'True pioneer' in social care retires after 39 years working in Grantham and Bourne

A man described as a "a true pioneer for positive change" has retired after almost 40 years in social care.

John Goree celebrated his 39-year career at a retirement event with colleagues at charity care provider Ambient Support, where he was presented with special gifts, vouchers and a memory book.

John worked in both the Grantham and Bourne offices, and was commended by colleagues for his dedication and outstanding achievements.

On his four decades in social care, John, who lives in Grantham, said: "The reason I come to work every day with a smile, even when it’s difficult, is knowing that we can make a positive impact to individual lives."

John’s career in social care began in 1982 and from the very beginning he was seen as a trailblazer for change, introducing new ways of thinking and devising schemes and projects that delivered person-centered care.

Resolute that service users should always be heard and at the very heart of decisions, John introduced and ran ‘get connected’ meetings, giving people using services the chance to be involved and directly influence the care and support being provided. He also developed a team of ‘quality checkers’ who are experts by experience, that visit Ambient services to assess quality of care and give feedback from their perspective.

He has also been at the centre of pioneering the ‘positive behaviour support’ (PBS) approach to care and support at Ambient, where there are now more than 30 PBS trained coaches across the charity and training available for all staff to incorporate this approach into working practices.

In 2018 John took on the regional management of Lincolnshire. His innovations have seen him modernise the management structure improving efficiency and quality of support given to service users.

John’s team now looks after over 269 service users in the region, with every registered service in his area rated by the Care Quality Commission as 'good'.

An Ambient spokesman said: "It is no surprise that staff satisfaction in his localities rose from 82 per cent to 94 per cent in the most recent staff survey and his team have become some of the most sought-after care teams in the region."

When asked what makes someone right for a role on his team, John answered: “Courage – morals that revolve around the people we support and conviction in those morals."

Ambient CEO Mark Milton commended John for his dedication. He said: "John has continued to be a true pioneer for positive change throughout his career at Ambient and for that, we will always be grateful.

"Transforming the lives of service users with his person-centered approach by giving them opportunity and a platform to be heard.

"John has made an exceptional contribution to our national charity and the people within it, his work and tireless dedication is truly commendable."