Our team at
Pinetum

I left homecare looking for a change and came to Pinetum as a Unit Manager. After learning about Care UK, I felt they had the good qualities I was looking for in a care provider.

As a Deputy Manager, you need to be very patient, organised and have good time keeping. It’s important to have good communication skills, be a good listener and be able to deal with confrontation. Communicating with colleagues and relatives and being there to listen is a key part of my role.

I enjoy when the team comes together in our meetings. All colleagues at Pinetum meet to discuss any issues or concerns they have and find solutions. Learning new skills has been challenging, and we’re a very busy home, but I’m proud to have learned quickly and stepped up to this role.

Outside of work, I have two grandsons and another on the way – they're my world. I spend all my free time treating them.

I knew someone who worked here and they said good things about the home, so I thought I’d find out for myself.

There’s such a strong family atmosphere here. A lot of colleagues join and stay for a long time because they love working here, and I’m the same. That’s a good sign for relatives who know that their loved one is getting good quality, consistent care from people who know them well. We’re a strong, secure team, even though Covid did its best to challenge us! We came back stronger. 

In my spare time I like to do crosswords, watch motor sport and I like to relax with some yoga.  

I joined Care UK the following year as I liked the concept of fulfilling lives and it gave me for flexibility to support my parents. 
Care UK enables its colleagues to continue developing their skills and expertise, and I’ve become a student nurse assessor/supervisor, as well as the home’s Infection Prevention and Control Champion.

Working as a nurse in a care home is extremely rewarding because you have so many opportunities to build strong relationships with the residents and support them to live a rewarding and enriching life. We have lovely conversations as they’re so full of stories and life experiences. 

I like to unwind by singing and listening to/playing music. I enjoy TV detective shows, as well as nature and history programmes. And you can’t beat a walk in the countryside. 

Here everyone cares about each other, and there’s a strong family ethos.

Care UK and the team at Pinetum have supported me to learn and grow from a care role into being a Business Administrator, but during the pandemic I did go back to supporting as a carer on the different floors of the home. It was all hands to the pumps, and I was very happy to support my colleagues and the residents. It’s not a challenge I want to go through again, but the pandemic has made us an even stronger, close-knit team. 

In my role as Business Administrator I need to know various systems, to juggle a variety of tasks, and to be friendly, polite and approachable. I still enjoy catching up with residents and finding ways to make each day even better for them. In this role I also get to forge strong ties with their family members too, as well as other visitors and people in the community. It’s very varied, which I love.

I found it here at Pinetum!

I’m a survivor of throat cancer, which makes you very appreciative of the little things in life. I love getting residents ready for the day, helping them to feel fresh and comfortable, which helps to improve their mood and outlook. I also enjoy supporting them to enjoy fresh air and time in the garden (when the weather permits!).
Every day at Pinetum is a highlight to me, and every day offers different challenges to tackle and win. It’s a great place to work. Residents are our priority but colleagues are like a big family and working with them makes my days fun and rewarding. 

I’m a big horse lover, so, in my free time you can find me riding or relaxing at the yard looking after these gorgeous animals. 

There’s a great team here at the home. We work well together. The pandemic was hugely challenging for everyone here, but I’m really proud of how everyone managed. Patience, understanding and a good sense of humour get you a long way!

I’m pleased I made the move into the care sector and to Pinetum. It’s a friendly, supportive environment and we take pride in delivering great care. 

In my free time I like to catch up with friends and family, and it’s great to get out and discover new places. I’m also really into puzzles, which help me to switch off. 

I love working in a care home, though, as it brings me huge joy. I moved into a housekeeping role as I felt it offered more responsibility.

Getting the Head Housekeeping role has been a huge highlight for me as I enjoy managing a team, keeping the home clean and tidy and ensuring the residents are happy and have everything they need. 

Every day brings a new challenge, but I tend to see it as an opportunity, whether it’s moving team members around to get all the jobs done, or a chance for me to learn something new. 

When I’m not at work I like meeting up with friends, and I love a spa day!