Our team at
Millers Grange

I’ve worked in the care sector all my career, initially providing hands on care, and later in management roles. I even worked with a previous Prime Minister to improve dementia care standards. While I’m not a political person, it was amazing to provide expertise at that level.

I joined Millers Grange in 2021. Initially, I was going to be supporting on the dementia suite. I was ready for a challenge, and I’d worked with Alison, our Home Manager, many years ago so jumped at the chance to do so again. 

My favourite part of the day is my morning round, when I say hello to all the residents and find out how they’re doing, and ensure they’re ready for a good day. There’s always a buzz about the place.

As well as care expertise, this role demands great teamwork, a listening ear, empathy and the ability to act quickly. This is the residents’ home, so if they, or their family, give us feedback, it’s vital that we’re quick to respond. The same applies to the team. A lot of my role is to support them to develop their strengths and do their best work so they can enhance residents’ lives.

When I saw this opportunity come up at Millers Grange, I was keen to apply because I know Witney well and have spent ten years working in a similar role for another large care provider. I’d heard good things about Care UK and was keen to experience the organisation for myself.

This role is about listening to families and creating a tailor made solution for them at what can be a very difficult time for them. It’s important to have a friendly and compassionate personality, and adapt to the situation as everyone you meet has a different story. I enjoy supporting families through the journey of finding the right care home for their loved one.

I like to arrive early each day, just as residents are waking up. I take a walk around and say good morning to everyone and help to open the home up, ready for the day ahead. When you visit you might meet Ted, my rescue dog, who sometimes comes along to the home for the day. He always brings a smile to residents’ faces!

You might also spot me running – I belong to a local running club and try to do the Park Run most Saturdays. I’m not fast but I manage to finish!

I have spent most of my working career in hotels, restaurants, and heritage sites, so this is my first venture into working in the care environment. This is a whole new challenge for me and after speaking to various people within the company I was absolutely sold on the idea of providing great food, great hospitality and great care.

A massive thing for me is understanding and knowing what residents want, spending time with each individual and having the freedom to express myself.

With Care UK having over 100 sites I am determined for Millers Grange to stand out.

Outside of work I love my spending time with my baby daughter, watching football and of course eating out at as many places as possible.

My work background includes customer services, childminding, domiciliary care and, before joining Millers Grange, I was a cover supervisor at a local secondary school. I actually joined the home as a carer but really liked supporting residents to get involved in activities. When this role came up, I was keen to experience it for myself.

There’s such a friendly atmosphere at Millers Grange, we’re like a big family. I enjoy going around to see all the residents first thing in the morning, finding out how they are and seeing what they fancy doing. I’ll always have lots planned, but it’s important to be flexible to meet residents’ needs.

In my spare time I volunteer as an adult instructor for the Army Cadet Force. I run a detachment for 30+ cadets each week and attend weekends away. I also help with the Duke of Edinburgh Award and do expedition training as part of that. I also play rugby for the Witney Angels ladies team.

I joined the Millers Grange team in 2019 when the home first opened. I started out as Receptionist. I wanted to work where I had the potential to develop my skills and knowledge. I was also keen to work in a rewarding sector, and it doesn’t get much more rewarding than the care sector!

You need a combination of skills in this role, including good time management and a strict understanding of confidentiality and GDPR. It’s also important to be a good listener and have emotional intelligence, because there are lots of emotions involved when families are considering care for a loved one.

It was a huge highlight for me to become the home’s Business Administrator. It was an opportunity to grow my experience and skills and to be more involved in supporting new residents, their families and my colleagues. 

This role is very different from the one I had before when I was a cleaning machinery field service engineer covering the south of England and Wales. Now I’m in one place every day, and it makes a refreshing change.

I like the fact that every day is different at Millers Grange – I need to take a proactive and reactive approach to solve any issues and complete my tasks. My focus is always on keeping the care home safe for residents and colleagues.

Where I can, I enjoy supporting the team at lunchtimes on the dementia suite. I love spending time with the residents and hearing their stories. I’m quite a social person and I enjoy the fact that colleagues are encouraged to support residents to enjoy a fulfilling day, whatever role we do. Everyone’s involved, and everyone’s skills and input are valued, which makes it a great place to work.

Outside of work, I am an Army cadet instructor. I also assist with the Witney Angels Women’s Rugby team.