Staff have said an emotional farewell to one of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Children’s Centre co-ordinators who has retired after more than 31 years of helping families in the community.
Mary Paisey, from the Bath East Children’s Centre, began her career at the age of 17 – as a nursery nurse starting a two-year training course at Riverside Day Nursery. In November 1974 she left to have her first daughter, and when she returned to work in June 1982 the nursery had moved from Riverside to the purpose-built Bathwick Day Nursery.
In 1996 Mary became deputy manager at the Cornmarket Family Centre, run by Social Services, which moved to Elliot buildings at Frome Road in 2000, which is now the Threeways site in Odd Down Bath.
In 2002 Mary moved to Centre 69 in Weston and took over the role of manager at the purpose built Waterside Family Centre in 2005, which was renamed Walcot Children’s Centre two years later, with Mary still at the helm as Children’s Centre Co-ordinator.
The last leg of Mary’s career journey included a final move from Walcot Children’s Centre to Parkside Children’s Centre in June 2010.
Lesley Jones, a retired colleague and friend, said: “Mary has always been unflappable, flexible, loyal and trusted by her team and families. She has a great sense of humour and a brilliant ‘can do’ attitude, very often at a minute’s notice!
“Many families have succeeded because of her strengths, honesty and a belief that with the right support families can change. She can see when a member of staff has a particular strength and has helped them play to that strength. Mary has given many years to the families and to Bath & North East Somerset Council and is to be congratulated on all that she has achieved for the families and the Children’s Centre service.“
