I have worked at Winchester House since 2009 and, throughout my time here, I have been a Healthcare Assistant, Team Leader and a Home Trainer. In 2016, I was offered the position of HR Administrator; and in 2017 I was promoted to Non-Clinical Deputy Manager.

I’m responsible for ensuring the delivery of high quality care to those we support, managing the implementation of company policies and regulatory requirements; and for achieving the best possible care ratings from external regulatory bodies.

I have worked at Winchester House for over 5 years; my first year was spent working as a Healthcare Assistant and then as an Activities Coordinator. 

Prior to joining Winchester House, I was a pub landlady, which may seem to be worlds away from what I do now, but actually required very similar skills - specifically interpersonal and organisational skills. 

We plan our activity rota every week to ensure that we can cater for the different resident groups and individual requirements. This can mean that one day I am organising a communion service, hosting entertainers and then popping out to buy birthday presents for residents; and the next day I may be calling bingo and assisting some of the gentlemen - and the odd lady - to our local B&Q for a workshop. 

I qualified as a Chef at the age of eighteen. At Winchester House we strive to give our residents and staff a varied and nutritious diet. All of our food is freshly cooked in our kitchen. We try not to use dietary supplements as we consider freshly cooked food, supplemented with nutritious snacks, such as smoothies and mousses, is more effective for maintaining and increasing individuals’ weights. This is underpinned by the focus of meal times being a social and important part of each and every day. 

One of my favourite things is to make cakes and I am lucky that we have so many birthdays and special events to celebrate that require the chef team to make beautiful cakes. 

My dear mother was a resident at Winchester House and was very happy here. After she passed away in 2013, I decided to apply for a job here as member of the housekeeping team. I love working here so much and I enjoy being able to put smiles on people’s faces every day. In 2016, I was promoted to Head Housekeeper.

I love the environment of Winchester House; no day is the same and I am very grateful to Barchester for giving me this opportunity. I hope that I will be here for many more years!