Meet the Snowdrop Place Care Home Team

Our trained team of professionals work together to create the best possible experience for those living in the home, striving to deliver excellent care services in a warm, homely environment. You can find out more about some of our wonderful staff members below:

Gemma Hicks

General Manager

Hi, my name is Gemma and I am the General Manager here at Snowdrop Place. Welcome to the website!

I have worked in the healthcare sector since 2015, in both public and independent services. As an experienced General Manager, I qualified as a registered Adult nurse in 2006 from the University of Southampton School of Nursing and Midwifery and then began my nursing career in the social care sector. My love for working with the elderly came like many, from looking after my grandmother in my teenage years.

I am extremely passionate about delivering exceptional, person-centred care to residents and ensuring high standards of support. Residents should have the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest. I enjoy working with residents, their loved ones and the staff team here at Snowdrop Place.

Alina Danetiu

Deputy Manager

Hello, my name is Alina and I am the Deputy Manager at Snowdrop Place Care Home. I have a background in HR, IT, and finance, but I decided to pursue a career in healthcare when I moved to the UK in 2015. My first experience with the residents I supported had a profound impact on me, and it changed my perspective on life. It made me realise the difference that good care and compassion can make in a person's life.

In my previous roles, I spent most of my time in an office, surrounded only by my computer, paperwork, and occasional phone calls. But in my current role, I take home with me the smiles, hugs, and happiness of the residents I care for. It is the greatest reward.

Since starting my career in healthcare, I have continued to develop my skills and knowledge. I have achieved Level 2 and Level 3 in Adult Care, a distinction in Dementia Care, and a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership of Health and Social Care Adults with distinction. I am an adaptable person with good business acumen and a positive attitude.

As a passionate healthcare professional, I am committed to leading my team in delivering outstanding care to our residents. I practice an open-door policy for residents, relatives, and staff, as they are at the heart of what we do at Snowdrop Place Care Home.

 

Fiona Kinsman

Home Services Advisor

Hi. my name is Fiona and I am the Home Services Advisor at Snowdrop Place. I have had the privilege of working in the new build homes sector for a considerable time. However, I felt the need for a change and joined Barchester to pursue my passion for helping people in a different way. My extensive experience in assisting people, choosing and personalising their dream homes has been extremely beneficial in my current role. It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of our lovely resident's journey and assist their relatives in selecting the right care home for their loved ones. It is an honour to be able to contribute to their well-being and demonstrate the benefits of life in a Barchester care home. When I am not working, I take pleasure in spending time with my two dogs, Reggie and Ruby. I also love competing with my new forest ponies..

Justyna Scigacz

Care Community Lead

Hi, my name is Justyna and I was part of the Barchester housekeeping team in 2019. However, in 2020, I realised that I wanted to do more for our residents and decided to apply for the position of carer. After going through a rigorous process, I was thrilled to be offered the role.

Since then, I've been fortunate enough to progress my career and now work as a care community lead. I am responsible for overseeing the care of our residents and supporting my team in delivering the finest care possible. It's an absolute pleasure to work with such a dedicated team of staff and lovely residents every day.

As someone passionate about my work, I always strive to deliver the best possible results for our residents. I believe that our residents deserve nothing but the best and I am committed to fulfilling that promise. Whether it's ensuring that they receive their medication on time or simply spending time with them, I take pride in my work and always try to go above and beyond what is expected of me.

I also believe in supporting my team in any way I can. Being a care community lead is not just about managing the care of our residents but also about supporting and empowering the team to deliver the highest quality care possible. I believe in leading by example and always try to be a positive role model for my team.

 

Nicola Stutchbury

Care Community Lead

Hello! My name is Nicky and I am currently a community lead at Snowdrop Place. I have a lot of experience working in this field, starting back in 2022 when I began as a part-time carer. I take great pride in my work and I love interacting with the residents daily. It brings me joy to make a difference in their lives and to give back to the community in any way that I can.

Outside of my work, I have a busy life as a parent of three teenagers. They keep me on my toes and make sure that I am always on the go. 

I feel incredibly fortunate to be in my current position at Snowdrop Place. Every day is a new adventure, filled with opportunities to make a difference and to have a positive impact on the lives of others. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.

Maria Morris

Administrator

Hi my name is Maria Morris and I am part of the Reception Admin team here at Snowdrop Place.

As someone who has recently been promoted to the role of administrator, I am committed to providing the best possible support to both our staff and residents. I am excited to take on this new challenge and eager to learn new skills that will enable me to better serve our community.

As part of my role, I will be available to assist you with any enquiries you may have, whether it be about our services or any other questions you may have. I believe that listening to your feedback and concerns is paramount to my success in this role, and I am committed to providing you with the support you need.

So if you have any questions or simply want to say hello, please don't hesitate to stop by and introduce yourself. I look forward to meeting you!

I have previously worked in Retail Management, Schools and in the Admin Office for a small business.

Outside of work I love to cook much to the delight of my family and friends, we also enjoy travelling and experience different foods, it also gives me an chance to practice my Spanish.

 

 

Gemma Moss

Activities Coordinator

Having started my journey as a carer, I am now thrilled to be supporting the activities for our wonderful residents here at Snowdrop Place. I love working with them to ensure we provide a full person-centred planner of amazing and engaging things for everyone to enjoy and be a part of

Michael Le Poidevin

Head Chef

I am thrilled to be Head Chef here at Snowdrop Place. I have over 50 years and a wealth of experience in delivering excellent cuisine in luxury settings and like nothing more than to be set a challenge to make the unusual. Listening to our residents and making each meal time a pleasure is what drives me 

Paul Edwards

Head of Maintenance

"Hello, my name is Paul and I am proud to be the Head of Maintenance at my workplace. I have been working in the care industry for the past seven years and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Formerly as a Support Service Manager, I have gained valuable experience that has helped me excel in my current role. 

When I'm not at work, I indulge in my passion for Boa constrictors. I currently have five of them and I enjoy taking care of them in my spare time. Apart from that, I'm also interested in conservation and herbology. I believe in taking care of our planet and all the living beings in it. 

Lastly, I have four lovely grandchildren who keep me very busy. Spending time with them is always a joy and a great way to unwind after a long day."

Carol Collins

Head Housekeeper

I love working in the care sector and supporting our residents daily. I am really passionate about the work I do. I am married with 3 daughters and I have 4 beautiful grandchildren. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, we go for walks, bake and play games. We also love to laugh a lot!

Liz Barber

Receptionist

Hello, it's a pleasure to introduce myself to you. My name is Liz, and I work as the admin assistant and receptionist at Snowdrop Place -  As the first point of contact, I take pride in welcoming you with a big smile, a warm greeting and the offer of a hot drink and slice of delicious cake. I'm always ready to assist you with any queries you might have and guide you throughout your visit to ensure that you have a memorable experience.

 

Rutendo Jambo

Senior Care Assistant

Hi, my name is Rutendo Jambo. I am a BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care graduate. I also attained from Kingston College a Foundation Diploma in Nursing. I have many years’ experience working in healthcare. After completing my studies I moved back to my home country Zimbabwe where I worked as a Pyscho-Social Support Worker at an NGO supporting children with cancer. 

Working as a healthcare professional is personally satisfying and enriching. It makes me feel I am making a valuable contribution to society and a sense of personal satisfaction that I made the right career choice. My personal character, past life experiences and lessons have also helped in shaping my career as a healthcare worker. I like being around people, I enjoy being helpful, caring, willingness to help others and always am genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of others. I have a keen interest in the development of health and social care in society through continuously assessing my own personal contribution to it as well as learning and adopting to trends in that area and furthering my education in healthcare.

Katie Venis

Senior Care Assistant

My name is Katie and I am a Senior Carer at Snowdrop Place.

I am looking forward to my future here at Snowdrop Place as a Senior Care Assistant.

I have worked in the care sector for 9years and look forward to using my knowledge to support our residents. at snowdrop place.

Ashley Varocky

Senior Care Assistant Dementia Champion

Hi, my name is Ashley and  I feel extremely proud to be a part of the Snowdrop team.

I started my journey with Barchester Healthcare as a carer through their sponsorship programme. My role included providing compassionate care to patients and ensuring their daily needs were met with utmost care and attention.

As time went by, I was given the opportunity to develop my skills and progress professionally. I worked hard and eventually became a senior carer, which was a great accomplishment for me.

 I was also given a chance to become a dementia champion. This role is special to me as it allows me to use my knowledge and experience to support patients with dementia and their families. I strive every day to make a positive impact in their lives and help them to live with dignity and respect.

I am grateful for the opportunities that Barchester Healthcare has given me, and I am proud to be a part of the Snowdrop team.

Joshua Cross

Care Assistant

Meet Joshua, a compassionate and skilled member of the Snowdrop Place team. With his background in healthcare, Joshua brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role. He was thrilled to be given the opportunity to work at Snowdrop Place and is passionate about utilising his skills to make a positive difference in the lives of residents. Joshua is grateful for the chance to take his career to the next level and always leaves work with a smile, knowing he has made a difference in the lives of the lovely residents he helps care for.

Sophie James

Care Assistant

Sophie is a dedicated carer at Snowdrop Place,  she finds her job rewarding and fulfilling. Every day brings new experiences and challenges, making it an ideal profession. As a people person, she cherishes the opportunity to interact with the residents and their families, providing them with compassionate care and support. When she is not at work, she spends her time with her three young children and indulges in the company of her beloved cats, which are her favourite animals.

Ester Sanu

Care Assistant

Hello, I am Ester, a dedicated carer at Snowdrop Place. I am passionate about providing compassionate support, I strive to create a positive and nurturing environment for the residents I care for.

I have committed myself to making a difference to people's lives, I bring empathy and kindness to every interaction I have at Snowdrop Place.

Rachel Marriott

Activities Assistant, Dementia Champion

Hello, I'm Rachel, and I feel incredibly grateful to be working as an activities assistant at Snowdrop Place. As a part of the activities team, I take immense pride in contributing to the life enrichment program for our residents. Being able to spend quality time with them, participate in events that they cherish, and encourage their involvement in activities that they love brings me an immense sense of joy and fulfilment.

When I'm not at work, I love to indulge in two of my favourite hobbies - reading and taking my furry friends for long walks. Matilda, my adorable basset, and my rescue dog Massie, are my constant companions. They keep me active and entertained, and I always look forward to spending time with them. Whether we're exploring new walking trails or snuggling up with a good book, I adore every moment I get to spend with my furry friends.