Celebrating Shannon & Chloe: A combined 23 years of making a difference

Yesterday, 26 October, two members of our team celebrated their work anniversaries at Age UK Isle of Wight: seventeen years for Chloe, who works in finance, and six years for Shannon, who helps keep our JAY service running smoothly.

To mark the occasion, they’ve been looking back at how they first joined the charity, the changes they’ve seen and the people and experiences that have made their time here memorable.

Chloe’s connection with the charity began in 2009, when she joined as a fundraising volunteer. Looking for work experience to build her CV after university, she soon found herself putting her skills with numbers to use.

“I was in charge of counting collection tins and all the fiddly 5ps,” she remembers.

What began as volunteering soon became a new career, supported by an apprenticeship at the Isle of Wight College.

“After about six months of volunteering I became an official employee as a Finance Assistant, having proven my ability to add up. The charity sponsored my apprenticeship at the IW College and I built up to my MAAT qualification. I celebrated with a bottle of prosecco chilled in the sea.”

Shannon arrived during a very different period. Having spent her working life supporting people, she was drawn to the opportunity to help clients remain independent at home through JAY.

She joined during the Covid pandemic, when welfare calls and doorstep shopping visits were an important part of keeping people supported and connected. Starting a new role brought some unexpected challenges.

“Just one week after starting we were all sent home to work remotely, which was a challenge in itself, but everyone was great and helped me whenever I needed it.”

Over their years here, both have seen their work develop.

For Chloe, some of the biggest changes have been in how the finances are managed.

“When I started I spent a lot of time writing out cheques and recording the ins and outs in a paper ledger. Now everything is worked on in the cloud and online, but my notebook is never far away for a quick add up.”

She has worked in four different buildings as well as from home, and seen many people join and move on. Along the way, the relationships formed at work have become an important part of her life.

“Some of my closest friends now started as colleagues.”

Today, the two fixed points in Chloe’s month are running payroll and producing the management accounts. Alongside those responsibilities, she brings her spreadsheet skills to a variety of projects involving data.

“I love to do payroll because it makes everyone happy!” she says.

Shannon’s work involves coordinating the many details that help JAY run smoothly. That includes making sure new clients are assessed and matched with a support worker as quickly as possible, recruiting support workers to meet demand, and arranging cover for holidays and sickness.

Her responsibilities have also grown to include checking invoices, dealing with queries and managing recruitment from interviews through to setting up HR records. She has also helped develop a new computer system to meet the team’s day-to-day needs.

For Shannon, the purpose behind that work is clear.

“I would say a ‘life-changing difference’. It’s a strong statement to make, but one I truly believe. We can support people of all ages to keep one of the most important things in their lives: independence.”

That support can help people continue living at home, provide reassurance for families who live further away, and help reduce isolation and loneliness.

For both Chloe and Shannon, some particularly memorable experiences have also taken place beyond their everyday roles.

Chloe became involved with Wolverton Manor Garden Fair when Age UK Isle of Wight was the event’s main beneficiary. Working with the committee, she took on the organisation of stallholders.

“They needed someone to organise the stallholders and that fell to me. The fair is well loved on the Island and continues to grow each year. It’s a great team to work with and I continue my part in it as a volunteer.”

Shannon recalls volunteering at one of our Spinnaker Tower abseil fundraisers in Portsmouth a few years ago. With much of her usual work taking place behind a computer, the event gave her an opportunity to support the people taking part in person.

Asked what has kept them at the charity, both return to the satisfaction of helping others.

“I enjoy being part of a team doing good in the world,” says Chloe. “And I find it hugely satisfying to get the numbers to balance!”

Despite all the changes she has seen, one thing has remained constant for her: the commitment of her colleagues.

“Definitely the work ethic of the people on the ground. From my back-office position I am endlessly amazed at the tireless work my colleagues do directly with our clients.”

Shannon’s answer reflects the same sense of purpose.

“I love supporting and helping people. If I can make someone’s life a little easier or a little brighter, that gives me great job satisfaction.”

Both would also like more people to understand the support available through Age UK Isle of Wight. Chloe points to the many different ways the charity can help, and how pleased the team is to do so.

For anyone considering support from JAY, Shannon offers a straightforward invitation:

“Just come and have a chat with us. Our support workers are all enhanced DBS checked for peace of mind, and we like to keep the same support worker with the same client for continuity, so you build a trusting and professional relationship with them.”  - find out more about JAY here: Age UK Isle of Wight Home Help

We’re so pleased to celebrate these two milestones and thank you to both Shannon and Chloe for everything they contribute to Age UK Isle of Wight, our colleagues and the people we support!