A Cumbrian charity has revealed it has plans to expand its services so it can help more adults with learning disabilities live independent lives.

Chrysalis has ambitious plans to broaden its approach next year and has embarked on a recruitment drive to find key people to join its leadership team to help it develop the strategy.

The Wigton-based charity is looking for a Finance Manager, Operations Manager and a secretary to support the management team.

Claire Doherty, chief officer of Chrysalis, says the charity is focusing on growing its services after a restructuring earlier this year and its board has agreed plans for some innovative developments in 2022 that will enable Chrysalis to build on its success in supporting adults in Wigton, Carlisle and north Cumbria.

“This really is an exciting time for Chrysalis and we are very much focused on refocussing after the pandemic and broadening our services.

“But our first task is to find these three outstanding individuals to complete our new leadership team who will help turn these plans into action,” Claire said.

“The Finance Manager role is a really exciting position that is much broader than just a finance role. This person will play a key part in developing our strategies and alongside the Operations Manager will help turn these strategies into reality.

“We are looking for experienced managers who can ignite people’s passions and inspire our staff and the people we support.

“Chrysalis is all about changing people’s lives and giving people as much independence as possible so it is vital that we get the right people for these three roles because they will be the driving force to help us grow and deliver more flexible support to a wider range of people.”

Chrysalis currently has 63 staff who help the charity support 70 adults and is rebuilding its team of volunteers following the pandemic.

The support people to be more independent - whether that’s making a sandwich, pre-employment activities or simply brushing their hair - makes a huge difference, something that is underlined by the many letters Chrysalis gets from local families.

One recent letter said: ‘Thank-you to everyone at Chrysalis who helped our son through a difficult time. The warmth and care you gave him allowed him to feel happy and safe despite all the huge adjustments he was going through. As his family, we will be forever grateful.’

And one adult showed how grateful he was when he said: “It's brilliant coming to Chrysalis I see my friends and learn new things - I can use my tablet computer now.”’

Claire is hoping that after the trials and tribulations of the pandemic she can now look forward to some exciting developments for Chrysalis in 2022.

“This really is a key time for us and we need to find people for these positions to help us to move forward with our plans,” she said.