Our team

Katharine Merryweather

Director

As a founder of Choices for Life, I am immensely proud of the vibrant community we are today. I have been working with people who have a learning disability since 1994 and at Choices for Life since 2002. My academic background is in psychology, and I feel that I use this in all aspects of my role at Choices. I love my job and think there is nothing better than making a positive difference in people’s lives.
In my spare time I like to have quality time with friends and family, camping, yoga and singing in a choir. I am currently studying for a level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management as I’m hoping it will help me in our new venture adding Supported Living to what we offer at Choices for life. I’m very much looking forward to developing the service and feel very lucky to work with the fantastic team of managers and staff we have at Choices for Life.

Roger Merryweather

Service Manager

Having first provided voluntary support at a special school in the 1980s, I have worked in a variety of support roles in different areas including residential and schools supporting pupils on the autistic spectrum to achieve their A levels. I qualified as a Learning Disability Nurse in the year 2000 and specialised in supporting people with learning disabilities in both NHS and private hospitals. I joined Choices for Life in 2004 and particularly enjoyed the strong supportive person-centred ethos of the service that we offer. I find it to be a genuinely fun and supportive place and we have always been able to say that we put people first. I enjoy family time, walking the dog, Tai Chi, and spending time in my shed. And I enjoy the challenge of learning what people want and finding ways for them to get it.

Laura Ward

Service Manager

I have worked in the care sector for many years, starting my career as a support worker in 2002, I did this alongside my college and university studies. I then took a year out to travel the world. I have worked at Choices for Life for since 2007. I started my career at Choices as a team leader and then in 2011 was promoted to manage Choices 1 base. I love my job and find everyday fun and rewarding. I have a degree in Youth and Community development, level 4 in health and social care and I am currently studying towards a RHS certificate in the principles of plant growth, propagation, and development with a view to complete all the courses required to gain an RHS diploma in horticultural practice. I have a very keen interest in gardening, growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers, I am hoping to transfer my skills and knowledge in setting up a horticultural and wellbeing project at Choices. In my spare time I spend time with my family and friends, I like to work on my allotment plot, take our dog on long walks and look after our many other pets, we have five rabbits and seven chickens. I also love to keep fit by doing yoga, fitness classes and going running.

Carl Radford

Assistant Manager

I have worked for Choices for Life since 2008, my first position was as a support worker, and in 2021 I became the Assistant Manager, I love my job, and I believe that is because we are very person centred and always looking to ensure people who access are service enjoy their time with us. Outside of work, I enjoy socialising with my friends, and I love sports both playing and watching, and whenever possible I go to watch Nottingham Forest. I also enjoy going to the theatre and concert venues to watch my favourite comedians, artists, shows and bands.

Felix Williams

HR Manager

I have been the HR Manager at Choices for Life since 2021. I come from an NHS background, so it’s been quite a change to work at such a small and friendly company that prioritises employee wellbeing. I am passionate about promoting equality and diversity in the workplace. In my spare time I enjoy going out for meals and to clubs with my friends. I am studying for my CIPD qualification with a view to achieve chartered status and further my career. I am known for appreciating a good chat and I love listening to music, so I always enjoy my day at Choices.

Danielle Bradley-Meade

Administrator

I have been part of Choices since Summer 2017 and the role really uses my wide ranging experience. My tasks include anything from financial returns & organising invoices to legal work and communications. Researching & sourcing items for the centre is also something I do very frequently, anything from DIY materials to craft/activity supplies. My job utilises all my life/practical and academic skills that have been picked up through very varied experiences and qualifications. The atmosphere, people and activities at Choices are so diverse there’s never a dull moment. I find it such an uplifting place to be I love being able to work on my own initiative both completing routine administrative duties and helping anyone with spontaneous tasks.

Charlie Waldron

Activity Coordinator

I have worked at choices for life since 2021. I absolutely love my job and couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather work! Every day we have laughs and it’s full of smiles. I was a support worker for 6 months I then moved to be activity coordinator. I help to plan all of the activities we do here! In my spare time I like to read and see my friends. Spending time with family is what I love the most! I have completed many college courses also in my spare time!

Carla Dawes

Activity Coordinator

I currently work in the blue bubble as an activity coordinator. I really enjoy my job and seeing the people who use the service enjoy and embrace the activities on offer. This gives me great job satisfaction and fulfilment. I previously worked in a specialist college and taught cooking and life skills to adults with learning difficulties. I enjoy cooking and entertaining, and I like to travel and discover new places.

Karen Wyman

Activity Coordinator

I have worked at Choices since 2014 I started my career at Choices as a support worker and then became an activity coordinator in 2021. Before Choices I worked in small care home for people with a learning disability. I was originally employed as a cleaner and over time I found that I was more suited to helping and supporting the people who lived there, and I enjoyed making a difference. I changed my career to support worker as I decided that this was the path I wanted to take. As an activity coordinator at Choices, I love supporting people to do the activities that they choose to do either individually or as part of a group. In my home life I like to spend time with my family and love to go on long walks with my Dog. I like doing Zumba and I also run as a way of keeping fit.