Our team at
Holly Oak

As Clinical Deputy Manager, I have the privilege of supporting residents and colleagues every day. I work closely with the Home Manager to ensure we deliver safe, high-quality care while creating a supportive environment.

A large part of my role involves overseeing residents' care, from assessments through to personalised care planning, ensuring each person receives tailored care. I also support my colleagues and ensure we are all maintaining clinical excellence and the high standards set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and other bodies.

What I enjoy most is seeing residents happy, comfortable and well cared for. Knowing that I've helped support residents and colleagues gives me a real sense of achievement.

Before joining Care UK, I worked as a Legal Secretary specialising in Wills, Probate and Lasting Power of Attorney. I then discovered a passion for care, starting my journey as a carer before progressing into my current role as Customer Relations Manager. Having worked in care for more than eight years, I understand just how emotional the decision to move into a care home can be.

I support families from their very first enquiry, helping them navigate every step of the journey and ensuring they feel informed, reassured and supported throughout. I also enjoy building relationships within the local community, organising events and working closely with colleagues to welcome new residents into the home.

As well as supporting residents and families directly, I also work with our marketing team to keep our social media up to date, providing an extra link for loved ones to keep up with the activities that residents are enjoying here.

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing residents settle into life at The Hollies and watching families relax into the transition, knowing their loved one is safe, happy and well cared for.

As Lifestyle Lead, I spend time getting to know each resident so we can create activities and experiences that reflect their interests, hobbies and life stories. Whether it's baking, music, gardening, gentle exercise or a one-to-one chat, my aim is to help every resident enjoy meaningful moments every day.

I also organise trips out into the local community, welcome entertainers into the home and work with local schools to create opportunities for residents to stay connected with people of all ages.

For me, the most rewarding part of my role is seeing residents smiling and making new memories together. Watching friendships grow and helping people continue doing the things they love is incredibly special.

I feel very lucky to be part of such a caring team, and I'm passionate about helping every resident live a fulfilling, enjoyable life at The Hollies.

As Head Chef, I prepare fresh, nutritious dishes that are tailored to each resident's individual needs and preferences. Whether I'm creating modified texture meals, catering for specialist diets or preparing something for a special celebration, my priority is making sure every resident enjoys delicious food that's nutritious and beautifully presented.

Working closely with colleagues including our lifestyle leads, across the home allows us to make birthdays, themed events and celebrations even more memorable through food, which is something I really enjoy.

In my role, I uphold impeccable hygiene standards and ensure our kitchen equipment is running smoothly. Attention to detail and high food safety standards are essential. Equally important is listening to residents and understanding the meals they love most.

Seeing residents enjoying their food and hearing their compliments is always the highlight of my day, and knowing I've helped make mealtimes a happy part of life at The Hollies makes my role very rewarding.

Creating a spotless, comfortable and welcoming home is something I take great pride in every day. As Head Housekeeper, I lead our housekeeping and laundry teams to ensure every area of The Hollies is maintained to the highest standards.

I oversee everything from infection prevention and stock management to deep cleaning programmes and supporting our excellent team.

Organisation, teamwork and attention to detail are essential qualities in my role.

What makes me proud is seeing residents enjoying their surroundings and knowing our team has created an environment that's safe, hygienic and welcoming for everyone.

Working in maintenance allows me to make a real difference to residents' daily lives by ensuring The Hollies remains a safe, comfortable and welcoming place to live.

From carrying out repairs and maintaining the home's beautiful surroundings to completing important safety checks and statutory testing, I enjoy the variety my role brings. Whether I'm checking emergency lighting, fire safety systems or helping with decorating projects, everything I do contributes to residents' wellbeing and peace of mind.

I believe attention to detail, practical problem solving and a proactive approach are essential in maintenance. It's also important to build good relationships with residents and colleagues, as a friendly conversation can brighten someone's day just as much as fixing a problem.

The most rewarding part of my role is knowing the home is safe, well maintained and somewhere residents are proud to call home. I enjoy being part of a team that genuinely cares about creating the very best environment for everyone who lives and works here.