Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Salter's Hill is a community-based charity with over 30 years' experience in working with adults with learning disabilities; I have been working with this charity for the last 4 years. 

So, here's my story... I am originally from Portugal but I decided to move to England (even though I had a job back in Portugal) because I was determined to work in a field where, when I arrived home, I would feel that I had really achieved something meaningful. 

I studied Maths, Geometry and Arts in high school as I had originally planned to become an architect. However, my circumstances changed and I ended up studying Social Education. In my last year of university, I had to choose an internship and I worked with a charity that supported people with learning disabilities in the centre of Portugal. My eyes were opened to see a whole new world, a world that is still not part of "everyone's" world in Portugal. During the time that I carried out the internship, a passion within me grew to see people with disabilities having the same opportunities and the chance to achieve things that matter to them!

After university, I lived in Italy for 2 years and when I was back in Portugal, I had to find a job which, with the economic situation, was very difficult. I was fortunate enough to find a job as a secretary, but during that year, I yearned for more... The passion that had developed in my last year of university was still there. So, I flew to England to have an interview with Salter's Hill. I had an informal visit the day before the interview and I absolutely loved all I was seeing- the respect with which staff spoke to the people they were supporting, the goals of the charity and the beautiful grounds. Even though it was a rainy day, I knew that I wanted to be part of what was happening and to be part of the team that was doing this job which enabled people to have more independence and to achieve more! So I had my interview, and on the same day that I flew back to Portugal, I received an email offering me the job as a support worker. A month after my interview I moved to England. I have been working with an incredibly caring team since then. I have seen and supported people moving into their own homes in town and have actively contributed to the community they are part of. I work with people that I trust and that inspire me every day. 

This is why I would really appreciate it if you could support me in raising money for this charity that I work with and for- a charity whose purpose is to work alongside people with learning disabilities and others who need support to develop their confidence, skills, and independence, and that promotes the rights of vulnerable people.