Our team at
The DurhamGate

I was previously a unit manager and have a level five in health and social care, so being able to progress to my current position has been a highlight for me. I look forward to using my years of experience and knowledge to help residents and colleagues feel seen and valued.

Working in care means you need to be a good listener, friendly, calm and approachable. It is also important to be able to cope under pressure, every day is different and you never know what challenges you may face.

The best part of the day for me, is taking time to speak with residents, having a chat and finding out more about them. There’s always an interesting story to be heard.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going for walks in nature and watching documentaries.

As Lifestyle Lead, the most important part of my job is to make every day memorable for as many residents as I can.

To do that, you need to be happy, smiley and definitely a glass half full type of person. You also have to be caring, understanding and patient; I think a well-balanced approach is essential.

I love being able to make residents smile, and I feel proud knowing I make a positive difference to people. One time, I helped a lady get back into swimming. She hadn’t been for years and feared that she never would again, but she did it! It is moments like that which make this work so rewarding.

In my spare time, I like to get out of the house and be active at the gym. I also love spending time with my family and going on holiday.

I’ve been a professional chef for years and once cooked for Princess Margaret.

As Head Chef, you need to be organised, have good management skills and budget control. It goes without saying that you also need to be able to cook to a very high standard.

Every meal here is made to the best of our ability and it’s a great feeling to see people enjoy the food you’ve prepared. I particularly enjoy cake decorating so I always look forward to the opportunity to do that.

In my spare time, I like to travel in our motor home.

I joined Care UK because I wanted a career change and opportunities to progress. I also enjoy helping people and I’m really looking forward to fulfilling this role.

Having a friendly face and being approachable is an important part of being Business Administrator. People come to me to help solve queries and problems so good listening skills and body language are essential too. I also think you need to be efficient and have attention to detail as the information I process has to be correct.

When I am not at work, I love going on walks with my family and spending time with friends.

Before I started working in care, I earned a business travel qualification which led to a really interesting job at the time. Since then, I also gained a level three in health and social care and was previously a care assistant here.

As Head Housekeeper, it is important to me that the home is clean, tidy and that everyone feels comfortable and happy here. I often like to stop and chat with residents and see how they’re doing.

In my spare time, I enjoy family get togethers and trips to the Northumberland coast and Lake District.

I have a diploma in arboriculture too. Previously, I ran my own business and also worked in senior maintenance at Beamish Hall.

The most important part of my role is to make sure the home is compliant and that health and safety is prioritised. It always makes me feel good, knowing that all residents feel safe here. When I can, I like to stop and have a chat with them and find out if there’s anything they need fixing in their rooms. Being able to help people in a practical way everyday is really rewarding and it’s a job I’m proud of.

Working in the care sector means it is important to be compassionate and understanding. You also need to be aware of what is going on around you and have empathy towards others.

I like to keep busy in my spare time and I have a lot of hobbies. I enjoy gaming, fishing and I’m a collector. I also have an allotment and play guitar in a band. Baking is another favourite past time of mine, and I sometimes bring in treats for everyone here which always goes down well.