Our team at
Anning House

I decided I wanted a change from working in financial services, having worked in that sector for many years. I also wanted a career where I could continue to work with and help people, and the opportunity with Care UK was the perfect fit.

I always like the very first few minutes of every working day, opening emails and wondering what challenges the day will bring. To be good in this role you need to be able to listen to and understand people; what they like and dislike, and what drives them as people. To understand people is to be able to help them.

Outside of work I am a keen rugby supporter - I gave up playing following injury a few years ago but do try to get to a few games every season. I am also running the London Marathon so most of my spare time has been training for that.

Before becoming the Lifestyle Lead at Anning House, I was working as an Activities Assistant. Before that, I’ve worked in engineering and higher education, and I love working with people in a supportive role.

My personal experience of caring for my mum who was living with vascular dementia led me to become a Dementia Care Champion at Care UK.

As Lifestyle Lead, it’s my role to continually develop the care and activities for residents, including those living with dementia. You need lots of patience and empathy, as well as confidence, good communication and organisation skills and a happy nature in this role.

I love that first interaction with residents in the morning, as we’re equally pleased to see each other. It’s great to be appreciated by residents and their families, and I’m proud to be able to make a difference in people’s lives.

Outside of work, I enjoy cold water swimming in the sea, lakes and rivers, and I’m also a feltmaker.

Before joining Care UK, I was working as Executive Officer in a prison, supervising colleagues and prisoners. I also travelled around the world in the Royal Air Force, where I saw and experienced different cultures.

I believe Care UK stands for quality care, and after doing my own research and hearing very good reviews, I decided to join as Head Chef.

In this role, you need to be passionate about and creative with food. You should also be kind, fair and lead by example. I have a vision of excellence, and the most important part of my role is developing that vision.

Seeing the residents enjoying their meals is the best part of each day. I’m proud to be part of the best care home in Weymouth and contribute to the quality of care through my work.

When I’m not working, I enjoy cycling, photography, stone carving, oil painting and DIY.

Before I relocated and joined Anning House, I was working as a Receptionist/Administrator for a motorhome sales company.

My role is all about being approachable to everyone and having a good all-round understanding of the home and how Care UK operates. It’s important to be organised, adaptable and calm, and have good attention to detail.

I love arriving first thing in the morning – you never know what the day will hold. I take pride in helping relatives, residents and colleagues with their queries.

I was delighted to be nominated for Administrator of the Year at the Care UK Stars Awards!

When I’m not working, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my dogs and my grandchildren, reading, crafting and listening to music.

I joined Care UK because I believe it's a good care provider with lots of training opportunities. To me, being Head Housekeeper is being the heart of the home. I love spending time every day interacting with residents and making the home clean and smelling fresh.

Having the opportunity to be Head Housekeeper has been the highlight of my career. I love that I have input and that I’m able to help my team to be happy in their roles. It’s important that I can listen to the needs of residents but also ensure my colleagues are happy. I’m always happy and smiling in this role, which I feel rubs off on my team.

Seeing happy residents enjoying a lovely, clean home makes me feel proud of what I do.

Outside of work, I love going away in my campervan to the middle of nowhere and walking and chilling. I also enjoy playing darts.

Over my career, I have spent 11 years with a risk management company, two years with SGN gas repairs and two years with a drainage company.

In a maintenance role with Care UK, you need to be able to prioritise your workload, have a keen eye for detail and have a can-do attitude. It’s my job to ensure residents and colleagues have a safe place to work and live.

It gives me great pride when I can support residents in their daily lives with little jobs that they can no longer do.

When I’m not working, I enjoy football, supporting the great Manchester United, going to the gym and listening to music.