Debbie Blowers – Manager – April 2002 – to present
I was born in London but most of my childhood years were spent in Kessingland with my mum and 3 brothers. I had a gap year on leaving school which I spent working in the social services with the elderly in Hornsey, North London. I then went on to train to be a home economist and after 4 years in London returned to Suffolk to work at Birds Eye Walls for 10 years as a Nutritionist.
In 2002 I found myself as a single parent, living in Beccles and looking for work between school hours and Bact advertised for a position which I thought would do me nicely for a couple of years! Still here and my goodness I have seen so many people, vehicles and contracts come and go! I also met my husband Simon through community transport in 2003!
It has been a very rewarding job – quite challenging at times but I am so proud of what we have achieved as a team.
I love the people you meet and it is always overwhelmingly humbling just how much volunteers give of their time and energy to bact. I can honestly say that no one day at bact is ever the same.
Beth Adams – Assistant Manager – Jan 2013 – Present
I am originally from Wales and moved to East Anglia to study at university in 1993, where I also met my husband. Having followed my husband round the country due to his work, we settled in Suffolk with our two children in 2012.
Before moving to Beccles, I was a qualified driving instructor and also had various roles working in customer service. So, when I saw the position of Transport Coordinator advertised, I thought that would suit me and applied!
I joined the bact team in January 2013 and it is a great team to be a part of. I find the job rewarding although it’s not without its challenges! I enjoy helping people in our community and I have met some lovely people, volunteers and passengers alike. Everybody, especially the volunteers, go above and beyond to help and support a worthwhile cause.
Frances Bickley – Transport Co-ordinator – September 2018 to present
I originate from the East Midlands, namely Nottingham, however I lived for some considerable time, with my husband, in Newark-on-Trent before moving to Harleston in South Norfolk in 2006 with our 2 children.
Originally, I qualified as a registered dental nurse in 1988 and practiced for several years. However, I retrained as a Teaching Assistant when my youngest child was 4, leading onto becoming a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and a PE teacher. After 20 years in primary school education, I decided that I was in need a fresh challenge.
Since joining Team Bact in September 2018, I have never looked back. I love the daily logistical challenges, supporting the local community and working with valued volunteers and colleagues that always go the extra mile to make a difference to others.
Sam Keenan – Office Administrator – Dec 2016 – Present
A local girl, Suffolk born and bred, I grew up in a small village near Halesworth. I attended local schools and college and spent the first part of my working life working for various insurance companies in the Norwich area. Working in a busy claims department soon taught me how to deal with customers, especially those that were not very happy!
I met my husband Mark while working in Norwich. After marrying in 2004 we decided to move away from the city. Back to rural Suffolk, to build a house from scratch and start a family!
I took a few years out of work to raise our 3 children, but as they grew older I decided that it was time to look for a part time job. I was aware of Bact and the great services they provided, so when I saw a job advertised I was keen to get involved and applied to join the organisation!
I find it very rewarding helping people that would otherwise struggle to access transport. The positive affect being able to get out and about and into the community has on people is immense, and I often hear the phrase “I don’t know what I’d do without Bact”.
Jane Hammond – Office Administrator – February 2019 – Present
I was brought up in Halesworth, my parents having moved down to Suffolk from Scotland when I was small. I moved to the “Saints” when I married in 1987, and still live there now with my husband and 9 year old daughter.
I have spent most of my career working in a Legal Practice in Norwich as PA to a Family Lawyer, mainly handling divorce ancillary relief work. Although the work could be highly pressured, I really enjoyed the challenges each day would bring! In May 2008 I decided it was time for a drastic change in career, so I spent the next 4 weeks in Amsterdam training as cabin crew for KLM. I really enjoyed my time in the sky, visiting some great places and meeting some very interesting people along the way. In 2012 it was time to hang up my wings and welcome our daughter into the family.
Just as I was thinking of returning to work after being a stay-at-home mum since 2012, I saw that BACT were looking for somebody to work in the office on a part time basis, and this is where I find myself now! I love being part of the BACT team for a few hours each week, especially getting to know all our passengers and helping them with their travel needs.
Chloe Andrews – Project Officer – July 2021 – Present
I was born in London and my parents moved to North Essex when I was about 4 years old. This is where I spent most of my life.
I moved to Norfolk in 2016 with my partner and youngest daughter, along with our entourage of pets! Our eldest daughter soon moved to live nearby, and we have a son in Bedford. I am also a proud Grandma to 3 amazing grandchildren.
I joined Essex Police, as a Police Officer, in 1995 and enjoyed this role for a number of years. I then worked for ‘Connexions’ in Cambridge supporting teenagers in to work and training. I worked here for several years before having our youngest daughter in 2010.
Upon our move to Norfolk, we embarked on a large house renovation project. This, on top of family commitments, has been keeping me rather busy. We are finally nearing completion which has enabled me time to take on the position of ‘Project Officer’ at bact, I am really looking forward to understanding all that bact offer in order to fulfil my new and exciting role.
Sarah Baker – Office Administrator – August 2022 – Present
I moved with my parents from Surrey to a small village just outside of Halesworth when I was 10 years old.
I went to the local schools and Lowestoft College where I undertook a secretarial course. I had various secretarial positions before settling in a very friendly GP practice before having my two children. When my youngest was three, I decided I needed to return to work and found myself gravitating back to a career within the NHS as medical secretary within a GP practice in Saxmundham, and then spent a further 13 years working again as medical secretary for an extremely busy GP practice, Cutlers Hill Surgery, Halesworth.
I enjoyed the fast-pace of work, the contact with patients and assisting the GPs to deliver the best possible service we were able to.
After a 2 year career break, I now found myself working for Bact Community Transport, taking up the post of Administrative Officer. I consider myself very fortunate to work with such a lovely bunch of people. I have only been in my position for a very short time, since the beginning of August 2022, but I already feel a part of the team and have had such a lovely warm welcome from everyone involved. I only work a few hours a week, but during this time I feel fulfilled, knowing that we are providing a very important service, connecting people to the world outside their homes, which is crucial to physical health, by the means of hospital transport and mental wellbeing for social visits and our organised outings.
