As part of our Every Person Matters campaign, we caught up with Support Worker, Dave Noon who has been part of AFG for the past 16 years. A passionate advocate for the people we support and a true champion of AFG, Dave shares his journey with us and what makes being part of AFG so meaningful to him.
Can you tell me about when you first joined AFG and what attracted you to the role?
I joined AFG after I relocated back to the North West from the South West of England where I had worked for around 22 years in a completely different background in Food Logistics. I moved back to Liverpool following a family bereavement. My Mother’s health was deteriorating very quickly hence the move back to Liverpool.
What was your reason for remaining at AFG for so long?
I love being involved with the people I support on a regular basis and have a tremendous amount of energy. I like to build on their lifestyles, and I am always looking to try to improve or enhance their opportunities and openings for common interests and hobbies.
I also enjoy working alongside my colleagues, some of which I have known for quite a number of years within the different networks of the organisation. I am very lucky to be involved with the team I am currently in, and I am always on hand to give any advice or guidance when needed and vice versa. We have a great mix of expertise and experience amongst the team.
What has kept you motivated throughout your journey at AFG?
I have a broad knowledge of AFG’s background and over the years I have had a number of opportunities whereby I have been seconded on some very detailed opportunities within AFG. I have also been lucky to work with some great professional people and Team Leaders who have trusted me in these roles to utilise experience from other fields. This has allowed me to plan and manage situations and take full responsibility to see the projects through to the final completion dates planned.
Would you encourage other people to build their careers at AFG? And if so why?
Yes, I would certainly encourage others from both inside and outside of the organisation to build a career within AFG. There is the necessary training which is well-tailored in each required role with the right tools and direction to do whichever job it is specified for.
What makes AFG a Great Place to Work?
The past eight or so years AFG has been led and directed immensely from the Board. The Trustees have blended great talent to direct AFG even further during the coming years and they must take a lot of credit for that.
All employees, including our frontline colleagues and managers alike have such a massive variety of support be it financial or health-wise. There are so many potential benefits on offer daily through the tech Library, uMatter page and the Amazing People Rewards – there are just too many to name off the top of my head. AFG is certainly going in the right direction, you only have to look at the number of long service employees who we have on board. It says it All.
For me AFG IS definitely a Great Place to Work.