My Story – Ron Chiwome
My journey to this role began in Zimbabwe, a land of beautiful landscapes and wildlife. I was raised in a family of five siblings. Emmanuel Chiwome, my father, was a professor of African Languages & Literature at the University of Zimbabwe. My mother was an educator specialising in nutrition, fashion, and fabrics.
Journey to the UK
In my early twenties, I found myself drawn towards the field of mental health. However, mental health was a field often misunderstood in my home country. This interest led me to the UK to study as a Mental Health nurse at the University of Southampton. Unfortunately, not long after my graduation, I faced a personal tragedy with the passing of my father and, later, my mother. As the eldest sibling, I shouldered the responsibility of supporting my young siblings.
Entering the workforce was challenging, particularly as my first job was at Broadmoor Hospital, one of England’s high-security psychiatric hospitals. I quickly found myself in the deep end of managing high-risk patients and learning to handle crises, consequently gaining invaluable experience in forensic mental health.
After two years, I joined a private healthcare company working with NHS Mental Health patients. Primarily assisting patients with transitioning from hospital to the community. During a surprise audit from the CQC, I stepped up to the challenge, resulting in a well-executed inspection that led to my promotion to a management position.
The Next Chapter
Life brought further changes as my wife, and I welcomed our first child. With my family growing, I made the decision to relocate closer to them and as a result, joined a Mental Health service provider in London. I took charge of 24-hour & Supported Housing Accommodation projects, striving to balance my work responsibilities and family commitments.
In pursuit of personal growth, I decided to renew my nursing qualifications. at the same time, I joined AGS Support as a Safeguarding Officer, predominately working night shifts at a women’s complex needs facility. Recognising my potential, Richard, the founder of AGS Support, promoted me to Operations Manager after just three months.
My role as Operations Manager was met with unprecedented challenges with the onset of the pandemic. I was tasked with ensuring clients had the staff they needed. The real test came when the government requested AGS Support to open COVID hotels for rough sleepers. Despite the enormous pressure, we successfully opened multiple hotels, leading to a recommendation from the Deputy Mayor of London.
Following these achievements, Richard promoted me to my current role as Director of Operations. Overseeing everything from AGS Support’s staffing services to client relationships, using my leadership skills and specialised experience to navigate the complexities of the role. I thoroughly enjoy being a leader, relishing the opportunity to support others and solve problems.
I look forward to working with you,
Ron Chiwome – Director of Operations
Find out more about the rest of the team