- Exploring various forms of art, such as drawing, painting, and ceramics, to nurture creativity and personal growth
- Photography
- Creative Writing
- Mindfulness Practices
- Yoga
- Passionate about balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness
- Hiking
- Crafting and DIY Projects
Valerie Horton
Creative designer
Merewether Heights,NSW
Summary
Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and project management skills. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Retail Sales Assistant
Kathmandu Outdoor Adventure Store
06.2023 - Current
- Built strong relationships with customers, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Addressed customer issues tactfully, resolving any concerns while maintaining a high level of professionalism.
- Participated in staff training sessions to enhance product knowledge and improve overall sales skills.
- Improved store appearance with effective merchandising and creative displays.
- Organized store merchandise racks and displays to promote and maintain visually appealing environments.
- Used POS system to process sales, returns, online orders, and gift card activations.
- Increased sales by offering advice on purchases and promoting additional products.
- Assisted customers with prompt and polite support in-person and via telephone.
Independent Living/Lifestyle Assistant
Self Employed
07.2018 - Current
- Supporting seniors at home, including activities enabling activities to promote emotional and physical well-being, social and community engagement
- Assisting elderly couple with dementia to remain in their home, including social & community engagement
- Assisting elderly woman with dementia and significant health problems, and her 93yr old husband with meals and domestic duties
- Supporting 46yr old gentleman with spinal chord injuries, mental and emotional support and domestic duties
- Cooking and domestic support/community engagement for elderly neighbour
Personal Assistant / Independent Lifestyle Coach
NDIS clients
04.2016 - 12.2018
- Assisting an adult client with congenital blindness to adapt to living on her own for the first time
- Administration assistance within the home and workplace including email, invoicing and document writing and editing
- Personal care, emotional support and physical well being activities including exercise, yoga and meditation
- Preparing meals, attending to her wardrobe, other housekeeping duties
- Newcastle NSW
- Wellbeing / Lifestyle Assistant
- Assist elderly gentleman with an intellectual disability in a capacity building support role
- Mentored and tutored a HSC student with Cerebal Palsy (2017)
- Assisted elderly woman with significant dementia
- Overnight, daytime leisure and craft activities
- Oversaw personal and professional calendars and coordinated appointments for future events.
- Displayed absolute discretion at handling confidential information.
- Kept detailed track of household and maintenance inventory and schedules.
- Supported client in achieving goals by proactively anticipating needs and addressing concerns promptly.
- Managed travel arrangements including flights, accommodations, and itineraries for smooth business trips.
Admin / Student Learning Support Officer
Carrington Public School
02.2010 - 12.2016
- Providing support to students with ASD, including sensory processing and behaviour management
- Administrative support to Principal and teachers
- Implemented and maintained programmes for literacy and numeracy, gross motor skills, behaviour management and other learning support programmes
- Provide one-to-one support for high needs students, behaviour management
- Liaise extensively with teachers and other support workers and parents /carers
- Complete reports, maintained records and highly confidential documentation
- NSW
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices, ensuring top-quality service delivery at all times.
- Balanced multiple priorities effectively by utilizing strong organizational skills and proactive task management techniques.
- Actively participated in departmental initiatives aimed at continuous improvement within the support function environment.
Sales and customer service
Hunter Organic Foods
05.2010 - 10.2013
- Sales and customer service
- Ordering stock/stocktake
- Daily reconciliation and banking
- Training and shop maintenance
- Provided informal coaching and support, assisting and supporting store associates in sales and customer service.
- Provided administrative support to agents, enabling them to focus on sales and customer service.
- Provided exceptional customer service, ensuring a positive experience throughout the sales process and beyond.
Student Learning Support Officer
Holy Family Primary School
03.2005 - 01.2010
- One on one support with a student with Autism, including sensory processing and socialisation support
- Implemented and maintained programmes for literacy and numeracy, gross motor skills, behaviour management and other learning support programmes
- Liaised extensively with teachers and other support workers and parents /carers
- Completed reports, maintained records and highly confidential documentation
- Administrative and record keeping duties, including reports
- Merewether
- Contributed ideas for improving the support process during team meetings, resulting in significant workflow enhancements.
- Collaborated with other teams to identify and resolve student issues quickly and professionally.
Head Receptionist /Front Office Manager
Madison Motor Inn
05.1986 - 08.1992
- Professional front-of-house reception and customer service
- Administrative support to management team
- Managed the efficient running of daily procedures in the front office
- Managed and trained reception staff
- Managed function centre reservations, conducted interviews for weddings/ functions and events to establish client requirements
- Managed off-site catering events
- Supported company initiatives by assisting in the implementation of new policies and procedures, ensuring a smooth transition for all team members.
- Provided support during high-volume periods by effectively multitasking and prioritizing responsibilities under pressure.
- Assisted in training new receptionists on company policies, best practices for optimal performance.
- Managed multiline phone systems, directing calls to appropriate personnel and taking detailed messages when necessary.
- Served as the primary point of contact for clients, providing exceptional service while addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
- Collaborated with staff members to ensure seamless communication and coordination among departments.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently managing front desk operations and addressing guest concerns promptly.
- Coordinated team meetings and events, securing necessary resources, including conference rooms and catering services.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Art - Painting, sculpture, ceramics, art theory
University of Newcastle
01.2015
Diploma of Dementia Care -
University of Tasmania
01.2022
MOOC Understanding Dementia -
UTAS Wicking Centre
01.2019
Cert III Micro Business Management -
01.2018
Skills
- Self-awareness
- Motivational skills
- Creativity enhancement
- Empathy development
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Clear communication
- Relationship building
- Verbal and written communication
- Leadership development
- Coaching and development
- Human resources
Arts And Community Engagement
- Volunteer, Community Disability Alliance Hunter, 01/01/16, 12/31/18
- Mentor, HSC Visual Arts students, 01/01/13, 12/31/14
- Artist, curator, Bunnings - Jelly Bean Sculpture Project (Department of Education), 01/01/11
- Exhibition curator, The Shed Show at Watt Space Gallery, 01/01/10
- Assistant curator (Pro bono), Watt Space Gallery, 01/01/09, 12/31/15
Professional Development
- Medical Procedures / School Support Staff, Oliver Introductory Training, 01/01/16
- CPR, Asthma training, First Aid and Emergency care, 01/01/15
- Disability Standards for Education, 01/01/14
- Anaphylaxis training for schools, 01/01/14
- SASS staff working in the library – Network day, 01/01/14
- SASS Mental Health First Aid, 01/01/13
- Understanding and Managing Behaviour, 01/01/13
- Certificate IV in Remedial Massage, 01/01/01
Interests
Timeline
Retail Sales Assistant
Kathmandu Outdoor Adventure Store
06.2023 - Current
Independent Living/Lifestyle Assistant
Self Employed
07.2018 - Current
Personal Assistant / Independent Lifestyle Coach
NDIS clients
04.2016 - 12.2018
Sales and customer service
Hunter Organic Foods
05.2010 - 10.2013
Admin / Student Learning Support Officer
Carrington Public School
02.2010 - 12.2016
Student Learning Support Officer
Holy Family Primary School
03.2005 - 01.2010
Head Receptionist /Front Office Manager
Madison Motor Inn
05.1986 - 08.1992
Diploma of Dementia Care -
University of Tasmania
MOOC Understanding Dementia -
UTAS Wicking Centre
Cert III Micro Business Management -
Bachelor of Fine Art - Painting, sculpture, ceramics, art theory
University of Newcastle
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