Vanessa Scott
Family Navigator
Vanessa started her career working in sales and then moving into the world of property management in London. In the last few years of living in London Vanessa set up a local free film festival in Streatham with a group of friends and from this developed an interest in voluntary and community-led work.
In 2017 she moved to Bristol to move in with her partner and she took some time out to re-evaluate what she wanted to do. When she arrived she started volunteering for 5×15 Bristol, an event which invites speakers to talk about the work they carry out. It was here that she met the founder of Autism Independence, Nura Aabe, and was captivated by the work she was doing to support Somali families in Bristol, who have children with autism. She started volunteering for Autism Independence, which she continues to do today, and it was from this that her interest in helping to improve the lives of vulnerable people was ignited.
It was through her voluntary work with Autism Independence that Vanessa came across Healthwatch and she started her first job in Bristol with them in November 2017. She worked across various Healthwatch contracts, covering Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset and Swindon overseeing the communications and marketing before managing two of the contracts from June 2020, before joining the Catalyst family. Vanessa was also interim project manager for Voice and Influence Partnership. This was set up to work with equalities groups in Bristol and support people to share their views in local consultations, with the ultimate aim of people feeling they have a say in shaping what happens in their city.
Vanessa decided that she wanted start working directly with individuals. She had previously been involved in a Healthwatch project with The Hive Avon around reasonable adjustments, and absolutely loved working with them. In April 2021 she started doing some shift work every other Saturday at Freeways, which supports people with learning disabilities in a supported living environment. She has loved getting to know the residents and enjoys supporting them with activities and helping them lead more independent lives.
The opportunity to work with Catalyst Care Group also came up and Vanessa jumped at the chance. She is really excited to be here and hopes that her combined experience in the private and voluntary sectors can be put to good use to enhance the fantastic service we’re providing for families we work with.
Vanessa lives with her partner in North Somerset and is step mum to two amazing girls. She also has three dogs and loves going out for long rambles with them. She also loves, cycling, film, cooking and hanging out with her friends drinking cocktails!
Want to find out more about how Vanessa can help you aFamilynd the families you’re supporting? Email Vanessa on Vanessa.Scott@CATALYSTGRP.CO.UK or call her on 0345 894 2264
