From mental health to meaningful moments - celebrating our latest employee of the month

7th November 2025

When Mandy Dickson joined Autism Hampshire in March 2021, she brought with her over 30 years of experience in care.

Her experience and dedication has just been recognised with her second employee of the month award after being nominated for being ‘Always approachable. Fair. Helpful’.

Danielle Baird, Mandy’s Senior Operations Manager, said: “Mandy is very passionate about ensuring the people we support have opportunities to grow.

“She has an open door policy and is always available to listen to the people we support and her team and will always advise them with her wealth of knowledge and experience. She is always patient and constructive.

“Mandy’s consistent dedication to her teams involve coaching and mentoring, and always maintains a positive and enthusiastic approach.”

Despite her long and dedicated career, which led to her current role as a Service Manager, Mandy’s journey began unexpectedly. While working in the NHS ordering stock, a colleague encouraged her to apply for a part-time support worker role in mental health services. Mandy wasn’t sure at first, but she applied - and got the job.

Over the years, Mandy progressed through a variety of roles, managing services for people with dual diagnoses in mental health and substance abuse, victims of domestic abuse, and eventually stepping into learning disability services.

One of Mandy’s most powerful memories comes from when she helped people move into a new supported living service from residential care.

Mandy said: “There was this one autistic, non-verbal gentleman with complex behaviours, who would walk around naked when we went to visit him. Everything was locked away. He didn't have access to anything. He didn't even have a toilet roll because he would throw them all down a toilet.

“Eventually we were able to upskill him enough that we didn't have to lock things away from him. He started wearing his clothes because he knew, if he did, he was telling us he wanted to go out in his car.

“But the best thing was, I turned up there one day, rang the doorbell and he came and answered the door and invited me in. I still can't talk about it because I tear up thinking about it.

“It was just a completely different living environment for him. And just to think how he had been two years before and there he is, letting me into his house. It was lovely. So that's a memory that stays with me all the time.”

Now at Autism Hampshire, Mandy looks after four services with the same compassion and commitment that have defined her career.

Interested in joining a team that makes a positive impact?

Find out more on Autism Hampshire’s career page.