We are delighted to welcome Patrycja Severs to the Green Light team.  Patrycja joined us in October 2024 from Leonard Cheshire, a charity which provides care and support for people with disabilities to help them live independently and participate fully in society.  With her strong background in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and her passion for supporting individuals with autism and learning disabilities, Patrycja brings invaluable experience and dedication to her new role at Green Light. We are thrilled to have her on board.

Q: Can you tell us your name and what your role is at Green Light?

A: My name is Patrycja Severs, and I’m a Behaviour Analyst at Green Light.

Q: Where are you from, and where do you live now?

A: I’m originally from Poland and moved to the UK in 2013. I currently live in Newquay, Cornwall, which I really enjoy for its beautiful outdoor spaces.

Q: What’s your educational background?

A: I have an academic background that’s focused on language and behaviour. I hold two Master’s degrees from Queen’s University Belfast and University of Reading. The first is an MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), which I completed in 2021, and the second is an MSc in Language Sciences, completed in 2017. Prior to that, I earned a Master’s degree in Classics from the University of Reading in 2014 and a BA in Classical Philology from the University of Gdansk in 2012.

Q: How did you hear about Green Light?

A: I found Green Light’s website while looking for Behaviour Analyst roles in Devon and Cornwall. Their values and focus on person-centred support really resonated with me, so I wanted to be a part of their team.

Q: What made you decide to work for Green Light? 

A: I was drawn to Green Light because of their values-led approach and their focus on providing person-centred support for individuals. They also offer great induction training, and the team is very supportive, which made the decision easy. I knew it was the right place for me to contribute and grow.

Q: Can you tell us about your experience working with autism and learning disabilities?

A: I’ve been working in this field since 2017, supporting both children and adults with autism and learning disabilities in different settings. This includes special needs schools, home-based ABA programmes, and adult care settings like residential homes and supported living environments. My work involves creating and implementing behaviour support plans, improving communication, and teaching daily living skills to increase independence.

Q: What does your role as a Behaviour Analyst involve?

A: My role is centred around developing and delivering services that use Positive Behaviour Support, ABA and Active Support to help people with disabilities live more fulfilling lives. I conduct behavioural assessments, develop support plans, and work with team members and families to implement strategies aimed at reducing challenging behaviours and building skills. I also lead training sessions for staff in areas such as autism awareness and positive behaviour support.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A: I love spending time outdoors, especially watching for animals when I’m out exploring. I’m passionate about sports and nutrition, and I enjoy exercising. I also love spending time with my family and constantly learning new things—there’s always something new on my bucket list!

Q: What’s on your bucket list?

A: My bucket list is pretty long, but one of the top things I’d love to do is go shark cage diving in Australia. It’s been a dream of mine for a while!

Q: Do you have any special skills or hobbies that people might not know about?  

A: I’m very interested in learning new languages and, of course, I love animals. I’m also really into sport and nutrition, and I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself and keep growing.

Q: Who would you say is your hero or heroine?

A: My mum is definitely my heroine. She’s always been incredibly supportive, teaching me life lessons and showing me how to give my best in everything I do.

Q: How would you sum up your personality in three words? 

A: I’d describe myself as compassionate, enthusiastic, and hard-working.

Q: Lastly, what do you most love about your profession?

A: I love seeing the positive impact of our work. Helping individuals become more independent, improving their quality of life, and knowing I’m making a difference is so rewarding. The team here is very supportive, and I feel proud to be part of an organisation that is truly committed to person-centred care.