Our team at
Murrayside

I qualified as a nurse in 2010 and joined Care UK in 2019 as I felt I needed a new challenge. I first worked at Cairdean House as Unit Manager before being promoted to Deputy Manager at Murrayside.

As Deputy Manager, I believe it’s important to be approachable and empathetic. You need to be reliable and lead by example.

I’m proud to support the Home Manager at Murrayside to make the home the happy place that it is, and I love any time that I get to spend with the residents and my wonderful team. Murrayside and its team feel like a family with one common goal of fulfilling residents’ lives.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, my daughter and our dog.

I moved sector and city when I joined the Murrayside team in 2020, I used to be the Trainee Manager of a five-star hotel in Aberdeen. When the pandemic started, I decided it was time for a change, and here I am.

I’m so grateful that I made the move into care, and came back to Edinburgh. I started out at Murrayside as a Receptionist/Administrator and I’ve worked my way up the ladder. It was a huge career highlight for me to be promoted into my current role as Customer Relations Manager at Murrayside.

I feel huge pride in being part of the Murrayside family. I love showing people around our amazing home, introducing them to the team, and showing them everything we have to offer. When I can, I enjoy chatting to residents and even getting involved in activities. I love seeing the residents making the most of each day.

I have eight years of experience within the care sector, and I initially began working at Murrayside when it first opened. I really enjoyed working there, and Care UK is a company that helps you grow through training and development, so I decided to go back in October 2022.

I worked as a Carer and Activities Coordinator before becoming the Lifestyle Lead at Murrayside, which has been the highlight of my career.

To do this job, it’s important to be caring and outgoing. My favourite moments are in between activities when I have one-to-one chats with residents. I enjoy getting to know them and hearing their life stories.

I’m enjoying planning and developing new ideas to keep Murrayside’s activity planner fresh and deliver a lifestyle that residents enjoy on a daily basis.

I’m very family orientated, so I spend my time off with my family, whether it’s shopping or going out for a meal. I love a holiday in the sun or in my caravan.

I moved to Murrayside in 2018 after spending 27 years in some of the best kitchens in the world. But I felt it was time to give something back to the community and use my skills to make other people’s lives better. This was the perfect opportunity to do that. 

Immediately prior to joining the team at Murrayside, I was the head chef in a 100-bedroom hotel. There are many similarities to heading the kitchen of a big hotel and a big care home: you need to be punctual, patient, calm and good with people. 

I’m really enjoying the challenge of providing residents with delicious and freshly prepared menu options that also meet their nutritional and dietary needs. Care UK’s ethos is all about helping residents to live fulfilling lives, and I believe that food plays a key part in that – supporting their health and wellbeing while bringing added joy to their day. 

Away from work I don’t get much time to have hobbies as I have three daughters who take up all my time!

I’ve been the head housekeeper in a five-star hotel, and I joined Care UK because the company has a superb reputation for being committed to delivering the same level of standards. I’m passionate about delivering the best in everything I do, so I was keen to work somewhere that reflected my own values. 

I love being busy and doing different things, so I enjoy every day. I take pride in our beautiful home and in leading a great time. I think the details are all-important, and I like spotting the little things that make all the difference to residents. 

That attention to detail is carried through in my interests outside of work – I love doing crafts, and I bring things in for my colleagues and the residents. It’s lovely to bring a smile to everyone’s faces.

I wanted to become the Murrayside IPC champion because I had some previous experience of IPC, which I enjoyed. I felt it would be a natural development to use these skills with Care UK. I started working in care homes because my mum lived with dementia for many years. I wanted a change in my nursing career, and when she moved into a care home and I saw the care and love she received from the nurses there, I realised that working in a care home was what I wanted to do.

It’s my responsibility to train colleagues in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), handwashing and to help them understand the latest policies. I work alongside all management and heads of department in a multidisciplinary team. I also keep up to date with all guidance from Health Protection Scotland and Public Health Scotland while keeping in mind Care UK’s policies. I make sure colleagues are aware of any changes.

Murrayside is a big home and there are lots of colleagues who work here and support residents to live independent and meaningful lives. During the pandemic we all came together to support teach other and to keep residents safe and well. It was fantastic to experience that.

I joined Care UK because I was moving to Edinburgh and was interested in a role in administration. I first worked at Care UK’s Lauder Lodge as Receptionist, before joining the team at Murrayside as Business Administrator. Receiving this promotion was a huge highlight in my career.

I love having a laugh with my colleagues, and being there for them when they need me is an important part of my role. In this role, you need strong organisational skills as well as a bit of banter! I’m proud that I can manage working under pressure and help out when I’m needed.

Outside of work, I love to meet up with my friends, try new recipes and find ways to be creative.

I joined Murrayside in 2018 after being asked by the manager if I wanted a new challenge. I worked in maintenance at another two companies before moving to Care UK.

To do this job well, I think you need patience, common sense and compassion. Every day is different, and I enjoy that there’s always a new challenge.

In all the homes that I’ve worked in, the highlight of my job is always meeting the different residents and hearing their stories.

Outside of work, I enjoy going fishing and looking after my wee princess – my granddaughter!

I’ve been a part of the Murrayside family since the care home opened in 2018. It’s been a dream of mine to work with a caring company, and I enjoy the opportunity to make people happy every day.

A good mascot has to be flexible, fun and good at telling jokes. My favourite part of the day is whenever I get to spend time with the residents, I always aim to make them smile and take pleasure in making each day as happy as it can be.