Award Winner Spotlight: Meet Wilderness Way’s Central Support Champion

At this year’s Wilderness Way Awards, Jessica Harris was named our Central Support Champion. It’s a title that reflects something Wilderness Way understands well: that the quality of care children receive depends not just on the people working directly with them, but on the whole team working behind the scenes to make that possible.

Known as the friendly face of the organisation, Jess is often the first person colleagues, visitors and professionals meet. She manages the day-to-day running of reception, keeps communication flowing across the organisation and, by all accounts, makes everyone feel welcome from the moment they arrive.

When colleagues were invited to nominate someone for the award, one name came up again and again.
“The heart of a company doesn’t beat in the boardroom; it beats at the front desk. Jess is that heartbeat – the first point of contact for new employees.”
“No job is ever too small for Jess. She always has a smile on her face and welcomes everyone into Stoneybeck with chat and laughter.”

We caught up with Jess to find out more about her role and what the recognition meant to her.

How did it feel to hear your name announced?

“Genuinely overwhelming – in the best possible way. When I first heard my name, there was a moment of disbelief, because you don’t always recognise your own impact when you’re busy doing your job day-to-day. What meant the most wasn’t just the award itself, but what it represented – that the effort, care and commitment I put in had been noticed and valued.”

Tell us a little about your role and what you enjoy most about working at Wilderness Way.

“I work on reception and I’m often the first point of contact for visitors, colleagues and external professionals. My role involves welcoming people, managing calls and emails, handling administrative tasks and helping to make sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Every day is different, and I like knowing that I can help make things easier for others.”

Is there a moment from the past year that you are particularly proud of?

“Winning my award at this year’s Spring Ball. The ceremony itself was a really special occasion – it’s a moment where the whole team comes together to celebrate each other, and that means a lot.”

How do Wilderness Way’s values influence the way you work?

“Wilderness Way’s values really align with my own, especially around respect, compassion and working together as a team, and that has a big influence on how I approach my role on reception. I try to make sure everyone I interact with feels welcomed, listened to and supported, whether that’s a colleague, a visitor or someone calling in.

For me, it’s about treating people with kindness and understanding, and recognising that everyone plays an important part in the organisation. Even in a busy environment, I aim to stay calm, approachable and professional, which helps build positive relationships and trust.

The value of teamwork is also really important. I make a conscious effort to be helpful and adaptable, supporting others where I can and keeping communication clear so things run smoothly. I also think teamwork builds a strong sense of support – knowing that you can rely on your colleagues, and that they can rely on you, makes a big difference, especially on busy days. It creates a culture where people are willing to help each other and share responsibility.”

What makes the work we do at Wilderness Way truly meaningful?

“It’s the real difference it makes to young people’s lives. Even in a reception role, you can see how everything connects to that bigger purpose – every call handled, every visitor welcomed, every bit of support given to the team contributes to creating a stable environment for the young people. Seeing them grow in confidence and achieve things they may not have thought possible is incredibly rewarding. That shared goal is what gives the work real meaning.”

What advice would you give someone starting their career at Wilderness Way?

“Take every opportunity to learn and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stay organised, keep communication clear and take pride in the small things – the work behind the scenes has a big impact on how smoothly everything runs. And build good relationships with your colleagues. Working well as part of a team makes such a difference, and it creates a supportive environment where you can grow.”

A Well-Deserved Recognition

Jess’s story is a reminder that creating positive outcomes for children and young people is a team effort. While much of her work happens behind the scenes, her contribution helps keep colleagues, homes and services connected, ensuring others can focus on making a difference where it matters most.

Congratulations to Jess on a thoroughly well-deserved award. At Wilderness Way, we believe that stable, high-quality care starts with a stable, well-supported team – and Jess is a perfect example of how every role in the organisation contributes to better outcomes for children and young people.

Interested in being part of the Wilderness Way team? Explore our current vacancies.