News update: Chris Ingram joins Style Acre – October 2015

Chris-IngramI am delighted to have finally arrived at Style Acre and started as the new Chief Executive.

I know you were all sad to see Kate go after so many years of friendship, inspiration and committment to the charity, and rightly so. I have been really impressed with everything I have seen in my first couple of weeks; friendly people, great support and fantastic values, all the things that made me decide to come to Style Acre in the first place. It is great to come to work and see so many happy smiling faces every day!

I have already met many people connected to Style Acre and hope to meet many more of you in the coming weeks to hear your views on what makes it such a great place to work and be supported. I plan to spend a day working in the Tea Room and the shop in Wallingford, and time at both Turnstyle and T2. I will be spending time with each Support Manager and looking for opportunities to shadow some support workers (feel free to volunteer).

Style Acre has achieved a huge amount in its 20 year history, providing opportunities for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. This will continue because I am passionate about giving people choice and control, supporting people to play an active part in their community and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to develop friendships and get a job. I am keen to continue and enhance the work we do with families and look forward to attending my first Parents and Carers meeting at the end of the month. I look forward to building upon the connections and relationships we have with the local communities, businesses, trusts and Oxfordshire County Council because it is these partnerships which will help us achieve our goals.

I won’t go into great detail about myself right now but thought you would like to know a bit about my background. I have 21 years of experience in the social care sector, starting off as a support worker and working my way up through the various levels to my current position. I spent the last 8 years as Operations Director for a ‘not for profit’ organisation called Dimensions who also work with people with learning disabilities and autism, so am very familiar with the environment that Style Acre operates in and the challenges we face.

Please feel free to pop into my office or get in touch if there is anything you want to ask – you can contact me at cingram@styleacre.org.uk