Abney Court

I am passionate about enabling residents to live dignified, independent lives and giving them every opportunity to have fun and enjoy each day. Being able to make a difference in the daily lives of residents is one of the best parts of this job. 

I’ve worked for Care UK since 2011. Before that I was a Staff Nurse at Tameside General Hospital working on the wards. I really wanted to be part of Care UK because of its commitment to delivering award-winning quality care. I think its understanding of care and of the care sector is second to none. They offer great training and development for colleagues and genuinely care about residents.

Here at Abney Court care home there’s a fantastic team spirit. Colleagues work really well together because we have one goal – the wellbeing of residents. Each person loves helping people and making a difference to their day, whether it’s small or large. We’re also really committed to Abney Court itself and its success. What I love is that no two days are the same. Mine is an incredibly rewarding job, very sociable and you’re always learning.

From leaving college I worked in travel, which I loved, (I still like to travel) and I later changed direction and worked as an area manager for a blinds company.  In all my roles customer service and service delivery has been at the forefront of everything I do.

To do this role well you need to have a warm personality, and be confident, organised and a supremo plate spinner!  Moving a loved one into a care home is a very emotional experience for families so empathy is a must – as is a keenness to make everything as stress-free as possible. I love seeing family members finally relaxing and being able to breathe again. Thats when I know they have total trust in us. 

Its been amazing to have been at Abney Court from the beginning, and seeing how it has developed. Our team has worked together brilliantly to build the reputation of the home, so that its now recognised as one of the best care homes in the Stockport area.

My first experience of Abney Court was as an agency chef, so I was here as a temporary member of staff. But I loved the experience – I’d been a chef in the hospitality industry and had never worked in a care home before. I then decided to pursue care catering as a career. 

While the move from hospitality to care brought its challenges, it also brought many more rewards. You need patience and empathy and a desire to understand each resident’s dietary needs and tastes. I love going out into the suites to see the residents and have a chat. I try to make their day that little bit more special.

Care UK is a leader in care sector catering, with its ‘dining with dignity’ approach. This is all about bringing a personalised restaurant-style dining experience to residents, whatever their dietary needs. 

I joined the Abney Court team in 2021. I’d heard great things about Abney Court and Care UK, and it was all true! 

My background is in nursery nursing, but, whatever age group I work with, I always aim to take a ‘can do’ approach, supporting people, whatever their abilities, to enjoy a variety of activities to boost their confidence and self-esteem. 

I enjoy spending quality time with residents, supporting them to express their creativity and making them smile. Some recent activities have ranged from planting bulbs in planters ready for spring, to enjoying parties, doing baking and having fun in impromptu music sessions.

It’s wonderful to work in such luxurious surroundings – we make the most of the grounds and facilities. I’m looking forward to continuing to expand the lifestyle programme and to supporting the residents to get out and about more.

I joined Care UK and Abney Court in 2019 because I wanted to challenge myself and work for an organisation with high standards and expectations of care. Before I joined the Abney Court team I was the Deputy Manager of a care home providing residential dementia care, however, gaining my current role has definitely been my career highlight.

I’m the Unit Manager of Abney Court’s dementia suite and I have to say that my favourite part of any day is the time I spend interacting with residents, seeing them smile and listening to their stories. The secret to success in this role, and what brings such satisfaction to me, is building lasting relationships – with residents and their families and with my colleagues at Abney Court.

Away from work I love to unwind by growing fruit and veg on my allotment. I’m also a keen cook and enjoy a bit of knitting too!

I started out as a care assistant working in domiciliary care and in another care home. I joined the Abney Court team in 2018 because Care UK had a great reputation for delivering great care and for enabling its colleagues to develop their skills and career.

As a Suite Lead I aim to lead the team by example, supporting and encouraging them and showing them the best practice way of doing things. Good leadership and communication skills are important. But, above all, what we do is about always putting the needs of the residents first.

One of the best parts of my role is engaging with the residents and their families. It’s a great feeling to know you’re making a difference to someone, and seeing them living a rewarding life is wonderful. Abney Court is a wonderful care home, with lovely grounds and fantastic facilities, so, whatever a resident wants to do, they can do it here.

I joined Care UK and Abney Court in 2016 – I’d initially seen the home’s website and was surprised at how fantastic it looked. I knew I’d be happy working here and I am – I work with some lovely people.

Before I joined the Abney Court team I spent four years working in another care home company, first as an administrator, then as PA in the operations team. It was there that I got a good understanding of how a care home operates and where I developed a passion for working in care – it’s hugely rewarding.

Much of my spare time is taken up with family genealogy. Over the last twenty years I’ve gone back hundreds of years in my family tree. I can prove that I’m related to King Edward I (but probably a lot of people can!). I’m also related to the Davenports of Bramall Hall, and, through them, to an American ex-president. And that’s all on my mother’s side. I’m tackling my dad’s side next!

I’ve been at Abney Court since 2016, and I was proud to be promoted to head housekeeper after less than a year here. Care UK’s ethics and values are very similar to my own, so I felt at home instantly here. 

I love that no two days are ever the same at Abney Court – there’s always a fresh challenge or something happening in the home. I love engaging with residents and their families, as well as my own colleagues and I’m passionate about ensuring that residents’ needs are met to the best of my – and my team’s – ability. 

Here at Abney Court, the housekeeping team is very much a part of the larger home team. The home team is very closely-knit. We all get involved in the different events that the home puts on. In fact, my team performed a show as part of our summer fayre. I had a solo, which was completely out of my comfort zone!

My background is in school maintenance and I have 15 years’ experience in building maintenance and health and safety. Over the years I’ve amassed a wide range of building- and H&S-related certificates and qualifications!

I was new to the care sector when I joined the Abney Court team in 2021, but I really enjoy the sense of fulfilment it provides. It’s very satisfying to do a job where you’re keeping vulnerable people safe, and making their surroundings as pleasant as possible. Knowing that residents rely on me certainly spurs me on each day.

There are some truly inspirational residents here at Abney Court and I love learning more about their lives. I actually wanted to be a social worker when I left school, but working here and using my maintenance skills to enhance residents’ lives is close enough for me.

Hi everyone, I’m Milo, and I’m likely to be the first member of the team you meet when you visit us at Abney Court. I like to chill out just inside the home’s entrance and greet everyone who arrives.

Every day’s busy for me at Abney Court. I take charge of showing prospective new residents and their families around the home, and I’ll escort visitors to their loved one’s room. I help new residents to settle in and take part in activities. My specialism is spending one-to-one time with residents. We go on walks, do family Zoom calls, have cuddles, and I make sure they’re eating well (I can help with biscuits).

After all that hard work, I like to unwind with a little snooze in my bed. I also like to carry my enormous duck toy around and show it to everyone. I love it!