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Our team at
Highmarket House

Experts in award winning care in Banbury

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Meet our friendly care team

Our colleagues are a happy, enthusiastic team. We love making each day the best it can possibly be for our wonderful residents. You can see some of us popping up on our Facebook page, and on these pages you can read more about some of our dedicated team members.

Francesca Cowley

Home Manager

Francesca Cowley

I’ve worked in the care sector since 2008, since I was 18 years old.

I’ve worked my way up doing different roles, including team leader, trainer and unit manager. I joined Care UK in mid 2018 because I’d heard good things about the organisation. When I came for my interview I knew I wanted to work here, it felt like home rather than a workplace. The company supports its people to develop and learn, which I really appreciate.

I’m very proud to have stepped into the role of Home Manager. I have a passion for what I do and I’ve done it for a long time, and I’m always looking to make a difference to the people we care for. Everyone who works at Highmarket House takes a ‘whole home’ approach to caring for residents. Every colleague and every department pulls together to support residents’ health and wellbeing.

Away from work, I like to spend time with my family. I like listening to music, watching TV and going on a good shopping trip. 

Daniel Worley
Customer Relations Manager

I was working for another care home provider before I joined the team at Highmarket House.

I’d actually relocated and saw this position available, and when I researched Care UK I really liked their vision of care and how they support residents to live fulfilling lives.

In this role it’s important to have good people skills and to be a good listener. Moving into a care home can feel stressful for prospective residents and their families, so being able to put people at their ease is vital, and to give them absolute reassurance.

I love all aspects of my working day but talking to prospective and existing residents is wonderful. I enjoy listening to their stories. Having relocated to this area, I’m looking forward to learning more about the history of Banbury and the surrounding area, and to building relationships with the different groups in the local area.

Mirela Pojereamu
Unit Manager

I joined Care UK in 2018, looking for a new challenge, to learn and develop.

To be successful in this role you need to be your team rock, to support and develop colleagues. Be a great listener and to set a good example.

My favourite part of the working day is when I see residents happy, my team is happy after I coach them and most importantly working in a positive environment. Working at Highmarket House is my second family, I love the homely atmosphere it provides and being able to fulfil a meaningful lifestyle to the residents.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family, and I love to travel.

Wendy Cross
Lifestyle Lead

I enjoy doing anything that’s craft-related.

I absolutely love to sew and make personalized ragdolls in my spare time, and I used to work in a local haberdashery shop before I joined Highmarket House. A friend worked here and suggested the job to me as she thought I’d love it. She was absolutely right, and here I am. I joined the team in 2018.

In this role it’s important to be energetic, caring, patient, flexible and organised.

I love spending time with residents and their families, hearing about their past, the jobs they’ve had and how they used to live. Of course, I love the craft activities that we do too! Looking ahead, I’m looking forward to getting to know the residents and their families, finding activities they enjoy and making residents’ wishes come true.

Crystal Rose
Nurse Manager

I joined Care UK in 2018, previously working as a Nurse for physical and learning disabilities.

To be successful in this role you need to be caring, patience and a good listener.

I enjoy looking after the residents like they are my family, keeping them safe and making sure I give them a fulfilling meaningful life. My biggest professional challenge is being promoted to a manager, being in charge of the team making sure the team are happy as well as the residents. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Jessica Preedy
Dementia Suite Manager/ Dementia Champion

I have worked at Highmarket House since 2017, since the home first opened.

I’m the Dementia Suite Manager and I’m also the Dementia Coach for the home, delivering dementia training to all my colleagues. I’m very passionate about delivering the best care for those living with dementia and it’s the best feeling knowing you have made a difference.

I chose to work at Care UK as they put residents at the heart of everything they do, which is one of my own values. My favourite part of my day is when I do a walk around the suite and greet residents, you hear amazing stories.

When I’m not at work you will find me socialising with friends and solving puzzles!

Yavor Dimitrov
Head Chef

I’m originally from Bulgaria, where I went to a highly regarded culinary school.

I’ve also developed my skills in professional cooking with an NVQ level 3 from Stratford College. I have worked as a chef in various restaurants, hotels and business venues. I joined Care UK in 2017.

I’m passionate about great food and I like to make people happy through food. Care UK gives chefs a chance to be creative and work closely with residents to produce delicious food that they’ll love. One of my favourite parts of the day is when I get to chat to residents and find out what they think of the food. It’s a good opportunity to get new ideas for dishes. 

Outside of work I enjoy fishing and gardening (food-related activities!) as well as, obviously, cooking!

Melissa Harvey-Pemberton
Head Housekeeper

As Head Housekeeper I work across Highmarket House and liaise with different teams, so it means I’m in a good position to oversee IPC at the home too.

I ensure all paperwork is completed and all IPC audits are performed regularly, and I support other teams to be compliant in IPC.

Care UK is a great company to work for and Highmarket House is a lovely home to work in. When I joined, the team and the residents made me feel very welcome. The managers are very supportive, and it’s fantastic to see the difference that you can make to the home on an individual, as well as on a team, basis. I’m very proud to be ensuring the home is achieving the highest standards in cleanliness and infection prevention and control.

Celebrating our long serving colleagues

Many of our colleagues are presented with long service awards to celebrate their dedication to Care UK. At Highmarket House, Michelle, Tracey, Jessica, Samera and Stacey have marked 5 years!

Celebrating our long serving colleagues

Our experienced teams

Every day Care UK colleagues live our values of passionate, caring and teamwork to empower residents to enjoy fulfilling lives.

Carers

Our hardworking teams always keep individuals and their families at the heart of the care they provide. We work with you to shape the care your loved one receives, the food they’re served, the activities and experiences they want to do – even the ways they prefer to keep in touch with their friends and family. 

Nurses

The nurses at Care UK are highly skilled and receive sector-leading training, which enables them to keep developing expertise in different clinical fields from dementia to palliative care.

Lifestyle

Our dedicated lifestyle teams work hard to organise a range of activities and events at our home. From gardening and baking to quizzes, music sessions and even live entertainment. Above all, we get to know your loved one to make sure our activities are tailored to suit their interests and hobbies.

Home support roles

From catering to maintenance, housekeeping to administration, our home support teams play a crucial part in ensuring individuals enjoy an exceptional and safe service every day.

All our teams get to know each person they care for to ensure they provide a service that’s designed around their unique needs and tastes. 

Infection control

Each of our homes have a trained Infection Control and Prevention Champion – they are responsible for carrying out daily infection control audit and ensuring cleaning protocols are meticulously applied.