Melissa Bright, Registered Service Manager – Supported Accommodation
Friday 14 November 2025
Last updated: Monday 08 December 2025
Melissa Bright, an experienced Manager, joined Five Rivers in 2024 to undertake a newly created role: Registered Service Manager for our first Supported Accommodation Service. Our Supported Accommodation homes are for children aged 16-18 and are the first of their kind for the organisation.
Melissa has opened and leads our first home, Clara House in Plymouth. The team at Clara House is passionate about easing the move on for children from children’s services to adulthood, to provide a stepping stone for independence, rather than a cliff-edge of care. The team works together to ensure that young people are prepared for successful outcomes after leaving care.
Melissa is now working closely with our Head of Residential Services to open our next home, Aurora House, early in 2026 .
Melissa on her journey at Five Rivers
Have you undertaken any qualifications whilst working at Five Rivers?
When I joined Five Rivers, I completed all of the fantastic bespoke training on offer, including attending our 6-week ATIC (Attachment, Trauma-Informed Care) training, which forms our research-based model of care. Five Rivers has supported me to attend supported accommodation conferences, events, and development days specifically tailored to supporting older children.
We are a member of the National Association of Support Accommodation Partners (NASAP). This has enabled my team and me to partake in weekly bite-sized sessions, collaborate with other providers, and attend workshops. I have been fortunate enough to have been nominated to be the Southwest Lead for the NASAP advisory board.
What drew you to Five Rivers, and what excites you most about our mission?
I wanted to work for an organisation that prioritises children over profit and embodies values that align with my own. I believe in being part of something that creates meaningful change that will result in better outcomes for children.
What do you enjoy most about working for Five Rivers?
Working at Five Rivers means being part of something truly meaningful. We’re providing homes for children who genuinely deserve safety, care, and stability. Every child matters to them, and no request is ever too much trouble. That commitment is reflected in how we work together across the organisation.
One of the things I value most is the ability to speak directly with colleagues about important issues. For example, being able to have real conversations with the HR team about safeguarding is far more effective than sending emails to a generic inbox and waiting days for a response. That kind of open communication helps us act quickly and efficiently, which is vital in the work we do.
What makes working for Five Rivers even more special is the team around me. I’m surrounded by people I trust and believe in, people who always put the children first. When you work with a team like that, why wouldn’t you want to be part of it?
Decision-making is a team effort. When it comes to referrals, it’s never just down to one person; we come together to consider what’s best for the young people in our care. That shared responsibility makes our work stronger and more thoughtful.
I genuinely feel proud to be part of this Social Enterprise. It’s something worth shouting about, from the rooftops, even. That pride comes from the little things, the everyday moments that show how much people care. And I truly believe that the people here are proud to work for Five Rivers. That’s why I advocate for it, because it deserves to be seen and celebrated.
Do you have any stand-out moments during your time at Five Rivers that you would like to share?
Overall, I would say that launching Five Rivers’ first Supported Accommodation at Clara House was a significant achievement. I’m so proud of this home and the hard work that my team and I have put into it.
It’s always lovely to be thanked and appreciated for the work I do, but that’s not why I do it. The real reward is seeing the home full of life, hearing the laughter of the children we support, and knowing that we’re helping to shape a brighter future for them.
Interested in working with Five Rivers?
If you want to join our national residential team, take a look at our current vacancies to find a role turning children’s lives around.