Recognising Potential, Encouraging Independence, Achieving Self-Worth

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Meet the Staff

Ginny Swaffer

I joined the team at Culverdale in April 2007 after being a 'stay at home Mum' for the best part of ten years. I have three children and I am married to Ian. Prior to having the children I was a Social Worker on a Children and Families team and a Support Worker on the emergency out of hours team for a county's Social Services department. I have also worked with young people with challenging behaviour in schools. I so enjoy being a part of Culverdale, it is certainly a very special place to be and firmly believe that God has lead me here. He has definitely moved me from my comfort zone and is using all those life experiences I have had, good and bad, in my work with the people who live at Culverdale. After being a Support Worker in the team for two and a half years I am now the Manager and am enjoying all the challenges that this brings. It is a privilege to work alongside the residents and staff of Culverdale and together we all learn new things about ourselves.

Natalie Wenham

I am a Support Worker working part time at Culverdale. I have been here since March 2007 and thoroughly enjoys working with the residents and staff team. I came to Crossways after working as a Town Planner in both the private and public sectors since 1993. I decided that life was too short not to try something completely different (in addition to raising a family) when an opportunity to work here arose, that’s what happens when you ask God what he wants you to do with your life! It amazes me how much I’ve learnt since I’ve been here and although the work is sometimes difficult, I feel it’s a privilege to be working alongside people who live here.

Ian Swaffer

My name is Ian and I am a relatively new addition to the Crossways team, brought here after being made redundant in November 2008. Shortly before this in September 08 I became a Christian through attending a Christianity Explored course and it is amazing to see the way that God has worked in my life since that moment, the sense of calm at a point of supposed turmoil and despair. My role is that of Support Worker but before I came to Culverdale I was in a completely different working environment, one which didn’t encourage freedom of thought and expression, something that is actively encouraged here at Crossways. 

The whole ethos seems to be one of passing on life experiences for the common good of the residents, helping them to rebuild themselves, blossom and grow. I find my work so rewarding and am on a constant journey of self discovery. In summary I love my job. It is the only job I have ever had that when I talk about it I find myself grinning from ear to ear!

Alan Rose

My  name is Alan and I’m the newest member of the team at Culverdale, joining in February 2010 as a support worker. I’m so grateful to God is the God of the second chance but not just that, the third, fourth, fifth...I’ve certainly needed them. There has been numerous times in my life when I’ve questioned the relevance/necessity of some of my life experiences, but now more than ever I can see where God has been fathering and preparing me for this stage of my journey. I thank God that he has a plan and purpose for me and especially for the fact that he’s not finished with me yet!!!

It’s been a real pleasure getting to know the staff and residents at Crossways, as well as, getting to know myself in new ways. The variety of work, support from the team and being part of an organisation that makes a difference are things I thank God for. Coming to work is a pleasure - and that’s take some getting used to!

In January 2010 my wife Katherine and I were blessed with a beautiful, cute and adorable son (people say he looks like his dad!)

Maynard Tait

I started working at Culverdale in March 2011 as a Support Worker. I have to say that if someone had told me at the end of 2010 that I’d be doing this type of job, I would have laughed, rather heartily.

For the previous four years I had been studying full-time towards a degree with honours. I graduated in September 2010 with the plan to then go on to do Primary Teacher training from April 2011.  My wife went back to work full-time in 2006 as a teacher believing that after five years she could stop work again and let me earn the family bacon.

However, our plans didn’t correspond with the Lord’s and who are we to argue? God says in Jeremiah, ‘I know the plans I have for you…’ and these words of the Lord are as true today for every Christian as they were all those thousands of years ago. The Lord knows where he wants us and he steers us in the right direction. Sometimes we get frustrated or confused when we don’t go our own way, but remembering the Lord has me and my family (one wife, three children) in His hands, reassures me and I firmly believe that God has me here for a reason. I used to wait for God to open doors, but only recently I’ve realised that I have to push them first to find out which ones open and I’m glad I pushed the door to Culverdale.  A lovely bunch of people to work with and getting to know the residents has been wonderful. My ‘student’ days are over and I look forward to serving God here at Crossways.