Interview with Su Sayer OBE
One of the best parts of my job is visiting and talking to the people we support.
What does your job entail?
I spend a lot of my time talking to government ministers, civil servants, or the regulators to try to change any policies which might have a negative impact on the people we support. But one of the best parts of my job is visiting and talking to the people we support and the staff who support them and occasionally parents, whether individuals or groups, which I always enjoy.
Why did you start United Response?
In the 1970s, adults with learning disabilities were often placed into long stay institutions miles away from their families. I wanted to set up a home in West Sussex that would mean people could stay near their families and have a normal life.
What did you do before this?
I have a degree in Chemical Physics (!) and was recruited by ICI Fibres to work in their Marketing Department. I learnt a great deal about the basics of management and, indeed, what motivates (and demotivates) people who work in an organisation. After two years I was fortunate to meet an amazing man who had set up charities all over the world and together we were able to set up United Response.
How have things changed since you started?
The biggest change has been in the way that people with learning disabilities are included in their local community. One of the tasks we had when we started was to educate people to understand what it was like to have a learning disability or to communicate in a different way. In those days, people were often very nervous just through lack of knowledge. I am a firm believer that people want to do the right thing but they don’t always have enough information.
What are you most proud of achieving at United Response?
I am very proud of the way in which, no matter how large we grow, we are still very focused on each individual, both people we support but also our staff.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope that by working closely with people themselves, their families and friends, that we will deliver really personalised support to each person which changes as people themselves change.
When you're not working, how do you spend your time?
With my family, whether it is my three sisters, my mother, my two sons or my nephews or nieces. I swim, I go to the gym and I love catching up with my friends.