SeeAbility's Longest Serving Staff Member Retires After 41 Years!!
Marking A Special Achievement.jpg)
On Friday 31st August, SeeAbility said farewell to its longest serving employee, Sue Dunnipace, who takes a well-deserved retirement from her role as Finance Officer, after clocking up an amazing 41 years' service for the charity!!
In an event to mark Sue's retirement, held on 17th August at SeeAbility's Epsom Office, colleagues past and present gathered to pay tribute to Sue's valued contributions over the years and her erstwhile support.
SeeAbility's Chief Executive, David Scott-Ralphs thanked Sue for all she had done for SeeAbility and said:
'Sue will be missed as she has been a valuable source of advice and support to many people over the years'. He went on to quote an example from Tony Perkins (Deputy Manager at SeeAbility Exeter Support Service) who had praised Sue's patience and knowledge: "Without Sue's support and knowing that she was always at the end of the phone to provide a listening ear and sound advice, I may not have survived the steep learning curve in my first few months at SeeAbility".
Sue leaves SeeAbility with good wishes and thanks from colleagues past and present and from the people who use SeeAbility services.
Recalling History - In Her Own Words
In a career spanning 1962-2007, Sue has experienced and contributed to great change in the charity and before leaving shared some of her abiding memories of her time with SeeAbility:
How It All Started
"I found the job at SeeAbility through the Youth Employment Office in 1962 after I left school at the age of 14. I was sent directly for my interview with a Miss Murry in the 'Big House' in the grounds of The Royal School for the Blind (now SeeAbility). I was offered the job as Office Junior at £3 per week (my bus fare was 10 shillings a week) but I could not start for 6 weeks until I reached the age of 15".
The Early Years - Being Versatile
"Back in 1962 my role involved a lot of the work that goes on in finance today. However it also involved fundraising administration and covering the switchboard when the visually impaired telephonist was either on holiday or at lunch".
"I also had to make the Principal's tea. I hated this because he had a black Labrador dog, called Jumbo who used to jump up at me - - how I never dropped the tray I will never know. I also had to walk the dog at lunchtimes or rather the dog walked me!! When the secretary was on holiday I had to cover her role which I disliked because in those days a dictaphone was used and as the Principal's speech was not clear I was forever rewinding the tape to try and understand the words."
"In the early years office staff were expected to escort the residents on their yearly trip to the seaside - - this could be fun but hard work escorting and supporting 4 people. I also used to come back some evenings to the assist with the Record Club which was held on Thursday nights. This was a bit of a rush because I did not have a car and had to bus everywhere. I would get home at 6pm then have to leave again at 6.30pm to get back. The club finished at 10pm as in those days there was a curfew for the residents. I remember on one occasion Max Bygraves visited to give a performance. Not really my cup of tea at that age, but the residents loved it".
"One year there was a serious bout of flu and we had to go over to the kitchen in the main building and deliver meals to the hostels (where the residents lived). In those days everyone had to muck in, you could not say 'no, that is not my job'".
Change
During the late 70's/early 80's the building at Leatherhead underwent great change, as did the philosophy of the support provided. The building was refurbished to provide small modern living environments and people were encouraged to make choices and become more independent.
"People used to live in hostels that were more like dormitories, approximately 27 residents to a hostel. The men and women were separated at either end of the building. Ages ranged from 16 to 90 years. The living standards the residents enjoy today are fabulous compared to then".
"The lady in charge of the accounts department purchased all the clothing from a London Warehouse, with no choice offered in those days. Looking back the residents seemed fairly happy and although the provision of 'choices' was good for some, the process of change was too fast for others".
Royal Patronage
"I remember the first Royal visit we had when Princess Marina was our patron. Being so young I was not allowed to be involved."
Some time later when Princess Diana was our patron, SeeAbility were given invitations for two residents and their escorts to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. The two residents were asked who they would like to escort them and I was chosen together with the Clerk of Works. I remember the weather was very hot, but it was a very nice experience and an enjoyable day."
"Princess Diana as our patron visited SeeAbility on three occasions, on 2nd November 1982, 4th December 1984 and the last visit being on 17th January 1995. The first visit was a formal visit where we had lots of security including sniffer dogs - one sniffed out my Mars bar and ate it! The second visit was less formal and the third visit was very informal at Diana's request. As she wandered around the building, Diana spoke to me and asked what went on in our office. When we said that's where the money is handled; she responded that she was not allowed to carry any money".
Weddings & Funerals
"In 1985 we were having a new switchboard installed by BT and that engineer then became by husband. SeeAbility has a lot to answer for!
We had a chapel at Leatherhead until 2000 and many residents were married in the chapel. Also on sadder occasions funerals took place, both residents and staff. For many years Christmas Carol services were held there".
Fire & Armed Robbery
"In the late 1980's there was a major fire affecting the whole of one side of the building where the Finance Department was situated. This caused a lot of damage, and we were relocated to the other side of the building whilst repairs took place. Fortunately although this happened in the early hours of the morning, no residents or staff were injured.
In 1990 the Finance Department were subject to an armed robbery. There was building work taking place at that time, so to see someone unknown in the building was not unusual. However a man walked into the Finance Office, shut the door and pointed a gun at the staff and told them to lay on the floor and not look. I was under the table, trying to peek but could not see anything. The man took the contents of the safe which was a cash box and pension books. Fortunately there was not a lot of cash as Securicor were delivering the next day. I remember that the staff and residents on one particular flat were very compassionate and sent flowers individually to Finance staff to cheer them up. After this Finance became like Fort Knox with security systems".
The Latter Years
"Moving to Epsom in 2000 was very sad as I no longer had the daily contact with residents. At Leatherhead, I could have told you every resident and staff member's name and I miss that contact. What I do like about Epsom is the open plan office instead of being closed away in an office as we were at Leatherhead".
Farewell - - or Is It Au Revoir!!
"I am going to miss everyone at SeeAbility even those I have never met because I have talked to so many people on the telephone with lots of friendly banter. I feel that there is now an open friendly atmosphere to work in and I feel honoured that staff feel that they want to talk to me and let me help solve their finance queries.
After 41 years at SeeAbility (with a short break for child care - it would have been 45) I think I deserve a rest, but BEWARE you may see me back on Bank staff"!
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