At Northern Healthcare, we like to celebrate every achievement.

Recently, three of our valued team members at Kirk House have celebrated promotions. Daniel Colquhoun was promoted from Support Worker to Team Leader, Joe Scott from Team Leader to Deputy Service Manager, and Leila Foster-Palmer was promoted from Support Worker to Team Leader.

We are incredibly PROUD of our colleagues at Kirk House and wanted to catch up with them regarding their journeys at Northern Healthcare.

Daniel, congratulations on your promotion! How did you work towards this?

“I have worked as a Support Worker at Kirk House since April 2023. From day one I have always strived to better myself, gain knowledge, confidence and learn new skills. This way, I knew that if an internal promotion came up, I would feel confident in applying.”

What advice would you give to a colleague wanting to progress at NHC?

“Go for it! You have nothing to lose.

You must believe to achieve. Have self-confidence as Northern Healthcare is an ever evolving and growing company, and you can learn new skills every day.”

What attracted you to join Northern Healthcare originally?

“I knew a former team member who worked for Northern Healthcare at the time of applying and she praised the company and the management at Kirk House highly. Once applying for the job, I really valued the company’s PROUD values and ethics too.”

What do you enjoy most about your current role?

“I enjoy gaining job satisfaction daily. Whether it is from completing a task with a person we support or leading our talented team of staff on shift and seeing their dedication.”

What is the most challenging aspect of your current role?

“Time management can be a little trickier when you go for a promotion as I suddenly need to complete more tasks, plus manage the staff team. I still always make time for the people we support!”

What makes Northern Healthcare stand out from other supported living providers?

“The internal and external communications and newsletters are great, the PROUD values being at the base of everything we do and the openness in supporting mental health.”

Please let us know about a standout memory from your time at Northern Healthcare.

“I have to say, personally, I enjoy our in-house activities. We recently threw a Kirk House disco where we all dressed up, sang karaoke, and danced the day away! It was great fun.”

What would you say to someone thinking of joining Northern Healthcare?

“Absolutely do it. It is the best Support Worker role I have had so far!”

What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone just starting at NHC?

“Never be afraid to ask questions. Ask away!”

If you could swap roles with anyone else at NHC, who would it be and why?

“I would swap roles for the day with our Service Manager, Bruce Maclaren. I would like to see the day through his eyes! Although a Marketing role would be fun to see all the services, great pictures emailed in.”

How do you spend your time outside of work?

“I used to be an avid horse rider and show jumper but gave this up years ago. So now on my days off, I love to see my friends and their children and socialise! And sleep is also always essential.”

What is one interesting fact about yourself?

“I am a good baker when I get the time to do it!”

What is one thing professionally, and one thing personally, that you would like to achieve in life?

“Professionally I would like to become a Service Manager and in my personal life, I would like to visit Australia!”

What is one thing that you have done in life that you are particularly PROUD of?

“Becoming who I am today.

Nobody is perfect, but personally I have a great support system and professionally I have found a job I have stuck at and progressed in. I have worked in the Care Sector for nine years now and cannot imagine not doing this. I love it!”