Meet the Phoenix Team
The Phoenix Support Team
Our History and Team
Empowering Lives Across Kent
About Phoenix Support (Please click here to read out Statement of Purpose)
Our Story
Phoenix Support began in 1988, when our founder, Lorna O'Shea, set out to provide truly personalised care in the local community. Over the years, we’ve grown and evolved — but our purpose has never changed: supporting people to live life on their own terms. The name “Phoenix” was chosen by the people we support, symbolising renewal, strength, and independence.Who We Are
Today, Phoenix Support is a family-founded organisation with over 35 years of experience. We work with adults across Maidstone, West Malling, East Malling, Medway and surrounding areas, delivering flexible, person-centred care at home, at work, and in the community.Our dedicated team brings a wealth of professional and lived experience. What unites us is a simple mission: to provide compassionate, reliable support that empowers people to live independently and with dignity.
Our Values
Respect & Dignity — recognising each person’s strengths and ambitions.
Choice & Independence — offering the right support, at the right time.
Community & Belonging — building strong connections that enrich lives.
Voice & Inclusion — inspired by the Esther model: “ No decision about me, without me.”
Employee-Owned for the Future
In 2025, Phoenix Support became an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This means the company is held in trust for its employees, securing our independence and protecting the values we have built.For the people we support, this means continuity, stability, and a stronger commitment than ever. For our staff, it means a long-term investment in their future.
Looking Ahead
As we grow, we remain rooted in the community and true to our mission. By reinvesting in our people and services, Phoenix Support will continue to provide care that makes a real difference — today and for generations to come.
No decision about me, without me.
Lorna O'Shea
Trustee
Founder of Phoenix Support in 1988, Lorna now serves as a Trustee, guiding quality, safeguarding, and co-production across the...
Michelle Latter
Trustee
Michelle is a finance professional with 40+ years’ experience across legal services, manufacturing, import/export, engineering, veterinary practices, and health....
Brendan O'Shea
Trustee
Brendan serves as a Trustee and Consultant, chairing business improvement and digital transformation. He’s been involved with Phoenix Support his...
Samantha Jane Read
Registered Manager
Samantha Read is a Registered Manager at Phoenix Support with over 19 years’ experience spanning support work, supervision, coordination, training,...
Rebecca Ablitt
Nominated Individual and General Manager
Bex joined Phoenix Support in 2015 and is now the Nominated Individual and joint General Manager. With over two decades’ experience...
Lorna O'Shea
TrusteeFounder of Phoenix Support in 1988, Lorna now serves as a Trustee, guiding quality, safeguarding, and co-production across the organisation. She set the culture we live by: treat people with dignity, offer the right support at the right time, build community, and involve people in every decision about their care. Lorna supported our move to employee ownership, keeping accountability and long-term stability at the centre of what we do. Outside work, she enjoys classic cinema, reading, and looking after her chickens.
Michelle Latter
TrusteeMichelle is a finance professional with 40+ years’ experience across legal services, manufacturing, import/export, engineering, veterinary practices, and health. As a Trustee, she focuses on strong governance, clear reporting, and decisions that put people first. Outside work, she spends time with her grandchildren, reads crime novels, and enjoys the countryside.
Brendan O'Shea
TrusteeBrendan serves as a Trustee and Consultant, chairing business improvement and digital transformation. He’s been involved with Phoenix Support his whole life starting in office admin at 14 then earned a Business Management degree (high 2:1) before returning to drive change. His focus is practical: streamline processes, modernise tools, and turn data into clear decisions, so services stay safe, efficient, and genuinely person-led.
Samantha Jane Read
Registered ManagerSamantha Read is a Registered Manager at Phoenix Support with over 19 years’ experience spanning support work, supervision, coordination, training, and leadership. Joining in 2025, she leads domiciliary services, oversees assessments and regular care reviews, and develops teams to provide consistent, person-led support. Her focus is simple: clear standards, safe practice, and involving people in every decision about their lives so the right support is in place at the right time.
Rebecca Ablitt
Nominated Individual and General ManagerBex joined Phoenix Support in 2015 and is now the Nominated Individual and joint General Manager. With over two decades’ experience across learning disability, mental health, counselling, and services for people facing substance use and wellbeing challenges, she focuses on safe practice, clear standards, and inclusive teams. Bex oversees home care services and makes decisions person-led, valuing strengths, celebrating progress, and promoting choice, independence, belonging, and voice.
Come Work With Us
We’re always looking for passionate people. Explore careers with us today!.
Partners & Accreditations
Are you looking for support?
Call us on 01622 682535
or all other enquiries email info@phoenixkent.com
(Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm)