Aims & Values
- To work in partnership with clients, their families and other professionals
- To respect and uphold the client's rights and freedom of choice
- To increase client's sense of worth and self-esteem
- To support clients to discover their dreams and achieve their goals
- To empower clients to make their own decisions, gain confidence and independence
- To protect vulnerable people from harm and abuse
- To reduce client's reliance on specialist support services
- Our ultimate goal is to support clients to overcome adversity, reach their potential and embrace life
Meet Ray
Having worked extensively with children in care, Ray spent many years in a community connecting role supporting young people with disabilities. In 2021, Ray set up Oarpel to help young people with a disability to overcome adversity, realise their potential and embrace life.
Ray has tremendous passion and energy and is a great advocate for making things happen.
A true believer in partnership working, networking and social integration, Ray works tirelessly to connect our clients to the community.
Meet Josh
With over 7 years experience in the health and social care sector, Josh has an extensive background in support work and community connecting.
Josh has previously worked as a support worker for clients with learning disabilities in the community and in supported living accommodation.
He also developed a sports coaching company for individuals with disabilities and worked as a Physical Education Coordinator in a primary school, before setting up JH Community Support in 2016.
Extensive support work and community connecting experience. Trained in basic First Aid. Adapted Disability Sports Award.BTEC Level 2 in Learning Disabilities. NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Health & Social Care. Trained in Health and Safety At Work, Mental Health Awareness and Autism Awareness.
Meet Kelly
Kelly joined the team after her involvement with the group while volunteering at the Performing Room (Music Club).
Kelly also works as a professional musician and is thoroughly enjoying being a part of the team.
Witnessing the development and happiness among the incredible group of individuals that the team supports is more fulfilling than anything else.
Kelly hopes to continue supporting individuals to experience as much joy and fulfilment as possible and to make a positive impact on their journeys.
Meet Craig
Craig has a passion for raising awareness around all types of mental illness. Having been inspired by those closest to him, he is taking that passion and using it to support people with learning disabilities.
"The best way to pursue happiness is to help other people. Nothing else will make you happier.”
— George Lucas
He is currently working towards additional qualifications and has built a strong bond with a number of clients.
Meet Jenny
Jenny has worked within various care and support settings for the majority of her life. This has given her extensive experience and understanding in the best way to support individuals.
Jenny is passionate about supporting and enabling people to achieve anything, using a person centered approach.
Meet Jake
Jake has worked as a postman for many years and has a keen interest in sports, particularly running, football and tennis. He is also skilled in creating and publishing podcasts.
He is currently working towards additional qualifications and is a regular quiz member at our Monday group.
Meet Tracy
Tracy has many years of experience working with looked after children and vulnerable adults in children’s homes, fostering agencies and secure units.
Since joining our team, it is clear that Tracy has a great energy and is always happy to go the extra mile.
It is a pleasure to have Tracy in our team.
Meet Stewart
Stewart started working in care after a short period of time living with family members that cared for adults with additional needs. He knew almost immediately that he needed to change his career to work with people with learning disabilities and additional needs.
Stewart feels he has had the opportunity to work with many amazing people, families and service providers and that changing career was the best thing he has ever done. Every day brings something new along with lots of smiles and fun.
Stewart has a Health and Social Care NVQ and experience working with adults with disabilities including autism.
Stewart says, "Supporting people to live a full life while reaching their goals and dreams is why we do what we do. As well as my job I also love music, playing guitar, supporting Liverpool FC & the San Francisco 49ers and watching and reading anything Star Wars.
May the Force be with you!
Meet Barry
Barry has worked in the care sector for a few years, including Northampton General Hospital. He enjoys the variety of activities with the team, supporting many individuals to make life happier and more enjoyable.
Barry has NVQ's in social care and has a community care nursing degree.
Meet Mandi
Mandi joined our team on a part-time basis after attending a music group activity and snooker activity and feeling inspired by the work that we do to support our clients.
Mandi has worked with children and young people in her previous role specialising in developing children's creativity and building confidence.
"I'm very proud to be working with such a wonderful team, helping clients to enjoy life and create new opportunities. It's something I will always want to be part of."
Meet John
John joins us following his introduction to JH & OARPEL through his autistic son Christopher and their involvement in the World Disabilities Snooker fraternity.
Following a full career in the Royal AirForce as an Aircraft Engineer John, through his son, has always had a passion for helping those in need of support in realising their ambitions.
John had been working for 7 years as a Recovery Support Worker in a service helping those with drug and alcohol addictions and the Person-Centred approach adopted by JH & OARPEL and the acronym “OARPEL” (Overcoming Adversity Realising Potential Embracing Life) pretty much sums up his attitude to life and helping others.
John has been trained in First aid, Diversity and Equality and the Safeguarding of Adults. Autism has figured largely in John and his wife’s (Yvonne) lives with experience of the Special Education Needs processes, educational and vocational challenges, and many of the barriers presented to those with a need for support. Helping others with an opportunity to test themselves, accepting challenges as a means to grow and feel part of a community that cares gives John a massively rewarding sense of purpose. John is an avid “outdoorsy” type keen on fishing, walking, all types of sports and relishes exploring any opportunity that provides growth areas for the JH & OARPEL Community.
Meet Mark
Mark worked as a welder for 20 years and wanted something more in his life. He has a granddaughter who is severely autistic which was one of the reasons he became a carer. He has worked with people with learning disabilities for nearly 10 years now, and is an avid football fan of Northampton Town and Liverpool FC. He is very passionate about helping people with learning disabilities to achieve their goals and just be happy with their life.
Meet Donna
Donna has worked in the care industry for 27 years, first as a carer for the elderly for 15 years, then 12 years as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities.
Donna has an NVQ level 2 in health and social care and level 2 working with individuals with learning disabilities.
Donna loves both sides of care, and working with people with disabilities brings a smile to her face. Her favourite part about working for JH & OARPEL is that everyone works well as a team.
Meet Lisa
Lisa has spent 30 years working in social care with the last 18 being with people with learning difficulties. Lisa has worked in residential care, supported living and also at a day centre during that time. She is passionate about promoting independence and social inclusion and feels everyone should be entitled to the same opportunities. Lisa loves to encourage the people she supports to achieve their aims & goals and said she couldn’t be happier to join the JH & Oarpel team. In Lisa's spare time, she loves going to the gym, going for long countryside walks, loves nature and reading books.
Our Partners
