Our team at
Hartismere Place

I’ve been with Care UK since December 2012. I actually transferred from working for Suffolk County Council when the home I was in was taken over by Care UK. I liked the values and support network that Care UK provides. I

I love seeing the differences – large and small – that our team makes to residents’ lives simply by building up relationships with them and their families. Each of us takes huge pride in making Hartismere Place a caring and supportive home with a family atmosphere, and I think it shows. 

Before moving to Care UK in 2014 I helped to establish a team of dementia support workers at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. We supported patients living with dementia, giving information and advice to their families and carers. Here I’m doing something very similar for families who are looking for residential care for a loved one.

I love building relationships with families, supporting them and offering guidance to help them make the right decision for them about residential care. I’m passionate about doing the best for residents – it’s a very difficult time for them and their families.

I have eight years’ experience working in care and joined Care UK in 2021. I really like that their homes feel friendly and welcoming. I also agree with the ethos and values Care UK stand for, plus, they also invest in their teams.

I have several qualifications including a level two in dementia and end of life care, as well as level three and four diplomas in care and counselling. I am also a mental health first aider.

In this role, you need to be warm and have compassion and empathy. You also need to have good communication skills, especially as we all work as a team.

One of the wonderful parts of the job is being able to get to know residents and see them happy and smiling. It’s a privilege to be able to find out more about their lives; I learn something new every day!

Outside of work, I enjoy walking my dogs, crocheting and upcycling furniture. I am also a keen solo traveller and love listening to music and reading.

I have worked in care for a number of years, starting as a carer and then progressing to Day Centre Manager. I recently completed my level three diploma in health and social care, which I’m really proud to have achieved.

I joined Care UK because its values matched my own and I love being able to witness first-hand the positive impact we have on people’s lives.

You need to be compassionate and kind to work in care. You also need to exercise respect so that people feel dignified as you support them.

In my current role, it is important to have excellent organisational and time management skills. You also need to be good at communicating. It is also up to me to motivate others, so you have to be comfortable with colleagues and happy to work as a team.

I love to spend my free time with family. I am also a keen photographer and avid reader.

Before joining the team at Hartismere Place I spent many years working in childcare in a preschool. I think many of the skills I learnt in that role are useful in this one, including being a good listener, problem solving, being approachable and kind, and able to multitask!

While it’s been quite a career change for me moving into the care sector, I love every part of my role here at Hartismere Place. Each day brings lots of variety, including speaking to residents and their families, supporting the team, and continuing to learn about the care sector. There’s a lot to keep me busy!

Outside of work I enjoy keeping fit and I do a lot of different running events. I also enjoy more sedate activities, including sewing and crafts, yoga, spending time with my family, and looking after my two dogs and two cats.  

I previously worked in the care industry for 25 years before deciding to change my career for 15 years. I came back to Care UK when I wanted to return to the care sector.

I worked as a Care Assistant before becoming Head Housekeeper at Hartismere Place. Starting this new challenge as Head Housekeeper has been an exciting time in my career. In this role, you need to be approachable, have good housekeeping knowledge and be fair. I believe ensuring that the team work well together is the most important part of my role.

Talking to residents is my favourite part of my working day. When I speak to residents and their families and they say they’re happy I feel very proud of what I do.

Outside of work, I enjoy listening to country music and going to country music festivals.

I’ve been in care for 21 years, working in different care homes and looking after my two disabled brothers between work. I joined Hartismere Place in 2019 because of its friendly reputation.

I love my job and where I work. I take my dog Teddy to Hartismere Place every day, and to see the smile on residents’ and visitors’ faces is just priceless. I started as a carer, but I’ve worked my way up and gained new skills to join the maintenance team and become head of my department.

As well as having maintenance skills, it’s important to be a good communicator and be friendly and polite in this role. I’ve met such an incredible team of people at Hartismere Place, and I enjoy working with the amazing residents. They bring so much joy to me every day.

Outside of work, I have five children, two dogs and six rabbits, plus an amazing husband who supports me all the way.

I belong to Katie, who works here, and she adopted me in 2016. I was a few years old at that point and had already had some adventures: I started life in a puppy farm and was then owned by a nice older couple.

I’m a Pomeranian, or ‘Pom’, and, while we may be little, we have big personalities. We’re loyal and friendly and we know what we want! We’re also rather gorgeous. To stay that way, I have a haircut every couple of months. I like to look my best for the residents and their families.

I do the ‘meets and greets’ here at Hartismere Place. I have a bed in reception so I can say hello to visitors and make sure everyone’s behaving themselves. I’m also excellent at collecting cuddles, tummy rubs and treats from the residents and team. 

It can be tiring being gorgeous, so I like to unwind by lying on the sofa, watching Eastenders and eating custard creams. See you soon at Hartismere Place!