23 September 2019
At FirstPort, we love to share the incredible stories of how our Development Managers really are FirstPort Everyday Heroes. Our Development Managers don’t just make sure the buildings our residents live in are clean, safe and comfortable, they’re also always looking for activities to help bring our residents together.
This month’s FirstPort Everyday Hero is Dawn, a FirstPort Development Manager who has created a truly special community for her residents to enjoy.
Creating strong bonds
From her first day in post, Dawn made sure her door was always open to her residents offering both companionship and practical support. However, that in itself wasn’t enough for Dawn.
“Getting to know the residents, I realised that many of them were lonely,” Dawn says. “Despite wanting to socialise more together they struggled to get anything off the ground.”
Dawn knew something had to change and that by driving that change she would embellish her residents’ lives.
Building a community
The first step was to establish a social committee, and with Dawn’s help and support this became a roaring success – today there are three social committees each one developing exciting activities and events meaning there is never a dull moment!
Dawn is very much at the forefront, regularly staying late or working weekends to host events and making sure everyone is having the best possible time.
Whilst many in Dawn’s position would think ‘my work here is done’, this success only spurred her on more.
The Choir is born
“Being so involved in the social aspect of my development, I gained an understanding of the things that excited my residents,” Dawn says. “I decided to create a community choir as I just knew this would be something they would really enjoy.”
And Dawn was right – the choir quickly became popular and attracted 24 members. It was soon a firm favourite with residents’ friends and families too, who left only standing room free at the choir’s Christmas performance – the highlight of the festive celebrations.
Dawn went one-step further by creating a CD of the choir that they could then share with others, something residents and their families found incredibly touching.
The best is yet to come
“I’ve had some wonderful feedback, with residents telling me I have made their lives brilliant. I can’t tell you what that means to me,” Dawn says. “As long as I am making a difference and delighting my residents, I will keep the momentum going. Helping to create a community that enriches their lives is an absolute privilege,” Dawn concludes.
Now that is music to our ears, Dawn!
