Spotlight on - Jay Reece-Sumner

Trainer Jay Reece-Sumner enjoys his job because it makes a difference to people's lives - including his own.

He has been a care support worker, care manager and now a professional trainer during his career.

During 10 years in the care sector "front line" he supported people, some with severe mental health difficulties, to do daily tasks and lead more fulfilling lives, just by "talking and engaging in a friendly but professional way."

That could be simply a bit of chat and banter about what was on the TV or radio as he helped them clean their rooms, which "made a small difference to their daily lives."

Now, as a senior trainer at NAPPI uk, he teaches care workers and trainers, and says "it is great seeing people progress during a training course."

"They can start the week as shy and nervous - and end up confident and outgoing. I know because that is what happened to me thanks to NAPPI uk training."

"I was once shy and retiring and not an obvious natural trainer, but training boosted my knowledge and confidence."

Jay, now 36, went into the care sector after a spell in retail, selling toys at a shop in his home city of Leicester.

"I went into the care world to get better pay but was soon won over, because I got a buzz from helping improve people's lives - not just for a momentary sale transaction but every day and longer term."

His decade as a carer included management in a holiday respite home for the physically disabled, and in a dementia service.

Jay attended a NAPPI Training of Trainer course in 2008, and joined the team two years later. He is a firm believer in the mantra "To teach it, you must believe in it."

As well as delivering the full range of NAPPI training, he teaches Safeguarding and Dementia Awareness and has also been instrumental in the development of the new specialist programme, Reducing Resistance to Essential Care.

"The trainer course really opened my eyes to a whole new world - with a greater understanding of how to teach NAPPI skills to a wide range of people who learn in different ways."

"I like to learn by doing rather than having it explained to me. Our trainers are taught to use a variety of methods to cover everyone's learning styles and keep them engaged - and give them the confidence to tailor the course to suit the client," he explained.

"Trainers need to encourage their learners, teach them new skills, but also to reinforce existing good practice and reassure them they are already doing their jobs well."

"NAPPI training is not just a tick box exercise to be done and forgotten for a year. It is a partnership and we are there for back-up support," he added.

As with all NAPPI trainers, Jay is involved in personal development, having achieved his Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS), he is undertaking his Certificate in Education and Training (CET) and BTEC Award in Promoting Positive Behaviour.

Away from work Jay lives in Wales with his partner Emma. They have five daughters between them and enjoy activities ranging from ice-skating to walking. He and his three girls also enjoy a shared love of computer gaming, particularly Borderlands on their X-Boxes, battling alien bandits and wildlife on the planet Pandora.