1. Why are you in the care sector? 

I began my career in the care sector at the age of 17. I was looking for a job that was fulfilling and meaningful, and I found this at my first care home, which specialised in residential and dementia. I had a wonderful manager who showed me that caring for someone in their sunset years could bring the most personal satisfaction to myself and my residents. I loved feeling that I had made a difference in someone’s day. This could have been a simple chat to someone who hadn’t had a visitor for a while or helping someone eat a meal in the most dignified way. This brings me immense happiness, and it still does.  

2. What do you enjoy about the care sector?

Caring for once strong people and showing them that life does not have to stop once we begin to feel the ailments of age. This is my strongest passion. To deliver care to those who require that element of care that not everyone can do. To genuinely care about people and treat them like family, and to strive to bring joy and fulfilment to their lives, is why I am in care. 

3. What experience do you have working in the care sector?

I started in care when I was 17. I have worked in various homes, primarily for the same provider. My experience is with providing residential and dementia care. I started as a trainee care assistant when I was 17 and have worked my way through the ranks, under different management teams. I am now a home manager, and I would say I have taken different things from different managers over the years, and these things have made me the manager I am today. 

4. What are your qualifications?

I have completed many mandatory training programmes over the years, including first aid and end-of-life care. I have completed NVQ’s in care and am currently undertaking my level 5 in management.  

5. What are your hobbies?

I love to spend time with my family and friends socialising and going on holidays abroad. I spend much of my spare time attending football training sessions and matches with my youngest son.  

6. What motivates you to succeed in the care sector?

I am very passionate about people. I intend to always offer life and love around people I care about. Our sunset years are to be lived, not lost. I want to make a difference. I wish to encourage our residents to enjoy their lives as much as possible, despite any ailments old age may have brought. I want my residents to be happy and to enjoy even more memories with whatever makes them smile. This could be something they have always wanted to do or something small. What matters is they feel joy and fulfilment. 

 

7. Tell me a little about your care team.

We have a very well-established care team. My management team have a combined 38 years of experience in the care sector. Many of our staff have been at Hulton for many years. This enables us to train and support all our care staff to be the best and instil our caring core values. Our staff learn what it means to be a great caregiver and what it means to fulfil all of our residents' care needs emotionally and physically. Our care team is made up of a diverse group of different sexes, ages and ethnic backgrounds. I feel this gives us a much greater range of experience to ensure we are providing quality care to our diverse residents. 

8. Why is it important to have stimulating activities in your home?

When we are younger and more able, our lives are taken up by families, work life and social activities. We need these stimulations in our lives to fulfil our emotional needs. The feeling of belonging, the feeling of companionship or being psychologically challenged. As we become older, our bodies age and become weaker. Our minds quite often do not. Even with a diagnosis of dementia, we need to keep stimulated. Activities in our care home are devised to ensure that all parties can be involved. We actively encourage activities such as speaking and listening, music and movement, bingo, arts and crafts, snooker, pet therapy, outings and conversation in relation to memory lane and trips out of the home. Activities promote good health, wellbeing and mental health-related ailments. Fresh air is a known factor to promote health and well-being. We respect that some of our residents want to be peaceful in their sunset years, and that’s ok too. 

9. Why should your home look after someone else’s loved one?

We are a trusted and regulated care home with very strong professional relationships. Our care team want you to become a part of our extended family. We are here to support your loved ones and ensure they are happy and safe. We not only support the residents in the home and throughout their stay with us, but we also support the families. We understand that this was a life-changing event for everyone, and we want you to know that we care, we genuinely care. We will always strive to improve and continue to provide a homely environment, not a workplace. 

10. Would you place your loved one in your home?

Yes. I have. My husband’s grandfather was admitted to Hulton due to increased health problems and resided with us for 9 months. I did not hesitate to have a family member in the home. I completely and truly trust the ethos of the home, and our staff provide excellent care. 

One of our staff members was once a relative; she was so impressed with the care home she herself became a member of our team and has been here for three years.