50 Voices
DONNA 50 Voices captures the authentic voice of the people that use our services and our staff as Turning Point celebrates its 50th anniversary
50 Voices
Donna Henderson
50 Voices
Donna Henderson
Donna Henderson has been a Community Navigator at the Birmingham Community Navigator Service since its inception in 2013.
What are your main responsibilities? In a nutshell I help people get the support they need for anything that is to do with their wellbeing. This can involve making sure individuals know how to sort out their housing issues or ensuring that they receive the right benefits for them. I also take part in one-toone sessions as well as running two Knit and Natter sessions. The sessions are free and another fantastic way for people to integrate and assimilate and feel like they belong to a community.
Donna Henderson (far left) with one of her clients Yvonne (centre) and Melissa (far right), who is a volunteer for the Community Navigator Service, at the Norman Power open day.
How did you start working at Turning Point? I am a real people person, I was interested in finding out how the local people were getting on.
I live in the area and as I am a real people person, I was interested in finding out how the local people were getting on. I wanted to know what was going on in my local area and try to help in any way I could. When I heard about the proposal for a community navigator service in 2012, I decoded to take part in the research. We opened on July 8th 2013 and I have been working here ever since.
50 Voices
Donna Henderson
What is the navigator service all about? The Birmingham Community Navigator Service is a wellbeing service providing information and guidance for the local community. We are able to re-direct people to get the right help from the right services but we also signpost activities that are going on in the community so that locals can find out what’s going on!
What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most?
The best part of my job is seeing new people achieve their goals.
The best part of my job is seeing new people achieve their goals. The elderly community in the area tend to feel quite isolated so it’s great to see when they get back out into the community. One elderly lady we supported used to get a taxi from her house to the doctors because she was too scared to walk there. It was costing her £4 there and another £4 to come back every time she had an appointment. What’s shocking is that she lived on the same road as the doctor’s surgery! Unfortunately she didn’t feel confident and comfortable enough to go by herself. After we pointed her in the right direction for the appropriate support, she now walks to her doctors. It’s fantastic that we’ve helped her to feel less isolated and more integrated and more independent. What’s more she’s saving a couple of quid in the process!
What skill or quality do you have that helps you do your job to the best of your ability? I’d have to say good old fashioned life skills. I’ve got four children myself, I’ve had to go through housing issues, benefit issues and other concerns. I remember having to fill out similar forms so I not only have compassion and understanding for these individuals but I also have a certain knowledge in those areas. All of which helps me when signposting people to the right person or service that can help them.
50 Voices
Donna Henderson
What is your biggest challenge on a day-to-day basis? My biggest challenge is striving to do better and to go higher. I’m working towards my level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care and am looking to complete further levels so that I can continue to better myself. The skills that this course will enable me to develop, especially management skills, will make me a more valuable team player at Turning Point and help me to provide better support and guidance for those who need it.
Finally, why are you so passionate about being a part of Turning Point? Simply because I like being a part of an organisation that continuously strives to empower people to help themselves!
50 Voices
Turning Point Standon House 21 Mansell Street London E1 8AA 020 7481 7600 info@turning-point.co.uk
50 Voices Learn more at www.turning-point.co.uk For press enquiries about 50 Voices please contact press@turning-point.co.uk