Here at Freedomlink we have a dedicated team of support workers, tutors, trainers and consultants.
We share a passion for improving the life choices and chances of all disabled people. We are proud of the services we provide.
Meet the team below:
Louise Westley - Director
Winner of the Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Woman with Determination’ Business Award, 2007 and a finalist in the Prince’s Youth Trust’s Simon Weston Award in 1998.
"I am passionate about the services we provide here at Freedomlink.
Through my own experiences as a disabled woman, I can understand and empathise with the frustration felt by many people with disabilities, when excluded from access to services and information.
When I was a student, graduating back in 1996, I faced many barriers stemming directly from an organisational lack of disability awareness. I sometimes found myself in lectures with no study support at all, which made being there simply pointless for me.
Thankfully times have changed. Improving access to services and information for all is now on the agenda for many large and small organisations and businesses. But, despite great progress, there is still some way to go to mainstream disability awareness and targeted services and support throughout organisational structures.
I am very proud of the contribution we all make here at Freedomlink to support continued improvement in access to services for people with disabilities."
Carol Johnson - Louise's Interpreter and Support Worker
"I have been Louise's Interpreter and Support Worker since 1998 and I am personally and professionally committed to the high quality services that we provide.
My background is in education: I started my working life as a French and German teacher and moved into adult education, managing Family Learning and Literacy, Numeracy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
I developed a passion for British Sign Language and that's how I got to know Louise - I think we make a good team! I am a qualified Sign Language Interpreter.
Through Freedomlink I provide English support to Deaf students, which I thoroughly enjoy."
Comments from the team:
- "It's the best job I've ever had - it's about people, not paperwork. You get to meet so many people. So rewarding when the students do well." - Lucy
- "I really enjoy my support work with students, getting to know them, building individual relationships and rapport, sharing in their achievement and encouraging them if, on rare occasions, it gets too much!" - Ramila
- “I have been working for Freedomlink for ten years now. I find note-taking very satisfying work in terms of supporting students to achieve their full potential academically. As a member of the Freedomlink team, I know we are all committed to meeting individual students’ access needs in the best possible way.” - Tracy
Freedomlink only recruits graduates or people with equivalent qualifications or experience.
All Freedomlink support workers are fully referenced and have enhanced criminal record (CRB) checks. Freedomlink support workers receive training and regular supervision to ensure continual professional development and high standards of service.
Freedomlink support workers receive the following training: