Introducing Dan Perks, Family Welfare’s new Operations Manager
Since joining Family Welfare as Operations Manager at the start of August, Dan Perks’ feet haven’t touched the ground. We grabbed ten minutes with him to hear about some of the exciting projects he’s involved with, including a brand new café for families, students and business people in Leigh.
So Dan, it’s been four weeks since you joined us. What are your first impressions of Family Welfare?
Like any new role, it’s been an absolute whirlwind. This first month has flown by with meeting all the counsellors and advocates and learning about their crucial work. Although I’m not sure I’ve remembered every person’s name yet! Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful. I can’t speak highly enough of the team here. Nothing is too much trouble for anyone. It’s so refreshing to be part of such a caring team working together for the good of the local community.
What are your main responsibilities in role?
As Operations Manager, I oversee the management of our building which includes everything from ordering new signage and fitting out meeting rooms to organising repairs and maintenance. I’m responsible for making sure the building is a safe and welcoming place to work and visit, and that the communities we serve can access top quality facilities.
On the people side, I’m involved with training and development and making sure everyone has the right tools to do their job. I also work closely with our admin team to manage payroll and prepare reports for our Board and the AGM.
At the moment, a big part of my role is to get the community café fitted out and up and running. I’m recruiting for a full-time supervisor for the café and we’re working towards being open by November, which is not that far away! Overall, I’d say I’m here to help our charity run smoothly.
What can we expect from the café environment?
I can’t reveal too much, otherwise it won’t be a surprise! What I can say is that it will be a warm, safe and welcoming space for students, families and business people to relax or work. There will be plenty of soft furnishings and desks with charging points for phones and laptops. The food and drink menu will be balanced and nutritious to align with our commitment to community health and wellbeing. Food tasting day is going to be a treat!
Where did you work before Family Welfare?
I’ve come here from Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital in Liverpool where I also worked as Operations Manager, managing the logistics of the new hospital site. It was a vast role covering all aspects of back office functions like catering, porters and reception and even blood testing.
Before that, I worked in various roles in retail including HR, retail home delivery operations and store manager. All valuable experience that I will bring to my role here.
Is it true you’ve been visiting other local charities as part of your induction?
Yes, that’s right. Our Chief Officer, Stuart, took me out on a few visits to learn about their operations and see some of the systems and procedures they have in place. One of the things I’d like to do is simplify some of our paper-based processes by upgrading them to digital software, like booking meeting rooms. I think moving things online will make some tasks easier. Visiting the other charities has shown me how this can be done and helped me build new relationships at the same time.
And you’re also working closely with the college on some key changes to the building…
Yes, we share the building with the adult learning college. We are guests here so I’m liaising with the college on new signage for the building and making some changes to improve accessibility for visitors. Soon everyone will know where Family Welfare is and be able to reach us.
From four weeks to four months, what do you hope to achieve by the end of 2021?
Provided we don’t have any delays, the community café will definitely be open by that time. I hope to see the local community using the space and benefiting from its facilities, whether that’s as a place to do homework, host an informal business meeting or have lunch with friends.
I want to put my own stamp on the role and make progress on streamlining some of our systems and processes. If I can make each team member’s life just a little easier, that’s a win for me. Because if the systems behind the scenes work more efficiently, our counsellors and advocates have more capacity to support the families and children who need them.
From a personal perspective, I’m going to be a dad before the year is out so it’s going to be a busy few months!
How can people contact you if they want to know more about any of the facilities?
You can drop me an email on dperks@familywelfare.co.uk
Thank you Dan and welcome to the team!