Meet Sam, Deputy Manager

Sam Higgins is the perfect example of someone who has made the most of the career progression opportunities at National Star.                  

From bar work to care work

After being made redundant from her bar management role Sam joined our charity to work in StarBar at Ullenwood, serving drinks to students. She still remembers fondly the karaoke nights and regular singsongs! After learning more about the role of a facilitator, National Star’s term for a care and support worker, Sam took the plunge. She moved from behind the bar and joined the facilitator team at Shortwood, one of our student residences.

Family friendly shift patterns

Although Sam had never worked in care before, she received training to hit the ground running. While her children were younger, the busy mum worked evenings and weekends, to juggle childcare with her husband. Her previous staff management skills gained in the hospitality sector came in useful when she was promoted to Senior Facilitator. Sam moved to work in Manor Barns, one of our smaller residences for students with autism and challenging behaviour. It was here that she took advantage of the ‘aspiring manager’ staff training that we offer.

Because her children are older Sam has now joined the day student management team. She spent some time getting to know the current day students once a week before getting stuck into her new job.

‘I really do recommend National Star as a place to work to my family and friends. The teamwork is second to none and there are plenty of opportunities to progress in your career to fit around your family commitments. National Star is a growing organisation, there were 300 staff when I first joined the charity, now there are over 1,000 staff!’ said Sam.

Find out more

Interested in joining National Star? Find out more about the benefits we offer and view our current vacancies.