Our team at
Ferndown Manor

I joined Care UK because of the sense of belonging I felt from the moment I walked through the door. The high standard of care that is delivered to residents was evident, alongside the relationships that had been built up with residents and their families.

Knowing I can play a part in fulfilling the lives of residents living in the team’s care at Ferndown Manor makes me proud in my role.

As a Deputy Manager, you need to be open and approachable. It’s also important to be an active listener and show that you care about your team and the residents you care for. Dedication, empathy and sympathy are key.

My favourite part of the day is my walk around first thing in the morning. I enjoy welcoming the new day with a cheerful smile and interacting with the residents.

Outside of work, I enjoy long walks by the sea, spending quality time with my family, reading, listening to music and socialising.

I started working at Care UK in 2021, having previously worked as a Clinical Lead and a Deputy Manager. I was led to the company as it has a good reputation for providing care to residents. I had also heard about the support and opportunities to develop within the company.

To be successful in this role, empathy is one of the most important skills you need. You also need to be patient, respectful and caring - treating residents as a member of your family.

So far, my biggest professional challenge has been working hard to pass all my exams and achieving my Level 5 in nursing.

My favourite part of my working day is observing and monitoring residents and helping provide support to staff members. I’m most looking forward to seeing the home achieve an Outstanding CQC rating.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and cooking.

Before working here at Ferndown Manor I recruited temporary healthcare staff for different settings. I felt I wanted to use my relationship building skills in a care setting, so here I am. I also have personal experience of finding long term care for a loved one. I know how hard it is and what an emotional experience it can be.

I really enjoy getting to know colleagues and meeting new people. I’m looking forward to being part of the growing team at Ferndown Manor, building our community and meeting and exceeding the expectations of residents and their families.

I joined the team at Ferndown Manor in November 2021 after seeing the home being built. I wanted to join the company as I had heard good things about Care UK and it's good values.

I love how each day is different in the home. My favorite part of the job is seeing the residents smile and having a good time with the activity engaging with one another and making happy memories. I’m looking forward to trying out new ideas and growing closer to the residents.

I think to be successful in my role you need to be patient and able to adapt easily to suit the needs of the residents. I think being caring and understand is also important as well as being fun and lively to get the residents motivated for the activities.

Outside of work I love going to the gym, running and playing netball. I also enjoy acting and doing extra work for TV and film, baking, arts and crafts and spending time with my friends and family. I also love to travel and am always looking for my next adventure.

I joined Ferndown Manor in April 2021 after a friend recommended working for Care UK. I have a Master’s degree in Sociology and am currently working on my Level 3 Business Administrator qualification.

To be a great Business Administrator, you need to be organised and hardworking, have great communication skills and be a team player. It’s also important to be passionate and have a sense of humour.

No two days are the same at Ferndown Manor, and I learn new things and develop new skills every day. It can be quite challenging, but I love to work with and among people. They motivate me.

Starting a new career as a BA without previous experience was challenging, but having my work recognised by management and my colleagues is my biggest career highlight. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far, and I’m lucky to work with great people and to build a fantastic team.

When I’m not working, the most important thing for me is spending time with my family. I like travelling, reading, taking long walks and baking.

I’ve worked in the care industry as Head of Housekeeping since 2008, and I decided to join Care UK in September 2021 for a new challenge and a change.

Head Housekeeper is a demanding role. You need to be precise with good attention to detail, but you also need to be kind, caring and welcoming to the residents in the home. It’s also important to be approachable so team members know they can come to you at any time.

My favourite part of the day is the morning handover, when I get a chance to speak with the team and motivate them for the day ahead. I also enjoy preparing rooms for new residents and getting to know their likes and dislikes, so everything is just right.

Housekeeping is my passion, and I enjoy every part of the role. I’m looking forward to working hard with my amazing team of housekeepers.

Outside of work, I love walking in Bournemouth – it's such a beautiful place. I enjoy swimming in the sea and taking photos – I once managed to take a photo of a kingfisher!

I joined Care UK in April 2021 after working in a five-star hotel as a supervisor in the meetings and events department. Care UK gave me the opportunity to show what I know, and they believed in my leadership and organisation skills.

To be a good Maintenance Manager, you need to be organised, know how to set priorities and keep the home in good working order. Every day is different, and I’m always happy to see a smile on residents’ faces when they feel at home at Ferndown Manor.

I enjoy the work environment and working as a team with my colleagues here at Ferndown Manor. I was proud to create a new fire plan for the home, and I’ve received a ‘Good’ on every audit I’ve had, including from the CQC.

When I’m not working, I like to spend the day with my wife and my four children, walking through the forest, countryside or beach. I’m a qualified electrician, and I also enjoy recycling old parts into unique pieces, transforming them into something useful again.