Our team at
Metchley Manor

I originally joined as 1st Floor Manager, then progressed to Dementia Coordinator, before being promoted to Deputy Manager.

As Deputy Manager, it's important to have strong leadership skills, but empathy and compassion are also essential in this role. I love engaging with residents and team members - we are like one big family.

Walking into Metchley Manor was and still is an experience like no other, both the team and residents are amazing.

I believe listening is a huge skill for this role, we need to ensure they feel we are family. Being visual and present is also key, the more residents and family see and know who you are and how you work will only lead to stronger relationships.

The home is a beautiful setting to work from. Each resident has a wealth of stories to share with a little gossip thrown in. There’s a great community feel here at Metchley Manor, and all the team have the same vision and strive for the best experience for the residents.

I started working as a Concierge then progressed to the activities’ team six months later. I enjoy being part of the team here at Metchley Manor, creating a meaningful programme for residents to enjoy and events that residents can look forward to each week. I am fortunate enough to have been trained here in CRT, CST and reminiscence therapies, all making a huge impact on the lives of residents and their wellbeing. Encouraging family participation in all events and working with residents to create a programme that is both fun and person centred is key. Seeing residents thoroughly engaged, smiling and happy, trying something new, or re-using an old skill will always be the best part of my job.

In my role it’s important to understand that everyone is their own person, everyone is different, there are different abilities, skills, enjoyments and dislikes. I love running all the activities, but especially scrabble as it’s a favourite of the residents here and they get very competitive with each other. We have a good laugh every day!

Working at Metchley Manor, I try to mix classic dishes and resident favourites with modern cooking skills, always presenting the food to the highest standards. There's a stigma around care homes and care home food which just isn't true - myself and the team here are working hard to change perceptions with delicious freshly cooked top quality meals. I love seeing my team raise the bar of the dining experience.

Since then I have progressed to Head of Housekeeping, which I love. Nothing is more rewarding than making a positive contribution to the daily lives of each and every one of the residents. I have a dedicated team of housekeepers and laundry assistants that provide excellent service, hard work and dedication in order to serve the residents and ensure that the community represents caring and compassionate care within a beautiful environment. Metchley Manor is a very caring community of which I am happy to be a part of.

I attended Bournville infants and junior school and then onto Bromsgrove school, where I became head boy. I then gained a place at Keble College, Oxford, to read classics after my master's I was successful in receiving my diploma of education. I moved to Sheffield and taught at King Edwards V11 School where I eventually became Deputy headmaster. I was then promoted to Headmaster. I married Sue who was a senior sister at St. Marys hospice, Selly park. We both came to live at Metchley Manor a few years ago, sadly Sue is no longer with us. Metchley Manor is my home and I've enjoyed every part of my role as resident ambassador. This involves meeting and greeting visitors and potential new residents, assisting with interviews to represent my fellow residents during the recruitment process. I really feel I am part of a team and thoroughly enjoy every minute.