Hello, I am Debbie Burns, the acting Deputy Manager at Lancaster Grange.

I am a registered nurse with 40 years’ experience, starting with the NHS working in care for the elderly, acute medicine, the National Blood Service and NHS community nursing. I came to Lancaster Grange having worked at Barchester Edingley Lodge as a senior nurse.

I have joined a great team at Lancaster Grange, where our greatest desire is to deliver quality person centred care to each resident

I studied at Nottingham University School of Nursing, where I graduated in January 2012. My first placement was at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, where I stayed for two years & gained some great experience. I then took a position in a care home as an RGN and, in 2015, I started at Lancaster Grange. In 2017, I was promoted to Senior RGN. I love my job and enjoy being part of a great team. 

I joined Lancaster Grange in May 2019, bringing with me a wealth of knowledge in accounting and HR. I first started my career in the manufacturing industry and then moved into financial services, working with pensions and HR issues. I am privileged to work for an amazing team here at Lancaster Grange, and I am always here to help.

I have worked at Lancaster Grange since 2014. I started my journey working in the kitchen and as a Hostess, and I found myself interacting and wanting to spend more time with the residents in the home, which spurred me on to apply for a role on our activities team – and I feel that I have found my passion in life!

I was named as a Divisional Winner at the 2017 Barchester Care Awards in the 'Activities Coordinator of the Year' category, and I can honestly say I enjoy every day working here, knowing that I am making a difference to residents' lives. 

I always endeavor to provide a varied and exciting activities programme, and pride myself on meeting each and every person's needs. I have a fabulous group of volunteers behind me, who offer their help with one-to-one sessions, befriending groups and trips out.

I have great relationships with our 2 sister homes and we often visit each other for coffee morning and other events. 

I have 2 great assistants on the team and their input and hard work just proves how much we are all dedicated to making residents' lives meaningful.

Dan has been part of the team at Lancaster Grange since we opened. He very quickly showed his style and expertise with food, which resulted in him being promoted to Chef Manager. Since his promotion, visitors to the home have complimented it on its cuisine, with many returning to sample the canapés and cakes that we have now developed a reputation for!

Having worked previously in hotels and restaurants, this is Dan's first experience in the care sector; the fresh ingredients used and the standard of food expected was a pleasant surprise to him.

His interests include making furniture, interior design and, as you would expect... baking!

Nikki has been a housekeeper for three years and a head housekeeper for two. She joined the team in June 2013, so has seen the home completed, playing a significant part in the ‘fit out’ and preparations for our VIP opening. Nikki has elevated her department to a centre of excellence, training new housekeeping recruits for our region in Barchester. Her lovely family join in many of our social events as part of the Lancaster Grange family, which consists of residents, relatives and staff with their own families. Nikki has unbelievably just become a grandmother for the 4th time!