26 Apr 2006 - Senior Project Worker Retires
It was with some sadness that staff and residents of Chris Foster House said good bye to Janet Charman, a Senior Project Worker for Stevenage Haven who retired in April.
Janet had worked for Stevenage Haven for 6 years and her wisdom, wit, and no nonsense approach was appreciated by residents and staff alike. She and her husband Malcolm are retiring to Lincolnshire.
We send them both our best wishes for their retirement.
We asked Janet to provide some reflections on her time at Stevenage Haven and this is what she had to say.
"I was gradually getting my life and health back on track after being ill quite a long time. I wanted to start doing most of the things I used to do, most of all I wanted a part time job to prove that I was well and moving forward.
My sister Jill who worked at the Haven at Frobisher Drive told me they were looking for part time staff and volunteers. I came along for an interview and then started as a volunteer with a view to a part time position if we suited each other.
I really enjoyed being involved at the Haven, staff and residnets made me feel very welcome. Here at last was something I could do which was worthwhile, not only was I busy but enjoying it too.
I have seen many changes in the six years I have been with the Haven. We moved. We have had three changes of Directors. Supporting People ensured our survival but came with all the paperwork!! Some of the changes have been confusing as the goal posts kept being changed but we have seen it all through together with humour and a good deal of moral support from each other. "We have survived".
I feel sad to be leaving the Haven with all the new exciting projects in the pipeline but I feel its time for me to go.
I also have an exciting project which Malcolm and I call the money pit. It's an old cottage which we bought in Lincolnshire; it practically has to be rebuilt. This will keep us busy for many years to come and like the Haven it will be exciting, exasperating, lots of hard work, sweat and tears, but ultimately very rewarding.
I shall miss you all, staff, residents, volunteers and ex-residents. I shall never forget you."
Pictured below are Janet with Gregory Metcalf, a fellow senior project worker, who shared some of his reminiscences of his time working with Janet.
