Staff Spotlight: Susan Foran

Our next staff spotlight episode focuses on Client and Student Services Coordinator, Susan Foran.

Susan was born in the East end of London in the early 60s. She is the youngest of three children and 26 grandchildren on her maternal side. Susan began her career working in two London hotels after completing a Diploma in Hotel Reception, Housekeeping and Restaurant and Bar Service from Waltham Forest College. She then moved to the Harley Street Clinic as an Admissions officer in 1985.

Susan’s next career venture saw her join Bupa Hospital as Front of House Manager, followed by Front of House Manager at a local leisure centre. It is here that Susan met her now-husband Ian who have been married for nearly 29 years, having two daughters in that time.

Susan’s final front of house role saw her at the Dukes Priory Hospital in Chelmsford and after a year she then became Hospital Relations Manager. This role involved working with GP practices in the surrounding areas covering a variety of mental health issues.

Mental health awareness has always been very important to Susan. In 2018 Susan completed a skydive in the memory of a family friend who sadly took her life aged 17. The skydive, completed with her friend’s brother, was to mark her 21st birthday and between them, they raised an incredible £7,500 for two mental health charities. When asked about the amazing achievement Susan said, “I absolutely loved the skydive and would recommend it to anyone!” A year later Susan became a qualified mental health first aider.

Susan moved to Horsham in 1994 and two years later, after seeing an ad in the paper for maternity cover, joined Roffey Park as part of the Marketing department. Susan stayed in this role for 5 months due to being pregnant with her second child. After a short maternity break, in 1997, Susan was asked to come back on a casual contract to cover for the Qualifications Registrar, and never left!

Susan has been with Roffey Park ever since and has held roles in Marketing, Open Programme Bookings, Qualifications Registrar and the Client and Student Services team where she currently works today. On her role at Roffey Park Susan told us, “It has given me the opportunity to work across business streams and with some of our tailored clients, project managing their programmes.”

Whilst working at Roffey Park Susan also gained an NVQ 2 qualification in Youth Work in July 2010. As a Youth Support Worker for Horsham Youth Service as part of the Snack Wagon Detached Project, Susan ventured into nearby villages to connect with young people, build a relationship of openness and trust and help them with any challenges or issues they may have had.

Since 2015 Susan has been a member of the bar staff team at the Capitol Theatre in Horsham which enables her to continue to give back to the local community. So does her role volunteering for the Rangers Wildlife Hospital in Colgate. Susan said, “I am honoured to be able to help many varieties of wildlife on their road to recovery. Hedgehogs, badgers, ducklings, fox cubs, deer, a variety of birds, including owls, to name a few!”

In writing this episode of Roffey Park’s staff spotlight series it is hard to put into words what kind of person Susan is – it is clear as to why she is so admired amongst all of her colleagues. In speaking to others at Roffey Park, they explain that Susan really does value friendship over most and it is telling that she has created such special bonds with so many people. Loyal, caring and selfless are only a few words of the many that have been used to describe Susan. She really does put others before herself.

Susan explained that she is often asked how she manages to keep so active and motivated. Her response is, “that life is for living, it’s far too short, and we need to value every moment whilst always remembering to be kind and treat people as we wish to be treated ourselves!”

Categorised in: Company News