Stephen is a values-driven leader with a deep commitment to social impact and person-centred care. As Managing Director of You First Support Services, he oversees strategic direction, operational excellence, and the continued growth of services that empower adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. With a background spanning frontline support, service development, and senior leadership, Stephen brings a wealth of experience and a hands-on understanding of the sector.
He is passionate about creating meaningful change through collaboration, innovation, and a relentless focus on quality. Stephen believes that true transformation happens when people are heard, supported, and given the tools to thrive. Under his leadership, You First continues to champion dignity, inclusion, and independence—putting people at the heart of everything it does.
Jade brings over 14 years of experience in adult health and social care to her role as Director of Care at You First Support Services. Her career spans a wide range of services and leadership roles—including Support Worker, Registered Manager, Health Coordinator, and Operations Manager—across respected organisations such as the National Autistic Society and Leonard Cheshire Homes.
Jade is deeply passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred care and championing the rights of individuals. She believes in empowering people to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives on their own terms. As a proud neurodiverse professional, Jade leads with empathy, authenticity, and a commitment to inclusion. At
You First, she plays a key role in shaping care delivery that is innovative, responsive, and rooted in the voices of the people we support. Her leadership reflects the organisation’s core values: putting people first, embracing diversity, and striving for excellence in everything we do.
Sarah is a dedicated Registered Manager at You First Support Services, bringing a wealth of experience and a calm, compassionate approach to her leadership. With many years of experience across diverse health and social care environments—from acute settings to community-based services—Sarah is passionate about supporting individuals with learning disabilities, mental health needs, and complex support requirements.
A strong advocate for person-centred care, she is committed to ensuring that the support we deliver meets the same high standard she would expect for her own loved ones.
“As a Registered Manager at You First, I am committed not only to the people we support but to our incredible team. I take great pride in fostering professional growth, building confidence, and enabling others to thrive—because strong teams are the foundation of truly impactful care.”
Bex Symes brings over 15 years of dedicated experience in the Health and Social Care sector. She began her career as a Care Assistant in a residential home, supporting individuals living with dementia and those receiving end-of-life care. Alongside her frontline role, Bex pursued full-time study to achieve a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care Management, paving the way for her progression into leadership.
In 2014, Bex became a Registered Manager and was honoured with the Home Care Manager Award for the South West region—a testament to her commitment to excellence in care. Her career has since spanned key positions, including Team Leader, Care Coordinator, Regional Manager, Business Support Manager, and Operations Manager.
Bex is passionate about fostering inclusive, high-quality care environments and upholding the highest standards of compliance. Her leadership style blends professionalism with heartfelt empathy, ensuring that both the people supported and staff feel valued and empowered. Would you like me to help unify the tone across all leadership bios for your website or internal materials? I can also create a short-form version for social media or spotlight features.
Driven by a lifelong dedication to the care sector, Kate has cultivated a diverse career spanning mental health nursing, dementia care, and Rapid Response—each role shaped by her unwavering belief in person-centred practice.
“I am endlessly curious and passionate about learning. Working for You First feels like coming home. The organisation’s values resonate deeply with my own, and being part of this team fuels my sense of purpose and belonging. Beyond my professional life, I find joy in renovating houses. Family time is my grounding force, and it reminds me daily of the power of connection and empathy.”
Kare’s approach blends clinical expertise with heartfelt compassion, making her a powerful advocate for inclusive, responsive care. Her presence at You First strengthens the organisation’s commitment to dignity, empathy, and continuous learning.
Trevor operates behind the scenes with quiet precision, overseeing pensions and payroll to ensure the organisation’s financial sustainability. With a sharp eye for detail and a steadfast commitment to integrity, he plays a vital role in maintaining the systems that allow care teams to flourish.
His work may be behind the scenes, but its impact is felt across the organisation—supporting stability, trust, and the smooth delivery of care.
Lindsey is a dedicated and compassionate Registered Manager, leading the delivery of complex, community-based care for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. With a strong background in adult social care and a passion for person-centred support, she ensures that every individual receives safe, responsive, and empowering care tailored to their unique needs.
Bringing years of frontline and leadership experience, Lindsey is committed to upholding the highest standards of quality, compliance, and dignity in care. Her approach reflects the core values of You First Support Services—placing people at the centre of everything we do.
.Mimi is a driven and detail-oriented Business and Finance Apprentice at You First Support Services. She supports the finance team with day-to-day operations, helping to ensure transparency, accuracy, and efficiency across the organisation’s financial processes.
Passionate about learning and growth, Mimi brings fresh perspective, enthusiasm, and a commitment to excellence as she develops her skills in social enterprise finance. In addition to her finance role, Mimi also creates much of the organisation’s social media content—blending creativity with strategic communication to amplify You First’s values and impact.
Jack Donavan operates behind the scenes at You First Support Services, bringing expertise across financial processes, payroll systems, and IT infrastructure. With a laser focus on efficiency and reliability, Jack plays a critical role in ensuring the organisation’s systems run smoothly—safeguarding accuracy and enabling seamless service delivery.As Business Support Manager, Jack’s process-driven mindset and professional approach make him a trusted anchor for both internal teams and external partners. Whether fine-tuning digital workflows or troubleshooting tech hiccups, he’s all about creating smarter, smoother ways of working.
Steph Griffiths proudly holds the title of longest-serving team member at You First Support Services, with over a decade of dedication. Before joining You First, Steph brought her signature organisation and kindness to the NHS—working as a Medical Secretary at Frome Victoria Hospital and later Yeovil District Hospital.
In her current role, Steph keeps our financial wheels turning, managing invoicing, credit control, and ensuring new team members feel welcomed and supported from day one. She’s the friendly face behind our onboarding process and the go-to for smooth operations.
Known for her approachable nature and can-do attitude, Steph brings a wonderful blend of efficiency, empathy, and good humour to everything she does.Would you like a short-form version for internal spotlights or social media? I can also help create a consistent layout across all bios for your website or staff directory.
Our team delivers person-centred support that empowers adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs to live full independent lives.
