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Our team at
The Wickets

Trusted to care in Southampton

Trusted to care in Southampton|With 40 years’ experience,
Care UK are experts in delivering award winning care|Care UK is the most awarded care home provider for the last four years|Discover why Care UK is trusted to care by over 10,000 families

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Meet our friendly care team

The dedicated and experienced team at The Wickets will provide your loved one with care that’s completely tailored to their individual needs and wishes.

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Pooja Dhoot

Home Manager

Pooja Dhoot

I have a master’s degree in microbiology and a level three in education and teaching.

I also have an operations manager qualification. I joined Care UK in 2020, mainly because of its reputation.

As a relief manager, I provide support in the absence of a permanent home manager. In this role, you need to have strong leadership skills and be able to stay calm and multitask in challenging situations. The nature of our work also means it’s essential to have empathy and compassion.

I would say the most important aspect of my job is to provide homes with the support they need, so they are compliant and meet all the regulatory standards expected of them. My approach is to ensure teams feel empowered through good coaching and mentoring. I always feel incredibly proud when I see teams be the best they can be.

For me, knowing I’m doing a good job comes from seeing a happy home with happy residents, families and colleagues. One particular highlight was when I managed Carpathia Grange which received an ‘outstanding’ rating for the ‘caring’ category in its last CQC inspection in 2024.

In my spare time I love travelling and reading.

Nikki Toomer
Nikki Toomer
Customer Relations Manager

I’ve worked in the care sector for 30 years. In that time, I’ve been a carer, an NHS nurse, and a manager in an elderly care rehabilitation unit.

I previously worked at another Care UK home – Carpathia Grange in Hythe, where I also worked with Pooja Dhoot, who provides amazing leadership. It feels wonderful working with Pooja again here at The Wickets.

I’ve had a varied career, but the highlight for me was gaining my adult nursing qualification at Leeds University. I’m proud to work in a care home, knowing that we have a fantastic team that always strives to provide the very best care.

The most important aspects of my current role are to be supportive and knowledgeable. I am here to help people make decisions that are right for them, no matter what their personal situation is.

My favourite part of the day is first thing in the morning, making a coffee for myself and any residents that are up. It’s lovely and calm and you get a chance to say hello and have a chat.

Outside of work, my time is filled with my four fabulous children. I also love to travel when I can.

Our experienced teams

Every day Care UK colleagues live our values of passionate, caring and teamwork to empower residents to enjoy fulfilling lives.

Carers

Our hardworking teams always keep individuals and their families at the heart of the care they provide. We work with you to shape the care your loved one receives, the food they’re served, the activities and experiences they want to do – even the ways they prefer to keep in touch with their friends and family. 

Nurses

The nurses at Care UK are highly skilled and receive sector-leading training, which enables them to keep developing expertise in different clinical fields from dementia to palliative care.

Lifestyle

Our dedicated lifestyle teams work hard to organise a range of activities and events at our home. From gardening and baking to quizzes, music sessions and even live entertainment. Above all, we get to know your loved one to make sure our activities are tailored to suit their interests and hobbies.

Home support roles

From catering to maintenance, housekeeping to administration, our home support teams play a crucial part in ensuring individuals enjoy an exceptional and safe service every day.

All our teams get to know each person they care for to ensure they provide a service that’s designed around their unique needs and tastes. 

Infection control

Every colleague receives training in infection prevention and control as part of their induction and updates regularly through online and in-person learning. Our dedicated IPC Champions in each home help embed safe working practices and raise awareness of hygiene standards.