Pauline Charlton

Pauline is Lead Therapist at Hedley’s Horizons, our adult day service provision.

Pauline is responsible for overseeing all forms of therapy we provide, including physiotherapy, occupational and speech and language.

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How long have you worked at the 糖心logo入口 Foundation?

3 years 8 months, I joined on the 11th July 2022.

What has your journey been within the Foundation to get to where you are today?

I joined the Foundation as a Band 6 Senior Physiotherapist for Hedley鈥檚 Horizons, after only about 3 months my Lead Physio left and I decided to go for promotion to become Lead Physiotherapist for Horizons.

I then became Lead Therapist for Horizons in November 2024 鈥� this is when I became therapy manager for the Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists.

What are some of the biggest changes you鈥檝e seen in your time at the Foundation?

When I first joined, Horizons and College were joined together with the same joint senior leadership team and managers. We offered a different service and didn鈥檛 quite fit under the College umbrella. 听

During the summer 2024, a decision was made to split the two services. Horizons in my opinion was then able to develop its own identity and install our own practices for the benefit of the service users. This has gradually evolved; our service has expanded, there is an increased choice of activities, the service users enjoy more day trips out, it鈥檚 a happy and bright environment.听

We are a busy team but friendly therapy team, aiming to support both service users, their family and staff in Horizons, 听

What鈥檚 your favourite part about your role?

The people.听I love the听staff – they are brilliant! They’re all very caring and dedicated.听I听also听get so much warmth and听pleasure from听working with such wonderful service users.听They make听me smile听on a daily basis.听听

What is your greatest memory of working at the Foundation?鈥�

The Hedley’s Live concert in the park two听years ago was听an absolutely brilliant听day with such talented students, service听users听and staff.听It was lovely听to have the whole service out, have lunch in the park and listen to some great music. It was a shame about the rain at the end of the day however, we all got soaked walking back to Horizons!

What does an average day look like for you?鈥�

My day can be quite varied, it could consist of meetings, writing reports and of course carrying out physiotherapy sessions with our service users.

The physio sessions may consist of rebound therapy, hydrotherapy, land based sessions where I use my hands-on clinical skills and gym sessions.

The luxury as therapists in Horizons compared to most other therapists is that we听have time to get to know听the service users, we听can design and听change their sessions depending on what they would like to focus on, we can make it fun and听interactive,听or we can provide a quieter relaxation session.

We have the opportunity to identify if someone鈥檚 physical ability deteriorates and monitor posture, skin integrity and alert if someone requires medial attention. We also provide orthotics clinic and referral to wheelchair services.听

A piece of advice to someone joining the Foundation?鈥�

Get to know the staff and service users. You have staff here with many years of knowledge and know-how. 听

Get to know each individual service听user,听pick up on听their听individual qualities,听get to know their likes and dislikes.听

Smile – it鈥檚 a happy place!

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