Tennyson Grange

I've worked for Care UK since 2013 and joined because I wanted to work for a growing company that provided the highest level of care for residents. 

In this role theres no standing still. As well as listening to residents and your team you need to inspire them to do their best and all while looking for ways to improve the way we work and deliver the best. However, there are always moments to enjoy seeing residents enjoying the lifestyle that living here gives them. 

In my free time I love travelling and camping. Ive visted Europe, America and some of Asia. I like travelling around in my old VW campervan.

I've worked in the nursing profession for the last 27 years. Prior to working at Tennyson Grange, I worked for five years in a tertiary orthopedic hospital and spent 19 years in the brain and neurological field. I’ve been a Ward Manager, a Specialist Nurse Manager and a Registered Manager in a rehabilitation facility.

I think a range of expertise is crucial to being effective in my role, and you also need to be resilient, self-motivated, have a drive for excellence and be determined to advocate for the people in your care.

There's so much that brings me satisfaction in my role, from meeting with the team and providing clinical coaching, to resolving families' worries. On a lighter note, in a previous role I used to initiate singalongs and dancing when I worked the night shift. Watch this space - I'm looking for opportunities to join in with activities at Tennyson Grange when I can!

I was a Director and Independent Financial Advisor prior to working at Tennyson Grange, and I specialised in advising clients on long term care funding. I used to have lots of contact with the home and I saw how the team here put each resident at the heart of their care. I saw the quality of the food, the activities, and the beautiful facilities, and I wanted to be a part of this wonderful home.

Moving my career to Tennyson Grange was the best decision. When I wake up every morning, I look forward to coming to work. I’ve been in the position of looking for care for older loved ones, so I know the uncertainty and concerns families have. When I support a new resident to move in, and I see the difference it makes to their lives, and those of their loved ones, I get a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction unlike anything else I’ve experienced in my career.

I decided I wanted to work in care when my nan became very ill. I cared for her until she passed away. That created the realisation in me that good care was so important, and something I was passionate about. I was determined to move my career into the care sector.

I started at Tennyson Grange as Receptionist and progressed into the Home Administrator role in just eight months. That’s what I love about working for Care UK – there are superb opportunities to progress if you work hard, do a good job and you’re passionate about care.

Every day is different in this role, so you need to be happy to think on your feet when you do this job! You also need to be caring, understanding and well organised. I particularly love the involvement I have with residents and their families. It’s hugely rewarding to be using my skills to make other people’s lives better.

I feel it’s so important when a person is living in a care home that they have plenty of choice of activities and experiences to keep them entertained and able to maintain their independence. I like the creativity and variety involved in organising activities that enable residents to keep their minds and bodies fit and active.

Every day’s different in this role, some days I’m a quiz master, other days an exercise instructor or games host, referee or karaoke singer. There are many other roles in between!

It’s a huge privilege to be in a position to get to know older people and their stories, and to make them happy. Seeing the positive difference that a particular activity can make to people is very humbling and motivating.

I’ve been working at Tennyson Grange since 2021. I had been working in an NHS hospital for over a decade and wanted to experience new challenges while staying in the care sector. I love how, in a care home, the residents become like your extended family because you get to know them so well and you become emotionally invested in their health and wellbeing. The best reward of this job is being able to make a positive difference to their lives.

We’re a strong and unified team here at Tennyson Grange, so I enjoy supporting the team in any way I can too. I love chatting to the residents about the meals and new dishes they’d like to try, or discussing with the team how I can better support in different areas. We work well together and strive to provide the highest level of care and service to residents.

I have been a team member here since its opening. I take great pride in ensuring that the home is a clean and safe environment for both residents and colleagues. My team and I enjoy getting to know the residents and making sure we're delivering the highest standard of cleanliness possible.

When you visit us at Tennyson Grange, I’ll probably be the first person you meet. I enjoy meeting and greeting visitors, signposting them to where they need to be, as well as supporting the team and residents in any way I can.

I think patience, understanding and the ability to multitask are all useful in this role. And it’s important to keep calm under pressure! There’s always plenty happening here, so the challenge is keeping track of it all.

The pandemic was probably the biggest challenge for all of us, but we shone as a team. I was the home’s Covid Coordinator and am proud of how we came through it stronger.