Meet the Team
Rachel Dawson's Support Space provides personalised care tailored to each individual’s needs. Our experienced team delivers high-quality, flexible support, ensuring comfort and well-being. We focus on creating meaningful relationships and offering solutions that enhance independence and improve quality of life.
Tamuka Chihota is a passionate and results-driven leader in the Health and Social Care sector, bringing extensive experience in both frontline support and corporate management. With a deep commitment to empowering individuals and fostering inclusive care environments, he specializes in leadership, policy implementation, and service user advocacy.
Previously, as Managing Director of Frontline Contracting in Zimbabwe, Tamuka played a key role in shaping strategic initiatives, overseeing corporate operations, and building strong partnerships to drive organizational growth. His dedication to excellence and operational efficiency has earned him recognition through various professional accolades.
Currently, he is furthering his academic journey by pursuing a Master's in Health and Social Care Management, reinforcing his dedication to lifelong learning and leadership development. His career reflects a strong passion for delivering high-quality care while upholding the values of dignity, inclusion, and person-centered support.
With exceptional leadership, critical thinking, and organizational skills, Tamuka continues to make a meaningful impact in the health and social care sector, driving innovation and service excellence.
With nearly a decade of social and care practice, Penny is a empathetic and caring Support Worker with a strong mental care background. She has been a valued part of Rachel Dawson's Support Space Ltd. (RDSS) for five years, providing individual care to individuals with complex mental care needs.
Prior to her work at RDSS, Penny gained a wealth of experience in field manager posts, in which she developed problem-solving, leadership, and working in a team skills. Her experience in such posts prepared her for developing a supportive and enabling environment for service users and for workers alike. Her transition to an enabling post strengthened her commitment to supporting independence and enhancing service users' quality of life even more.
Penny is best known for having a positive attitude, empathetic disposition, and an ability to build a safe and supportive environment. Her most valued skill is active listening, and she employs it to impart both emotional and pragmatic care, and in supporting service users in developing independence, confidence, and resilience.
In her position as a Senior Support Worker, Penny is most passionate about mentoring and supporting her colleagues and developing relationships with service users. She is a champion for mental wellbeing advocacy, continuous professional development, and problem-solving. Penny continues striving towards developing an environment in which everyone she works with feels heard, valued, and empowered in their wellbeing journey.
Ali Vanson is a highly dedicated support worker with nearly a decade of experience in the care sector. With a career that began in domiciliary care, Ali later transitioned into enabling services, where a passion for empowering individuals to live independently truly flourished.
For the past three years and six months, Ali has been an integral part of Rachel Dawson's Support Space Ltd. (RDSS), providing person-centered support tailored to each individual's needs. Known for a naturally warm, positive, and empathetic demeanor, Ali creates a reassuring and uplifting environment for those receiving care. A strong ability to actively listen and problem-solve enables effective support in both practical and emotional aspects, ensuring individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered.
Ali's approach is defined by a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for others, fostering independence, and offering unwavering support with professionalism and compassion.
With a wealth of experience in both frontline support and administrative coordination, she is responsible for managing staff rotas, scheduling shifts, and ensuring seamless workforce operations to maintain high-quality service delivery.
With over ten years of experience as a support worker, Eva possesses an in-depth understanding of the needs and challenges faced by individuals requiring care and assistance. Her background includes extensive training in supporting individuals with mental ill health and those with acquired brain injuries, enabling her to approach her administrative role with a strong awareness of frontline service requirements. She previously served as a Trustee for Headway Devon, further strengthening her expertise in advocacy and service coordination.
Eva has completed the Care Certificate and recently achieved Level 2 certificates in Mental Health First Aid and Adverse Childhood Experiences, reinforcing her commitment to professional development and enhancing her ability to support staff and service users effectively. Her strong foundation in care work allows her to balance operational demands with empathy and understanding, ensuring that scheduling decisions align with both staff needs and service user well-being.
Beyond rota management, Eva is responsible for a wide range of administrative tasks, including meticulous record-keeping, data management, and handling paperwork such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail make her an invaluable asset in maintaining efficiency and compliance within the organization.
In addition to her administrative and care expertise, Eva brings a creative flair to her work, having previously run a graphic design company. Her artistic background makes her highly skilled in arts and crafts, which she incorporates into supportive and therapeutic activities when opportunities arise.
Originally from Exeter, Eva has also lived in Plymouth and Leeds while pursuing her studies, bringing a broad perspective to her work. Her diverse experiences, combined with her passion for structured organization and administrative excellence, make her a key figure in ensuring the success of Rachel Dawson Support Space's operations.
Simon Edwards, a passionate and experienced individual with a rich background in both educational and support work and in the arts, was born in London. With a strong background in mentoring and in creativity, Simon developed a career path focused on supporting growth, individual development, and empowerment.
Having begun life in London working as a street artist, producing street murals, Simon then moved on to a degree in Art and then a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). This then saw him move into several years' work in and about the Exeter area, working as a cover teacher and developing a strong skill in supporting and working with a variety of students.
Outside of educational work, Simon has worked as a freelance architectural illustrator, utilizing artwork skills to interpret and present architectural and design work. In addition, a desire to shape and develop out-door spaces saw him work in a successful period in gardening and landscape design.
For many years, Simon has been involved in mentoring and supporting, working with a variety of individuals in a volunteer role. Naturally, this then developed into a career in a supporting role, and for 3½ years, Simon has been an integral part of working for Rachel Dawson's Support Space Ltd.
Known for a calm and empathetic manner, Simon is passionate about a client-focussed approach, working to make certain that each individual is supported, encouraged, and guided in a personalized manner towards realizing full potential. With a strong faith in the impact of mentorship and support, Simon continues to make a positive contribution in the lives of everyone with whom he works.
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