Colleague Spotlight: Marc Reynolds

Our Colleague Spotlight feature is on Marc Reynolds, who is one of our Shared Lives Scheme Workers at Surrey Choices. Read his interview below to learn what he loves about Shared Lives, memorable moments of 2023 and much more!

How long have you worked for Surrey Choices?

I was working for Surrey County Council for EmployAbility (since 2007) when Surrey Choices was formed, so I transferred over at the very beginning. Before that I was working for a day services provider in London Borough of Bexley. I did take a year out to work for Highways England, but was happy to be welcomed back to EmployAbility. I have been with Shared Lives for around two and a half years now.

How did you come to start with the Shared Lives Team?

I saw an advert for a year long secondment to the team, and I was fortunate enough to be accepted for this. At the end of the secondment, I was pleased to be offered the role on a permanent basis. The rest, as they say, is history.

What is a personal goal of yours?

I qualified as a clinical hypnotherapist in 2021, and I am enjoying practicing this in the evenings. I am in the process of getting my website for this up and running. I have restarted riding my motorcycle again (after a year or two of it being sat in the garage) and I am looking to qualify as an observer for the Kent Advanced Motorcycle group, to help other motorcyclists looking to undertake their advanced test. I currently ride a Triumph Tiger 800XC.

What is something you love about working for Shared Lives?

I feel very fortunate that I get to meet some great people in the course of my work (people we support, Carers and colleagues), and feel that I am able to facilitate some amazing, positive steps for people. I suppose on the downside, the M25. Say no more!

What was your favourite moment of 2023? 

The wonderful Wisley visit in June with the Shared Lives Team, Carers and customers. We ran a photography competition during the trip which was a great success with everyone.

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