“Inspired by my own experiences and experiences in care work I have written and researched successful funding bids for numerous projects and have set up and run events and groups for people with diverse needs. Inclusivity and accessibility are central aspects of all my work. I am an established photographer and have run several successful businesses. I have great passion and enthusiasm for people and ideas and I enjoy working both by myself and collaboratively to find dynamic and practical solutions to the obstacles we can all face in the systems we find ourselves in. “
Contact details: akittsharp@gmail.com
Work History:
Grow Your Life – People into Permaculture Project
August 2023 – present
Project Manager – Grow Your Life is as much about how it feels to live in your living room as it is about how it feels to live in your community. We work with marginalised LGBTQIA+ groups with neurodiversity, and disabilities and on low income…
https://growyourlife123.wordpress.com/
Magnetic Ideals / Member and Equalities Consultant
June 2015 – present
Consulting on disability and neurodiversity in community projects. Reuben provides consultancy to and through Magnetic Ideals on community project accessibility with regards to disability and neurodiversity.
Personal Assistant / Possability People
November 2011 – September 2020 (9 years)
Working with a client with Huntington’s disease. Managed complex dietary requirements over the years. This included a combination of tube feeding into the stomach as well as the mouth. Organised activities indoors and outdoors, implemented physiotherapy plans. Every aspect of personal care and managing money. Make and design communication plans, find creative ways to enhance their well being and mood. Worked alongside and in conjunction with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers and nutritionists. Hospital visits, both short and long term. Mental health support and monitoring. Worked very closely with family as his main out of hours care support. Find creative ways and use a communication plan to find out what their wishes were.
Personal Assistant / Private Client
October 2013 – October 2017 (4 years)
Working with a client with Ataxia-Telangiectasia. Tube feeding but when eating was possible lots of tailored food and menus, cooked very specific meals and designed high-quality menus. Carrying out every aspect of personal care. Working closely alongside the client and his family. Help find support and encourage finding and doing indoor and outdoor activities, planning logistics, helping support the everyday experience to be more interesting, fun, pleasant and relaxed. Entirely client-centred and guided by the client. House and garden maintenance, handling and recording money.
Director / Magic Bean Cafe
June 2018 – July 2019
Founder of a vegetarian community cafe in a local children’s centre.
Founder / No Holds Barred
April 2014 – June 2019
Founded an all abilities arts, circus and photography intersectional disability and marginalised groups’ collaborative cooperative activities and events charity. I worked strongly within the neurodiverse communities, with people with learning disabilities and people with mental health issues.
Dada ABC / English Tutor
Nov 2017 – April 2018
Teaching English to children in China full time in schools. Setting homework tasks helping further development outside of class, developing teaching materials for lessons.
Self-Employed / English Tutor
June 2015 – January 2016
One to one tutoring adults and children, online and in person, setting homework tasks to help further development outside of the sessions, adapting to each client’s needs and using creative methods to assist learning
Private Clients / Personal Assistant
Sept 2007 – June 2015
One-to-one personal assistant for a quadriplegic client and a client with Huntington’s disease. These roles involve personal care, reading, writing, note-taking, house maintenance, preparation of food and meeting basic day-to-day care needs.
Freelance Photographer
2007 – present
Liaising with clients, managing personal accounts, invoicing, tracking expenses, photographing weddings and portraiture primarily and requiring much emphasis on organisation.
Pioneer House / Care worker and Activities Coordinator
2003 – 2006
Large residential respite centre for 70 clients. 12 clients on average coming in on a weekend, 5 key worker responsibilities. For a very wide variety of needs adults with learning disabilities with wide ranging physical and mental health needs, working alongside multiple professionals designing care, support and activity plans. Staff meetings, personal care, medication rounds, handling and recording money, paper work, following policies and procedures.
Care Co-ops / Activities Coordinator
2007 – 2008
Ran outdoor activities for adults with learning difficulties, tuition experience instructing others and a focus on development of gardening skills.
Brighton & Hove / Personal Assistant
2003 – 2006
Training and development of allocated key clients including both adults and children with learning and physical disabilities, involved working within various education centres, including care work, planning and implementing group work activities.
Caring for China’s Children / Support Assistant
2003 – 2006
Working with orphaned children from ages 0 to 14 years old, leasing within a large team including physiotherapists, doctors and nurses. Heavily worked with a 4-year-old with hydrocephalus and learning difficulties, implementing a personal development programme.
Thurrock College / Classroom Support
1999 – 2000
Working with a wheelchair user with recurring heart problems and cardiac arrests, addressing frequent emergency medical situations and supporting with his work in class