New leadership team takes the helm at new Cambridge care home

Home news

Jun 11, 2021

A new care home in Cambridge has announced the appointment of its senior team.

Care UK has appointed Sharlene Van Tonder as Home Manager to lead the team at Heathlands House when it opens in Summer 2021, and Tanya Jackson-Turner will join the team as Customer Relations Manager.

A nurse by profession, Sharlene emigrated to England from South Africa in 1996, and began working for Care UK in 1997, at the care home originally built on the site of Heathlands House. Sharlene quickly progressed to unit manager, then deputy manager, before becoming a care home manager in just four years.

Sharlene then worked for another care provider, where she gained more experience and confidence as a manager, before returning to Care UK in 2014. She has managed a number of homes in East Anglia which have achieved ‘Outstanding’ ratings from the CQC under her leadership, including one home that achieved the impressive rating in all five areas.

Sharlene’s new position will see her return to her roots, leading the team at Heathlands House, which will care for up to 64 older people. 

Commenting on her new position, Sharlene said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the home manager for Heathlands House. It feels incredibly special to be returning as manager to the same site that I began my career with Care UK – it truly feels like coming home.

“As a home manager, I am given the privilege of being at the head of an extraordinary extended family, which includes residents, their relatives and our fantastic team members. With such honour comes huge responsibility, and I believe in a transparent, honest and open approach to managing. It’s important to know when to lead from the front, push from the back, and walk to the side, and I look forward to creating a real home for residents and team members alike.

“Heathlands House will be a home with heart, a warm hug, and filled with laughter, and I can’t wait to welcome the first residents when we open the doors later this year.”

Tanya Jackson-Turner will be joining the team as Customer Relations Manager to support those seeking care for their loved one every step of the way, while ensuring residents continue to lead fulfilling lives. 

Tanya has a wealth of experience in customer-facing roles, working in logistics, healthcare and banking organisations before her career in the care sector.

Phillip Steyn, Regional Director at Care UK, commented on the appointments: “The arrival of Heathlands House marks an important investment for Care UK, and we’re thrilled to have Sharlene and Tanya on board. Every detail has been considered to provide the highest standards of care, but having the right people working in the home is key to the overall experience of residents.

“Sharlene’s experience and achievements with Care UK speak volumes, and she has an impressive track record in her career to date. Tanya is a fantastic new addition to the Care UK family, and with her strong customer relation skills, I know she will play an important part in ensuring Heathlands House builds a reputation for quality, person-centred care.”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the new care home, which is set to open this Summer, will incorporate space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the building will be configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge and dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.

To find out more, please call Customer Relations Manager, Tanya Jackson-Turner, on 01223 631945 or email tanya.jackson-turner@careuk.com

For general information about Heathlands House, please visit careuk.com/heathlands-house