their lives. My diverse experience has equipped me with the empathy and skills necessary to make a positive impact as part of the First People Housing team.

SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT WORKER

Meet Daisy: Dedicated to Empowering Recovery: From Mental Health to Substance Abuse Support

I'm thrilled to be part of the team at First People! My path to working here involved a diverse set of experiences within the mental health sector, all of which have fueled my passion for supporting individuals on their journeys of recovery and rehabilitation.

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with individuals facing a wide range of challenges. This strong foundation equipped me for a pivotal role as a drug worker at HMP The Mount. There, I focused on supporting inmates struggling with substance abuse. Witnessing the complexities of addiction firsthand further deepened my understanding of the connections between mental health and substance misuse.

My time at HMP The Mount ultimately led me to become a recovery worker at Druglink, where I continued to empower individuals as they reclaimed their lives from addiction. Each experience has reinforced my commitment to helping others navigate the challenges of recovery and rehabilitation.

To further equip myself for this vital work, I pursued academic qualifications in counselling. I hold a foundation certificate in psychodynamic counselling and a level 2 counselling certificate. Currently, I'm diligently working towards completing my level 3 qualification at West Herts College, with the ultimate goal of becoming a qualified counsellor.

My passion lies in supporting individuals as they reclaim their well-being and build fulfilling lives. I'm excited to contribute these experiences and ongoing learning to the First People team!

SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT WORKER

Meet Caroline: Empowering Lives Through Holistic, Inclusive Support

I'm passionate about supporting people from all walks of life, and my background reflects that! For many years, I've worked in various settings, gaining experience that allows me to connect with individuals facing a wide range of challenges.

Here's a glimpse of my journey:

Supporting Elderly Residents: I've had the privilege of working with seniors in both nursing homes and residential settings. This experience instilled in me the importance of empathy, respect, and ensuring a high quality of life for our elders.

Hospital Care: My time in the coronary care unit sharpened my focus on providing critical support and emotional well-being to patients during a difficult time.

Supporting Young People: Working in a PRU (Pupil Referral Unit) school setting exposed me to the complexities faced by young people with challenging behaviours. This experience honed my skills in de-escalation, positive reinforcement, and creating a safe learning environment.

Addiction Recovery and Reintegration: Supporting individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction in the community has been incredibly rewarding.

I was particularly involved in launching a pilot project assisting prison leavers with housing upon their release. This experience combined my passion for social justice with my desire to help individuals reintegrate into society successfully. I continue to provide ongoing support to service users transitioning out of the criminal justice system.

Qualifications:

Higher Diploma in Health and Social Care (Open University)

Diploma in CBT/Counselling

Diploma in Criminal Psychology

Always Learning:

I'm constantly striving to enhance my skills, and I'm currently pursuing an Advanced Diploma in CBT and Counselling. This dedication to continuous learning ensures I can offer the most effective support possible.

My passion lies in building rapport, providing a safe space for individuals to share their experiences, and empowering them to reach their full potential.

ADMINSTRATOR

I joined the team in April 2024 as the Administrator, and let me tell you, my path here has been anything but ordinary!

My career journey has taken me through diverse experiences. I've worked in the fast-paced world of a leading telecom company, enjoyed a creative stint as a tea shop owner, and even dabbled in retail. Each chapter has equipped me with valuable skills and the joy of meeting people from all walks of life.

However, before joining FPH, I hadn't directly encountered the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, or offending behaviour. Since then, witnessing our clients' journeys – from initial assessments to finding stability – has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that we're helping them move forward is truly fulfilling.

So, what do I bring to the table?

Organisation and Efficiency: I thrive on keeping things running smoothly! My years of administrative experience have been instrumental in ensuring efficient procedures for processing housing benefit claims – a critical source of funding for our clients' housing.

Supporting the Team: By taking care of the paperwork, I free up our support workers to focus on what they do best – supporting our clients on their recovery journeys.

This new chapter has been immensely satisfying. I'm excited to continue contributing my skills and witnessing the positive impact we make at First People.

PEER SUPPORT WORKER

Meet Marcia:

More to follow soon

PEER SUPPORT WORKER

I'm passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals, particularly those facing homelessness. My role at First People allows me to directly support them by providing resources, guidance, and most importantly, empathy and compassion.

Many people experiencing homelessness have faced significant challenges. I believe in fostering understanding and offering a source of comfort and hope during their difficult time.

Advocacy and Building Trust

Being their advocate is a crucial part of my work. I'm dedicated to raising awareness about the issues they face and ensuring their needs and rights are recognized. Advocacy helps create positive changes in the lives of individuals and within the system as a whole.

Personal Growth Through Service

Supporting others has a profound impact on me as well. It fosters empathy, resilience, and a deeper understanding of social issues. Building trust and strong connections with individuals lets me witness meaningful changes in their lives, which is incredibly rewarding.

I'm excited to be a part of the First People team and contribute to making a difference in our community

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Meet Mark, Our Operations Director:

Mark joined the First People Housing CIC team in November 2022, bringing a wealth of experience to support our daily operations. His arrival allows Wendy, our CEO, to dedicate more time exploring growth opportunities and reaching out to even more individuals in need, particularly those belonging to hard-to-reach groups, including women.

Mark boasts over three decades of experience working within local authorities, having held various operational leadership roles. His diverse background encompasses areas like health & safety, regulation, and legal matters. Additionally, his valuable experience as a landlord equips him with a deep understanding of property management and the high standards we strive to maintain in our accommodations.

Mark's commitment to personal and professional development is further reflected in his qualifications. He is a qualified coach and is currently pursuing a Level 2 Counselling qualification. This combined expertise allows him to effectively support our team and contribute to our mission of empowering individuals.

Anti Stigma Network

International Society of Substance Use Professionals

Addiction Professionals

National Council of Voluntary Organisations

College of Live Experience Recovery Organisations

British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy

British Psychological Society

Respect

Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Services