Meet the Lawton Rise Care Home Team

Our wonderful team comprises nurses, carers, activities coordinators, chefs, housekeepers and more. These people are here to ensure that residents enjoy their time at the home and are supported to live life to the fullest. Meet some of our staff below:

Jennifer Dale

General Manager

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I am the General Manager here at Lawton Rise.  Welcome to our website!

I have worked at Lawton Rise since March 2018 and started my career here as a night nurse, progressing to Clinical Lead, Deputy Manager and then the Manager’s position in October 2019.  I have recently supported the home through a CQC inspection achieving a rating of ‘Good’.

After completing my Adult Nursing Degree in 2015 I worked in Acute Medicine and Emergency and Trauma Nursing in the NHS before moving to Lawton Rise, my experience in these areas have proved essential in ensuring that the clinical aspect of our residents care is met.  I have always felt very passionate about dementia care and during my time working in Acute Medicine in Manchester, I became a Dementia Champion and Dementia Lead for the Acute Medical Unit.

I am passionate about Person-Centred Dementia and Nursing care and feel that my approachable attitude and knowledge about the home and our residents has a positive impact on our team, relatives and health care professionals.

Hayley Kirkham

Nurse

Hi, my name is Hayley and I have recently returned back to Lawton Rise as a Registered Nurse. I left Lawton Rise initially in 2015 when I was a carer to commence my Nurse training.
I qualified as a Registered Nurse in 2018 and went to work at the local acute trust and was there until 2024.
I have worked within the care sector for nearly 20 years and caring is something I feel very passionate about. It is a privilege to be able to work with a team who want the best for the people they look after.

John Podmore

Registered Mental Health Nurse

Hi, my name is John and I am a Registered Mental Health Nurse. I have previously worked as a Healthcare Assistant, all the way through to a Registered Nursing Associate. During this time I have won a Nursing Times award for my practice alongside other awards from university, I have practiced in a number of areas from District Nursing, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities to being an A&E Nurse. This has enhanced my skill and abilities in a number of ways. However, through all of this my interest has been Dementia and how it effects individuals. This area of nursing is ever growing and is something I want to be part of.

Anju Kunnummel

Nurse

Hello, my name is Anju and I have been working as a Registered Nurse at Lawton Rise since November 2021. I have worked in Health and Social Care for over 14 years. I completed Nursing and Midwifery in India and worked in intensive care in speciality hospitals. I arrived in England in 2010, completed my degree in health and social care and worked as a Nutritionist in London for 6 years. I am passionate about delivering person centred care to residents, making a positive impact on their lives.

Julie Gillooley

Home Administrator

Hello, my name is Julie and I am a Home Administrator at Lawton Rise.   I have worked here since January 2018, however have experience within the care sector of 5 years. I am often the first face that visitors see upon entering the home and I strive to always give an extremely warm welcome. My responsibilities include payroll, recruitment and relationship management with families and professionals. I also perform show-rounds, support the team with day-to-day tasks and answer phone enquiries.

I enjoy coming to work as my job is varied and continues to challenge me daily, I also find it extremely rewarding to socialise with our residents and knowing I have a positive impact on their lives.

Kate Franks

Activities Coordinator

Hi, my name is Kate Franks and I have returned to Lawton Rise August 2023 to work as an Activities Coordinator.  I started my career working as a Legal Secretary in the Conveyancing department before leaving to commence employment with the Health Authority as a Medical Secretary.

After having my two children I retrained to work as a Teaching Assistant in a Primary School for ten years and studied for a Higher Level Teaching Assistance qualification enabling to progress my career.

Due to illness within my family I needed to focus on a role closer to home but I am delighted to be able to return to the home and it feels like I have never been away. The staff and residents are so welcoming and helpful and I am really pleased that I have returned.

Emma Golden

Head Chef

Hi, my name is Emma and I am the Head Chef here at Lawton Rise. I began working here at the home as a Kitchen Assistant and I have worked my way up to the role of Head Chef. I enjoy providing nutritious food for those we support and ensuring that all likes and preferences are catered for. I love seeing the effect a delicious home-baked cake or fresh, cold smoothie can have on our residents day.

Gareth Hancock

Head of Maintenance

Gareth joined the team at Lawton Rise recently after working in various similar roles. Gareth enjoys the interaction and variation the role of Head of Maintenance brings and enjoys working in the care environment. He feels privileged to be able to make a difference to people’s lives by ensuring their home and surroundings are well maintained and presented to a high standard. Prior to joining the Lawton Rise team, Gareth worked as Head of Maintenance at another local care home.

Shannon Warrilow

Admin Assistant

Hi, my name is Shannon and I am an Admin Assistant at Lawton Rise Care home.

I have worked here since May 2023, however, have a lot of years’ experience in Administration in various environments.

I enjoy meeting & greeting visitors in the home and I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know the residents and socialising with them.

The role is challenging but extremely rewarding and no two days are ever the same, I am very excited to continue to learn more about the home & the residents and fulfilling my role the best that I can.

Amy Smale

Care Practitioner

Hello, my name is Amy Smale and I am a Care Home Assistant Practitioner. I started to work at Lawton Rise in 2014 as a Carer then moved up to Senior Carer.  I have been in the role of Care Home Assistant Practitioner for over two years.

Zoe Brown

Care Assistant Practitioner

Hello, my name is Zoe Brown and I am a Care Home Assistant Practitioner. I started to work at Lawton Rise in 2003 as the Activities Coordinator. 18 months later I moved to the role of Carer. I worked my way up to Senior Carer and now the role of Care Home Assistant Practitioner which I have been in for over two years. I enjoy working in dementia care, every day, every hour is different and there is never a dull moment. Looking after our residents is very rewarding.

Adele Phillips

Care Practitioner

My name is Adele and I have just qualified as a Care Practitioner at Lawton Rise Care Home.  I started my Dementia journey in 1997 at Lawton Rise as I knew that a career working with people who had Dementia would be a very rewarding career.

Having started my career as a Carer, I worked hard to complete my NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in care.  Following my success, I was promoted to Senior Carer which enabled me to further my knowledge of in all aspects of work in the home.  This enabled me to have a greater understanding of all the different roles within our home and how each role has a positive impact on our residents.  A whole team approach is very visible at Lawton Rise.

This year, I have gone on to qualify as a Care Practitioner, assisting the Nursing staff and Management with the smooth running of the home.  I thoroughly enjoy working at Lawton Rise, where we are one big happy family!

Chloe Willis

Senior Care Assistant

Hi, my name is Chloe! I have been working in care as a Care Assistant and a Senior Care Assistant for nearly 9 years, Lawton Rise being the third car home I have worked in, I can see care being my career for the rest of my working life as I thoroughly enjoy making a difference to people’s lives. I love getting to know the residents and their relatives and gaining their trust. I hope to achieve a promotion to Care Practitioner in a few years time to gain experience for other future possibilities. As heart breaking as dementia is for the resident and their loved ones, I am passionate about finding ways we can support them in every way possible to make their days a little brighter.

Mamta Niraula

Senior Carer

Living in Nepal, I completed my Diploma & worked in the Intensive Care Unit at a local hospital, following this in 2022, I completed my bachelors in Nursing which then prompted my move to the UK.

I started my nursing degree with Barchester in November 2023, I am looking forward to becoming a Registered Nurse & continuing to care for & help the residents we look after.

Jenny, Pauline and Kirsty

Dementia Champions

The role of the Dementia Care Champion is pivotal within our home. Dementia Care Champions receive additional training from the Dementia Care Team and act as coaches within our home. The Dementia Care Champions work closely with the Dementia Care Specialist to ensure that good Dementia care is being maintained and that any potential ‘issues’ have a quick resolution.

Lynzi Bonsall

Activities Assistant

Hi, my name is Lynzi and I am an Activities Assistant at Lawton Rise.  I have recently finished a College course for photography and hair and beauty, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I have always been interested in working in care and feel that an Activities Assistant role is ideal for me.  I am looking forward to learning new skills and gaining more experience of Dementia, as it is a condition close to my heart.  I hope that I can bring some joy to the residents here and make a difference to their lives.

Summer Coventry

Activities Assistant

Hi, my name is Summer and I have just joined Lawton Rise Care Home, as an Activities Assistant.  I have recently finished my course at College and have always enjoyed helping people and making a difference to their lives.  I feel that my new role as an Activities Assistant will be an extremely rewarding role and I am really excited to start working with the residents here. 

Pat Fox

Housekeeper

Hello, my name is Pat and I am a Housekeeper at Lawton Rise. I initially joined Lawton Rise in 2002. I assist in managing the housekeeping team, such as planning rota, ordering supplies and assigning tasks to team members. Due to the nature of my job, I work across the home so have the chance to get to know all of our residents. I find this extremely rewarding as I play a part in making their day enjoyable. When time allows it, I love to catch up with residents, have a joke and offer my assistance to the care team. I have recently received my 20 year, long service award.