Not all career journeys start with a plan. For Sally, it began with paper CVs, freezing commutes and a room full of filing cabinets.
From her early days in the transport industry to her leadership in prevention services and apprenticeships, Sally’s story is full of grit, growth and the people who helped her thrive, both inside and outside of work.
Sally is a project manager helping shape culture change across Rochdale Borough Council.
Every career journey is unique, can you share yours?
"I left college with fairly good GCSEs but limited success at A-Levels. Back then, people applied for jobs through the MEN newspaper and handwritten applications."
"I started out as a data input clerk in a Manchester law firm, then moved on to roles in despatch and transport coordination, where I discovered my love of problem-solving, people and planning."
"After being made redundant, I joined Rochdale Council in 2003 as an admin assistant in adult social care."
"I progressed to PA roles, first with the heads of service and then with senior directors who encouraged me to push myself and supported my growth."
"Over the years, I helped lead apprenticeships, supported emergency responses during floods and the pandemic, and managed some big preventative projects like the EASY Hubs."
"In 2024, I started a two-year secondment as a Project Manager working across two transformation programmes. One focuses on using data more effectively across the organisation. The other is all about shifting power to communities and enabling grassroots-led change. It’s a completely different world to the one I started in and I’m still learning every day."
Can you describe a moment when you felt you had truly succeeded in your role or career?
"There are a few that stand out. The apprenticeship programme I helped set up early in my time at Rochdale is something I’m still proud of."
"We gave young people varied experience across services and a strong foundation for their careers. Many of those apprentices are still here or working in other parts of the public sector."
"Receiving the Employee of the Year award in 2019 was also really special. It was for my support of young people and for guiding my team through big changes."
"The memory of walking on stage to Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay and the mayor’s chains getting tangled in the sequins on my dress, still makes me laugh."
"More recently, being trusted to lead prevention services and taking on a cross-council culture change project has shown me just how far I’ve come."
"I also helped shape the early concept and layout of the Smart House, focusing on its purpose and user experience before passing it on to my colleague Grace Parker to bring it to life and make it a fully working reality. It was a real team effort."
What’s something you’re most proud of achieving in your time at Rochdale?
"I’m proud of building teams and supporting people to grow. Whether it was guiding apprentices or helping my team adapt during periods of huge change, I’ve always tried to bring empathy, humour and direction."
"Some of that change was around assistive technology, but for others it meant learning basic digital skills from scratch."
"That was a massive shift for colleagues who had previously been in manual, care and support roles and seeing them gain confidence and independence over time was incredibly rewarding."
"My work during Covid also changed how I see the system. I realised how easily people with barriers can be failed by it. That’s where my passion for prevention and early support really deepened."
"I’m now working on projects that aim to change how we make decisions and how we empower communities. That feels like a meaningful legacy."
"At the same time, I’ve been balancing all of this with being a mum. I’ve been a single parent since my son was 6. He’s now 18."
"It hasn’t always been easy. There have been tears and tantrums (on both sides!) and plenty of juggling. But he’s grown into such a caring, resilient person with great values, and I couldn’t be prouder of him."
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your day-one self to help you succeed at Rochdale?
"Don’t be afraid to challenge, as long as your challenge is for the right reasons and you can back it up. That’s something a brilliant colleague told me years ago and it’s stuck with me ever since."
"I’d also say don’t take setbacks too personally. They happen, and sometimes they actually lead to better things."
"Keep learning, take opportunities even if they feel a bit out of your comfort zone, and know that you don’t need to rush. You’ll find your way in your own time."
"...and maybe don’t wear a sequin dress if there’s a chance you might need to hug the mayor while he’s wearing all his chains. Especially if the mayor is Councillor Billy Sheerin!"