SoGlos meets the founder of SGGLA category partner First Thought Care Services, Jack Cook, to find out more about how his childhood, ADHD diagnosis, mental health journey and experiences within the care sector motivated him to start his own care services business at just 20-years-old.
Your parents being deaf meant that you grew up fluent in sign language. How did this unique aspect of your childhood shape your perspective on communication and empathy, both personally and professionally?
I learned early on that communication is more than just words — it's about truly understanding and connecting with others, regardless of how they express themselves. This shaped my ability to be patient, observant and empathetic, as I often had to step into an interpreting role, even as a child.
Professionally, this has been invaluable. It has helped me build meaningful relationships with the young people and staff at First Thought Care Services. I approach every individual with the understanding that their experiences and needs may be unique and require careful listening and adaptation.
It’s
also inspired me to create an inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is
valued, no matter how they communicate. We are proud to also employ Deaf staff
and teach BSL to our staff and service users too!
You've spoken about your experience of bullying at school and later being diagnosed with ADHD. How did this affect your self-identity growing up?
Experiencing bullying at school, especially because of my parents’ deafness and being different, had a profound impact on my self-identity growing up. It made me feel isolated and misunderstood and I often questioned my self-worth.
Later, being diagnosed with ADHD gave me a clearer understanding of why I struggled with certain things, but it also brought its own set of challenges, as I had to navigate a world that isn’t always designed for neurodivergent individuals.
To overcome these challenges, I developed resilience, self-awareness and learned to turn what others saw as 'weaknesses' into strengths — my ADHD became a source of creativity and energy, and my experiences of bullying fuelled my determination to succeed and help others.
I
found purpose in creating safe, supportive spaces where people feel valued and
understood, like First Thought Care Services. By embracing my differences and
surrounding myself with people who believed in me, I turned those difficult
experiences into motivation to achieve more and help others to do the same.
Facing mental health issues stemming from childhood trauma is incredibly difficult. Can you tell us about the support you received during that time and how it helped you to heal and grow?
Facing mental health challenges was one of the most difficult journeys I’ve ever experienced.
Therapeutic support played a key role in helping me process my trauma and understand how it shaped my emotions and behaviours. I was also lucky to have a few key individuals in my life who believed in me and encouraged me to keep going, even when I doubted myself.
While healing is an ongoing process, these experiences
taught me the importance of seeking help and building a support network. They
also motivated me to create a service like First Thought Care Services, where
young people can find the safety and support I wish I’d had growing up.
Your personal experiences inspired you to launch First Thought Care Services. What was the turning point that made you decide to dedicate your life to supporting others and how did you bring that vision to life through the services you offer?
Growing up in the care system and facing challenges like bullying, mental health issues and trauma, I often felt unsupported and misunderstood. It became clear that there was a gap in the system — people of all ages needed consistent, reliable support throughout life’s transitions, especially at critical milestones like turning 18.
First Thought Care Services was created to provide that continuity and stability and our mission is to be able to support individuals from all walks of life — from as young as a day old right through to age 65.
We offer a wide range of services tailored to meet diverse needs. These include alternative provision education (with plans to register as an independent school soon), supported accommodation, community support, supported living and intervention support. We also work directly with schools, supporting children who may be struggling and providing guidance to staff to help them better manage challenging situations.
Whether it’s offering a safe home, helping someone re-engage with education or providing intervention at a critical time, we focus on creating a positive, lasting impact. My vision has always been to provide a level of care that empowers people, no matter their age or circumstances, to overcome challenges and achieve their potential.
You recently announced plans to launch the First Thought Care software. Can you tell us more about this project and how it will enhance your services?
The First Thought Care software is an exciting step forward for us, designed to enhance the quality and consistency of the services we provide.
The software will help us manage and monitor care plans, track progress, and maintain detailed records in real time, ensuring that every individual we support receives the personalised care they need.
It will also make communication between staff members more efficient, reducing administrative burdens and allowing our team to focus more on delivering high-quality care.
One of its standout features will be the ability to provide families and professionals with real-time updates, fostering transparency and collaboration. For example, parents or social workers will be able to access key information about their loved one’s progress, giving them greater peace of mind.
This software will also integrate education and care plans seamlessly, which is critical for our young people who rely on a joined-up approach to their development. By combining technology with our values of empathy and individualised support, the First Thought Care software will empower both our team and the individuals we support to achieve better outcomes.
We’re thrilled to be bringing this project to life and we believe it will set a new standard for how care services can leverage technology to make a real difference.
First Thought Care Services is a proud sponsor of the SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards 2025. Why is this partnership important to you?
Becoming a sponsor of the SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards is incredibly important to us because it aligns perfectly with our mission to make a positive impact in the local community.
At First Thought Care Services, we believe in celebrating the achievements of individuals and organisations that enrich the lives of others. The awards shine a spotlight on those who are making a difference and we’re proud to support that.
