Meet the team
Jake
Hello and welcome to the Y.E.S “Meet The Team” page. My name is Jake, and I was lucky enough to be in a position to help turn Y.E.S – Your Enabling Service from Rachel’s self-employed passion project, into a multi-employee company providing care to a range of people in need in the Exeter area. But care was not where I started…
I started my career when I studied plumbing at Exeter College for two years obtaining my Level 2 NVQ. But, unfortunately, I felt that plumbing was not the right choice of career path for me. After stints in retail and catering I landed a brilliant job in the motor trade. Being told throughout my life that I have “the gift of the gab”, I was very good and selling cars. I built great relationships with my customers and I enjoyed the camaraderie of working with in a sales team, but there was something missing.
One afternoon I was talking with Rachel, my Mother, about how her role as a self employed personal care assistant was going. The primary point of discussion was around how highly in demand services for care were, she was having multiple calls asking about her availability. I replied with a throwaway comment of, “why don’t you turn Y.E.S into a business and hire more people to help with the demand of support required”.
“I can’t Jake, I wouldn’t have time to support all the clients and be able to run a team of carers as well. Why don’t you do it?” Was her throwaway response.
I kept thinking more and more of what a great idea this could be, I felt so stagnant selling cars, I wanted to make a difference and thus, Y.E.S – Your Enabling Service, the family run enabling business, was born.
I can’t put into words how delighted I am of our care team. Myself and Rachel are so proud to be working with such caring, hard working individuals. The dedication, enthusiasm and passion they put in everyday to better the lives of their clients is inspiring.
Rachel
Hello, my name is Rachel. I have worked within the care industry for over 20 years! My passion for care started with me completing a Social Community Care Course at Exeter College where we were provided work placements within the community to learn valuable experience. One of my most enjoyable memories of these work placements was in a nursing home where I greatly enjoyed talking with, listening to and caring for the residents. Once my placement was finished I was delighted to be offered a full time position that I gratefully accepted.
Following my work in the nursing home, I pursued my passion for care further, where I became a full time Auxiliary Nurse on the Cardiac ward of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. Working as a nurse was years of vital experience toward excellent patient care and having a better understanding and appreciation for patient struggles while simultaneously maintaining calm, patient and professional in a high pressure environment.
After working in the hospital I took a career break to focus on raising my family (which is a high pressure environment itself!). When my children were a little older and in school, I wanted to use my spare time to learn something new and open myself up to part-time work opportunities and push myself further. I gained qualifications in IT and Accounts, really enjoying the challenge, resulting in part-time positions of accounting and IT support. As much as I enjoyed these roles, and meeting some lovely people along the way, I knew my heart lay in care.
As my children were all becoming independent I applied, and was successful, in obtaining a position working in the community as an enabler for vulnerable adults. I loved my new job, and through consistency, reliability and being sensitive to my clients needs, I very quickly managed to develop healthy, trusting relationships.
During this time it was apparent there was a high demand for enablers to support people with a wide range of care requirements across all age groups in my local community. Therefore, in 2017, I made the leap of going self-employed and set up Y. E.S – Your Enabling Service. The demand for care and support services was instant and all my available working hours were snapped quickly. The difficulty of turning people away was so hard, but after discussing this with my son, Jake, he was able to step in and turn Y.E.S into a family run business.
Teresa
Hello, my name is Teresa, I joined the Y.E.S team in March 2020. I have worked in catering for the last 20 years and, honestly, working in the care industry is something I had never thought of pursuing, but I reached a point in my life where I needed a change, to take a leap of faith and jump into something new.
There’s plenty of great things about this job, I’m learning something new everyday, I’m guaranteed no day is the same and the best thing about this role is that I can still utilise my main passion by using my catering knowledge to plan and cook healthy nutritional meals with my clients.
Aimee
Hello, my name is Aimee and I began my journey with Y.E.S in May 2021.
After leaving school I didn’t know what career path I wanted to take. I studied tourism and finance but both meant sitting at a desk all day which just isn’t me. I then worked in retail for six years and particularly enjoyed meeting lots of interesting people and would tend to spend most of the day chatting to customers and getting to know them.
When the pandemic hit I knew it was the right time to change careers. I decided that enabling would be perfect because I love people and making a positive impact to others lives. I have found my purpose with Y.E.S. and have learnt so much. I am excited to continue growing with the team, meeting new people and making positive changes in their lives.
In my spare time you’ll find me out in the countryside with my two springer spaniels, Maddie and Fig. I also help with fundraising and volunteer my time to my local Lions International Club for various local community projects.
Sarah
Hello, my name is Sarah, I’ve been working in the care industry for over 16 years with my experience ranging from supporting clients in care homes, out in the community and in their own homes, a career path that I have found incredibly rewarding.
My main passion that has driven me in my career in care is making a difference in peoples lives, whether that be dealing with complicated challenges or simply putting a smile on someone’s face, every positive change I can make guarantees every day worthwhile.
I joined Y.E.S in early 2022 after taking time away from work to care for my own husband who was terminally ill with cancer. After he passed away I needed a new start and I’ve been welcomed in to a very friendly and professional team. I’m really enjoying continuing to meet new people, help them with their day to day needs and continue my passion of making a difference in peoples lives
Rosa
Hello, my name is Rosa and I joined the Y.E.S team in February 2023. After finishing my education, I was unsure of what career path I wanted to take, but I knew I had a passion for helping others.
Since leaving school, I have worked within the hospitality industry for over 8 years, however, I knew that my future lay in the support of others after the gratification I experienced through my volunteer work at the local youth centre. Here I gained the experience, but more importantly, the confidence, to take the leap into the a role within the care industry.
Working for Y.E.S has given me the opportunity to utilise the skills and experience I have learnt through my work in hospitality and volunteer work and galvanise it with my passion for helping others. I am really looking forward to the rewarding job satisfaction I will receive from making a positive impact on as many peoples lives as I can.
Dave
Hi! My name is Dave, I am a recently retired Registered Mental Health Nurse with 26 years of experience in acute and community settings working with young people and their families. Prior to qualifying as a nurse, I worked as a nursing assistant and in enabling for social care.
I really enjoy working with people and, despite my retirement, I wanted to continue contributing to the care industry by utilising both my skill and passion for supporting and empowering others by joining Y.E.S is a part time capacity. This way I can continue the job satisfaction I receive in helping clients moving their lives in a positive direction.
Outside of work I enjoy travelling and spending time with my family.
I also compete in ultra distance bicycle events as well as sea swimming and running.
Nichola
Tracey
Julie
Hello, my name is Julie, I joined YES in October 2024.
I completed my education at Paignton Community College and following that
I began my career as an apprentice hairdresser. I attended Torquay Technical College as a day release student, and completed my City and Guilds qualifications in Hairdressing.
After working in a salon for four years, I decided to set up on my own as a mobile hairdresser, covering Paignton, Torquay and the South Hams area, and have always considered myself to be a people person who enjoys bringing happiness to others.
Upon reaching 40 years of age, I felt that I needed to broaden my experience by working with, and helping, others. I worked with Age UK for 7 years as an Enabler, providing support to individuals in the community and in their own homes. Following on from that, I also worked in Care Homes providing a range of services for people needing support and care in residential accommodation.
I enjoy making a difference to peoples lives and get great satisfaction from helping and supporting others. I love interacting with people, and in general people seems to love me too!
I am a Mother of three (now grown up) children, and a Grandmother of 5!
Kate
Ashlin
Hello, my name is Ashlin and I joined Y.E.S in August 2025.
I first got into the care industry 6 years ago. Being young I didn’t know what to expect and with it being my first ever care job I was also scared. However, that quickly changed when I realised that this was my calling, and I could not ever see myself working in another industry.
During my time in care I acquired an NVQ level 3 in adult care which has helped me to further understand and better my knowledge within the role.
Making a profound difference in someone else’s life provides me with such a sense of achievement, which is truly a great feeling. I love being able to help people achieve their goals no matter how small and enable people to visit and see places they wouldn’t usually be able to do on their own, due to life’s challenges.
Outside of work I love spending time with my family and friends and going on holiday.