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Our team at
Winchcombe Place

Trusted to care in Newbury, Berkshire

Trusted to care in Newbury, Berkshire|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 Winchcombe Place team is large and diverse team but we’re all passionate about your loved one’s care, health and wellbeing. We support each other to do our best work and are here for you, our residents’ family members, too. Take a look at our colleague profiles to find out more about some of our team.

Claire Cullen

Home Manager

Claire Cullen

I have 30 years of experience working in care homes, and I was keen to join Care UK because of Winchcombe Place’s great reputation within the local community.

Before this, I was working as Home Manager of a nursing home for residents living with dementia who required nursing care.

As Home Manager of Winchcombe Place, it’s important that I’m empathetic, a good listener and have good leadership skills. I ensure I’m always open and transparent and show my own learning when needed.

My favourite part of the day is walking around the home and talking to residents, relatives and colleagues. By spending time with residents, I find out what else we can be doing to enhance their lives.

I’m proud of my achievements, including a career highlight of turning a home from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ within six months. But I also feel fulfilled when I see my team enhancing the lives of residents or progressing in their careers. Seeing the residents smile and having a great quality of life also makes everything we do worth it.

The most important part of my role is ensuring the safety of the residents and all those who visit Winchcombe Place. As both a manager and someone who has had a loved one live in a care home, I have valuable experience seeing care homes from both sides.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy family walks with my beautiful cockapoo Lottie, cooking and travelling.

Monika Vandana Goundar
Monika Vandana Goundar
Deputy Manager

I began my journey with Care UK in 2015 as a Health Care Assistant and have since developed my career through a variety of roles, including Senior HCA and Team Leader. I am now proud to be the Deputy Manager at Winchcombe Place.

In my current role, I work closely with colleagues across all departments to ensure we deliver high-quality, person-centred care to our residents. Strong communication, empathy, and approachability are essential in building trust and fostering a supportive environment for both our residents and team. I also place great value on team development and staff education, which are vital to maintaining the high standards we strive for.

One of the most rewarding parts of my day is walking around the home each morning to connect with residents, their families, and our team members. These interactions remind me of the meaningful impact we make every day.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time and creating lasting memories with my family and friends.

Emily Swatton
Emily Swatton
Customer Relations Manager

Before joining Care UK, I worked as a People & Communications Manager. I was drawn to the role because I’m passionate about supporting residents and guiding families through important decisions with empathy and reassurance. As Customer Relations Manager, I pride myself on being approachable, organised and calm, ensuring every family feels informed and supported through every stage of their journey.

Knowing that residents feel happy, comfortable and valued is the most rewarding part of my role. In my spare time, I enjoy baking, socialising and visiting National Trust properties. A career highlight for me was stepping into a management role very early into my career and proudly following in my family’s footsteps as the third generation in the care industry.

Jordan Mosdell
Jordan Mosdell
Lifestyle Lead

Hi, I'm Jordan the Lifestyle Lead at Winchcombe Place. I have completed a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care and have previously worked as a party host, holding events in the community. Before joining Care UK, I worked as a nursery worker and then had my two children.

I decided to work at Care UK because I wanted a fresh start in an industry where I could make a difference every day, ensuring residents are supported and encouraged to keep active. For my role, you need to be kind, organised, enthusiastic, think outside the box and be forward thinking.

My favourite part of my day is seeing residents engaging in activities tailored to their interests and abilities, and I enjoy when relatives join in too.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my two young children and friends. My biggest career highlight is becoming Lifestyle Lead at Winchcombe Place after taking time at home to care for my children.

I’m proud of the friendships we build with residents and the strong links we’ve made with our local community. The most important part of my role is ensuring residents’ preferences and wishes are reflected in our weekly lifestyle planners so everyone can take part in activities suited to them.

Gary Shaw
Gary Shaw
Head Chef

I have 20 years’ experience working in the catering industry, but for years I have cooked for people who wanted food, whereas now I am cooking for people who need food and it is much more rewarding.

My biggest professional challenge so far has been to run a 280-seat restaurant with a team of 16 chefs in Edinburgh. My highlight was catering the opening of the Dolphin Adventure Centre in Pangbourne and meeting Prince Edward, who was opening the centre.

My role requires you to be good at listening to what the residents want and what their expectations are. It is also very important to have a good team and get them to contribute their ideas into work practices and menus.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my partner and kids, as well as the occasional game of golf.

Julie Blissett
Julie Blissett
Business Administrator

I have worked in domiciliary care and care homes for 27 years within a few roles from care, administration and management.

In this role you need to be a great listener, friendly and organised.  What makes me proud of my role is helping people and ensuring that their enquiries are dealt with.

My favourite part of the day is being able to interact with the residents, relatives and my team. 

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and grandchildren. I enjoy a variety of holidays from camping to lazing by the pool abroad.

Dawn Hill
Dawn Hill
Receptionist

Previously I used to work in administration before leaving that role to care for my mum with Parkinsons. Which lead me to apply for my role as receptionist here at Winchcombe Place. I love working with not only the staff at Winchcombe but also helping residents and supporting them, and it makes my day if I make a difference to their day.

As my role of receptionist, you need to be polite, friendly and organised. I believe the most important part of my role is to be friendly and greet everyone that comes through the door.

I’m proud to work for Care UK and do all I can to support the residents, family members and our team. I might not be in a clinical role, but I am made to feel valued, and I like to make a difference for the people I work for. I am very lucky for that.

Vicky Panting
Vicky Panting
Head Housekeeper

Before joining Winchcombe Place, I was working as a bakery assistant. I was keen to work at the home when I saw the opportunity was available.

My favourite part of my day is speaking to the residents in the home, but ensuring the day-to-day running of my department is going well is the most important part of my role. As Head Housekeeper, I believe it’s important to be caring, passionate, hardworking and friendly.

I feel proud when I know I’ve done my job to the best of my ability. In fact, the highlight of my career is when I received an employee of the month award!

Outside of work, I enjoy baking, sewing and crafting.

David Chandler
David Chandler
Maintenance

I’ve been working for Care UK since 2017, and prior to that was Maintenance Manager at a medium secure hospital for many years. I wanted to join the Winchcombe Place team because I felt I had valuable skills and experience to bring which would benefit older people.

Moving my career to Care UK has been such a great move for me – challenging me and enabling me to develop. I think it’s important to be professional and caring in this role, and it’s vital that everything you do is done with understanding, and a smile.

Every resident at Winchcombe Place, and at all other Care UK homes, is ‘resident of the day’ at least once a month. This is a chance to ensure that their care and lifestyle and all aspects of their daily life are meeting their needs and wishes. As part of this initiative I check the resident’s bedroom to ensure it’s safe and everything is working properly. I get to have a chat with them too, which is very rewarding, and gives me a chance to get to know them better.

Bella
Bella
Canine Relations Manager

My mum, Julie is the Business Administrator at the home, and I’m a helper too. I came to work with her one day and didn’t want to leave, so we made the decision that I should work here on a permanent basis as part of the team.

My job is to put smiles on faces and to share the love. I visit all floors within the home and I can even come to your room if you wish. I have so much love to give that I just to share it with anyone I meet. I love a stroke and cuddle, but if I sit longer enough will I get an extra biscuit or three?

I am here to be your furry best friend, you can even take me for a walk – perhaps to the shop to share a fresh pack of digestives?

Our experienced teams

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

Careers

If you are keen to be part of a growing organisation that’s focused on delivering high quality care while having fun in a family atmosphere, get started with Care UK today.

Visit our careers page

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.