A community Interest Company
‘Community Interest Companies’, known as CIC’s are one of the most common types of non profit organisations in the UK. They are a special type of limited company created for the use of people who want to run their business for the benefit of the community, not for the benefit of shareholders or private gain.
The founders of Tess CIC wanted to ensure that the business was run to provide the best possible service to our customers, therefore the CIC model was chosen. All income generated by Tess CIC is used to pay for the services we provide, helping us to achieve our Tess vision.
“Our vision is that those people who are under-represented in employment, and disadvantaged in our society, are valued as equals. They will share the same opportunities to fulfil their potential and lead full and varied lives following the path they choose.”
How we behave.
Our values define how we act as a company and are a core part of our belief system.
- Person-Centred: You as a customer will be at the centre of all that we plan and deliver. Our service is responsive to the choices you make.
- Empowerment: We respect your choices and you will be in control and have responsibility for decision making
- Respectful: We welcome and encourage everyone regardless of age, gender, transgender, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.
- Challenging: We challenge unfairness, inequality and discrimination by working with you to be your advocate intervening as and when necessary, and using education to break down barriers.
- Responsive, innovative, creative: We offer a bespoke service taking account of your wishes, helping you to face challenges and stretch boundaries.
How we deliver our vision.
Tess is a Community Interest Company (CIC). CIC are created for the use of people who want to run their business for the benefit of the community and not for private gain.
- To directly support the individual to maintain stability and independence in their own home
- To directly support the individual to contribute to and be a valued member of the community
- To directly support the individual to develop skills, to gain and maintain employment
- To work with schools, colleges and training organisations to ensure inclusion
- To work with employers to embrace diversity
Some of the partners and donors who
help us make a difference.
We are the directors of Tess CIC and together we have over 40 years experience of working with vulnerable people within Lincolnshire County Council. We have gained extensive experience working in the fields of learning and physical disability and mental health.
Carol Vasey
Founding Director
Jo Kirk
Director
Lauren Holden
Director
I moved with my partner from Essex to south Lincolnshire 30 years ago. We have two children who have given us four wonderful grandchildren. Grandparent-hood is a much welcomed and exciting phase of life.
I have had a variety of jobs much of them within customer service and have spent many years in business with my partner before taking a leap into the unknown and working for Lincolnshire County Councils Adult Social Care directorate. I absolutely loved it!!
During an inevitable reshuffle at LCC I was fortunate to be able to take voluntary redundancy and along with Ingrid Lyon, a like-minded colleague, and now friend, we set up our own ‘not for profit’ organisation – TESS CIC – to use our combined knowledge and passion to provide an holistic service that promotes true independence and ‘unlocks the potential’ of all those we work with.
Tess was formed in 2011 and after 12 years Ingrid took retirement from her role as register manager and Director. Ingrid can now be found following her passion, of gardening and everything eco, on our allotment in Grantham.
In 2023 two new directors joined me to continue the work of Tess CIC. I would like to introduce Jo Kirk and Lauren Holden who share the Tess ethos of promoting independence and ‘unlocking your potential’
Hi, I’m Jo and I’m one of three directors at Tess-cic. I live in a busy household with my husband, Daughter and Grandson. We also have two dogs called Luna and Boris and a cat called Layla. We as a family enjoy going for walks and family time is really important to us. I have recently become a Nannie again to a Granddaughter who was born in August from my eldest daughter.
Working in Social Care was something that I had wanted to do since leaving school but as I was young, nervous and lacked confidence I didn’t start a career until later on in life. I worked various jobs before getting married and having two daughters. Once my girls were older I started working at Sainsbury’s where I worked for 13 years. In the later years working my way up to Management. Sainsburys began restructuring Management and I decided to take redundancy and follow my dreams to work in Social Care.
I started working for Tess-cic in June 2018 and I haven’t looked back. I started as a Personal Coach then on to a Senior Member of the Team and now I am one of Three Directors of the Company. Working for Tess is a joy, supporting customers to live independently in their own homes and out Socially is rewarding. I believe that every customer we support can fulfil their dreams.
Hi I’m Lauren, I started working for Tess aged 18 in January 2014 as a Personal Coach in the Grantham area alongside continuing my studies. I found a calling in working with adults with learning disabilities and knew this was a company with values that align with my own and I wanted to work for Tess long term. I progressed to a Senior Personal Coach in 2019 before becoming a Director and Registered Manager in 2023. I would say the thing I enjoy most about working for Tess is seeing the customers achieve their goals and attending the social events where the customers can truly be themselves. In my own time, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and 2 Spaniels, Leila and Luca.
We would love to hear from you.
If you are looking for support for yourselves, or a loved one we’d love to hear from you. TESS CIC are always open to hearing from people who have values which match our own, including volunteers for our Garden Project.