The nights are officially drawing in and dare we say it could soon be time to read our newsletter with a cup of cocoa in hand… So, without further ado, dust the hot choccy out of the cupboard and enjoy our latest instalment of Brains, Banter and Brilliance!
This month we caught up for a chat with Lizzie Potter about why she’d like to see more social workers join our industry – and why she’s jealous of her cockapoo Sidney. Take it away, Lizzie!
How and when did you first join the industry?
I’m a social worker by trade and used to work for a local council in the learning and physical disabilities team. I had a couple of clients back then who had their own case managers and I’d work alongside them, which opened my eyes to this side of things.
One of those people is actually one of my case management clients today, and I was a case manager for the other person too in a previous company!
What was it about case management that drew you in?
The thing that drew me into social care was the way you could build relationships with people and feel like you were really making a difference to their lives – but as the years went on, the work I was doing in the council felt like it was starting to become more transactional. It was losing that personal touch.
After leaving the council I looked into case management and found that the personal touch I’d been looking for is still very much alive in this industry.
Why Ben Holden Ltd?
I was working with another case management company and was enjoying the role, however, there were some changes and it was becoming more corporate and less person-centred.
I had a look around and liked the look of life at BHL. I also spoke with people who worked here, who I knew and they all recommended it – I am so glad I moved here.
How does it compare to other companies you’ve worked with?
I like that we’re a case management company run by case managers. Ben has that lived experience and is always happy to help – plus he’s genuinely just such a fun and lovely person.
We’re not corporate, we’re client focused.
Let’s pretend I am your client, what approach might I expect from you?
It really differs from person to person and what you need from me – but what I would say is that I’m always trying to be very approachable and reliable. If I tell you I’m going to do something for you, I’m going to do it.
But I’m also very relaxed and laid back – I want people to feel comfortable.
If you could change one thing about the case management sector, what would it be?
There’s definitely the problem that lots of people in similar industries like social work simply don’t understand what we do – but instead of saying just that, what I’d really like to see would be more people from social work coming over and joining case management.
What I’ve learnt from my own experience is that the skills between both roles are really transferable and I feel like I am doing ‘proper social work’ now – more so than when I was a social worker in the council. Lots of case managers have previous experience in things like occupational therapy, nursing or speech and language, so I would love to have more social workers join the team. Having more people enter the industry from diverse roles can only be a good thing.
What was your dream job growing up?
I just really wanted to help people. Two of my aunties and the majority of my cousins were nurses, so I looked up to them and wanted to do something similar.
It wasn’t until when I was a teenager one of my relatives was assigned a social worker that I realised that was what I wanted to get into, having seen what their job involved. Plus I’m not a big fan of blood, so maybe nursing wasn’t right for me after all.
What is your spirit animal?
I’d say my cockapoo, Sidney. He lives the best little life – he goes for a walk, eats his breakfast, cuddles up with a cuddly toy and snoozes all day. Doesn’t that sound perfect?
