Our team at
Harrier Lodge

When I joined Care UK in June 2017 it was a new industry for me. I’d been an office manager for a publishing company for 11 years, but I fancied a new direction. I wanted a career that would challenge me and where I could benefit other people. 

Before moving to Harrier Lodge, I was a regional business administrator for Care UK, travelling around different homes and supporting the business administrator in each home. I’m enjoying being based in one home now!

It’s an exciting challenge to be part of the team developing a brand new home. I feel privileged to be doing this role – welcoming all our new residents and helping them to settle in. I enjoy getting to know the residents and their families and finding out more about their lives. 

I wanted to join the team at Harrier Lodge soon after it opened as I’d seen the home being built and I liked the idea of being part of a new care home and a new team. I’m an experienced Head Housekeeper, so I’ve got the good organisational and problem solving skills needed to do this job.

I really enjoy achieving all the tasks that we need to do each day. It’s very satisfying to see the home well organised and everything done properly at the end of a shift.

There’s a great team here at Harrier Lodge care home, and we work really well together doing everything to ensure residents’ surroundings are lovely, their rooms are as they would like them, and their laundry’s done properly. I’m very proud to work for Care UK and for our lovely care home. 

Before joining the Harrier Lodge team in 2019 I had worked in maintenance roles in care homes for six years, and before that I worked in property facilities management, mainly contracting to local authorities.

In this role it’s useful to have experience in a variety of trades, so that you can turn your hand to whatever’s needed. Good communication skills are important too, as you’re working directly with residents, their families and colleagues. In the same way as carers and nurses need to keep up with new regulations, I need to keep track of related legislation in this role, so I can ensure that the home is always complying with regulations.

I’m focused on making every day as good as it can be for residents. There’s a friendly family atmosphere here at Harrier Lodge, and every day is a highlight for me. I’m helping older people to enjoy life to the full in a safe and happy environment. It doesn’t get much better than that.