Our team at
Ventress Hall

I joined Ventress Hall because of its good reputation and CQC inspection report. I’m a qualified nurse for learning disability, and 10 years ago I had no experience of general care. With the support of the Home Manager and my colleagues, I have developed clinical skills to enable me to care for all aspects of residents’ needs.

In this role, it’s important to be confident, competent and knowledgeable. You also need to be flexible, empathetic and a good listener. I’m responsible for liaising with other professionals and supervising colleagues of all professions, and I ensure we all work in a person-centred way by identifying individual needs, as well as maintaining health and safety.

I love spending time with the residents here, listening to their life stories and experiences and helping them to live fulfilled lives. I’m proud knowing that they have received a high standard of care while we work together as a team.

Outside of work, I love European caravan holidays, reading, art, food and wine, travelling, cooking and spending time with my extended family.

I found this role through a family member who thought that my drama background would make me quite suited to an interactive role like this. Previously, I was working as a barmaid. As a Lifestyle Coordinator, you need to have qualities like enthusiasm, confidence, communication skills, empathy, patience, resourcefulness and humour – just to name a few!

Seeing how happy the residents are to see me, it makes my job worthwhile knowing I can make their day meaningful and engaging.

The highlight of my career so far was becoming a Dementia Care Coach. After my Nana had lived with dementia, I felt I needed to understand it more. Now, I pass my knowledge on to my colleagues and residents’ family members so they can have a better understanding of dementia. Seeing how far I’ve progressed and what I’ve learned along the way makes me so proud of what I’ve achieved.

I decided to join the team at Ventress Hall because I was looking for a new challenge. As Head Chef, it’s important to be hard-working and have good communication skills. You also need to be good at building your team and prepared to give 100% in your job.

There are many important aspects to my role, including organising rotas, ordering food, ensuring hygiene standards are met and managing a good team who are hard-working and enjoy their roles.

I love every part of my working day at Ventress Hall, cooking and preparing meals to the best of my ability for residents to enjoy. Getting good feedback from residents on how much they’ve enjoyed their meals makes me proud of what I do.

I have been a Registered General Nurse for 37 years and have achieved diplomas in diabetes care, end of life/palliative care, cardiac care, and facilitating learning in clinical practice. I also served for six years as a nurse in the Royal Air Force, caring for civilian and military personnel.

Before becoming the Clinical Lead at Ventress Hall, I was working as a Home Manager. I joined Care UK as I felt their values matched what I endeavour to provide to residents every day.

In this role, good communication, teamwork and approachability are important. I believe you also need to lead by example, impart high standards to colleagues and be prepared to undertake any role required. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and skills with colleagues and providing support to others.

The most important parts of my role are ensuring residents receive the appropriate level of care they need and wish for and supporting my team. I also enjoy spending time each day getting to know residents and families to enable bridges to be built to develop open communication.

Knowing the residents at Ventress Hall are cared for to the highest standards and my colleagues feel supported and appreciated makes me proud of what I do.

When I’m not at work, I love walking my three black labradors, reading, doing yoga, and camping.

I’m the Business Administrator and Head Housekeeper at Ventress Hall. I love how busy my role is and that I’m able to help colleagues, residents and their families every day.

As Head Housekeeper, my role is to ensure the home is kept clean and infection free. I worked my way up to this role from a Laundry Assistant, and I’ve found that it’s important to be friendly, helpful and caring, as well as calm, patient and able to work under pressure.

These characteristics also apply to my role as Business Administrator, where I ensure all tasks within the home are completed on time and accurately.

I’ve received my Level 2 Customer Service and Level 3 Administrator qualifications, and I was proud to have been awarded my region’s GEM award, and for being nominated for Housekeeping Team of the Year and Business Administrator of the Year.

Before joining Care UK, I was a manager in a betting shop. I was looking for a change in career, and I’d been told that Ventress Hall was a nice place to work.

In a receptionist role, you need to be happy, helpful, friendly and cheerful. I believe making sure people are happy is the most important part of my role. I love helping people within the home – I feel proud of what I do because I’m always helping people.

I’m currently undergoing my Level 2 qualification in Customer Service. Studying for this has been a highlight of my career.