Ardtully Retirement Residence

Merjury is a dedicated and experienced care home manager with a passion for providing the best quality care. With 16 years of experience in the care industry, Merjury has developed a deep understanding of the needs and preferences of residents.

Having been with the company for 2 years, Merjury started as a senior and quickly progressed to the role of team manager. With the support of an exceptional team, Merjury then became the deputy manager and is now proudly serving as the home manager of Ardtully care home.

For Merjury, Ardtully is not just a workplace, but a home. The residents have become an extended family, and the care home is a warm and welcoming environment where everyone feels like they belong. Merjury firmly believes in the concept of "home to home" - where residents are embraced as part of the family.

Merjury's goal is to ensure that every resident receives the highest quality of care and feels happy and content in their home. Alongside this, Merjury also prioritizes the well-being of the staff, creating a positive and supportive work environment.

Merjury's favourite motto is "Let your smile change the world but don't let the world change your smile." This reflects Merjury's positive and optimistic outlook on life and the belief that a simple smile can make a significant difference in the lives of others.

Mercy Kanduru brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector to her role as Team Leader at Ardtully. Her passion for care was sparked by a genuine desire to spread happiness and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Mercy finds working in care immensely rewarding, as it offers a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of residents through compassion, dedication, and meaningful connections.

A proud wife and mother of two wonderful children, a son and a daughter, Mercy is known for her hardworking and enthusiastic nature. She is caring, responsible, and thrives under pressure, always ensuring high standards are met while maintaining a warm and supportive approach.

Originally from Lancashire, Alison moved to London to work as an advertising photographic model with a London agency before starting a family. While raising her two daughters, she also cared for her mother and worked as a teaching assistant—roles that nurtured her compassion and dedication to helping others.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alison transitioned into the care sector, taking on the role of Lifestyle Lead Coordinator for two years. She later moved into administration, where her warm personality and organisational skills truly shine.

Alison loves that no two days in care are the same. She finds real joy in meeting residents, getting to know them personally, and hearing the incredible stories they have to share.

Heidi has been a dedicated member of the Ardtully team for 21 years. Her hardworking, caring nature and friendly personality make her a cherished part of the home. Always smiling and chatting with residents, Heidi brings warmth and positivity to everyone around her.

Her passion for cooking shines through in every delicious, thoughtfully prepared meal she creates. Her dishes are not only mouth-watering but also made with genuine love and care. We are truly fortunate to have such a talented and devoted cook on our team.

Outside the kitchen, Heidi enjoys watching football and has a deep love for animals. She shares her home with two beloved dogs and enjoys decorating her house in her spare time.

Alison Innocent joined Ardtully as our Lifestyle Manager two years ago, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for supporting others. Prior to this role, Alison dedicated 18 years as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant at a local school in Chadwell Heath, Brentwood, where she made a lasting impact on the lives of children and their families.

Now at Ardtully, Alison brings the same warmth, energy, and dedication to enriching the daily lives of our residents. Her focus is on creating engaging, meaningful activities that promote wellbeing, joy, and a sense of community.

Alison lives locally in Hutton with her husband and two wonderful children. A devoted wife and mother, her family means everything to her, and she brings that same sense of care and connection into her work every day.

Dave has had varied careers, one of which was a London taxi driver for 16 years, gaining many skills along the way. He has been Head facilitator at Ardtully for a year and uses his many talents in all different departments in the home: garden, housekeeping, catering, ordering supplies etc. dealing with many of the unseen jobs that keep Ardtully running so smoothly every day. Dave is wonderful and kind to all the residents, and they all enjoy his company. Dave lives locally and is a family man with two children. He is very active and goes to the gym, loves sports and plays golf.

Douglas joined Premium Care Group in 2023, bringing with him a wealth of experience in maintenance. He has a broad range of practical skills, with particular strengths in electrical work. Proficient in the use of both hand and power tools, Douglas is skilled at identifying root causes of issues and implementing effective, lasting solutions.

Beyond his technical abilities, Douglas is known for his caring and positive nature. He is a devoted family man, responsible, spiritual, and prayerful. His passion for his work, combined with his joyful and uplifting presence, makes him a valued and respected member of the team. In his free time, he enjoys watching football and spending time with his loved ones.

Fiona has over 30 years of experience working within the healthcare sector and is a Registered Nurse, remaining active on the NMC register. Her management career started as a charge nurse and then as a ward manager within the NHS, working in wards specialising in care for older adults enduring mental health conditions and dementia.

For the last 15 years, Fiona has worked in the Care Home Sector, taking on various Management roles, including Registered Manager, Regional Support Manager, Clinical and Quality Manager, Compliance Consultant and Operations Manager.

Remaining very hands-on clinically, she is passionate about supporting our management teams to deliver exceptional person-centred care, ensuring all individuals can maintain their independence and enjoy the excellent quality of life our care homes offer.

Louise is the Operations Manager at Premium Care Group Ltd, bringing over 20 years of experience in health and social care. Her career began as a domiciliary carer while raising her young children, originally seeking flexible work, she quickly discovered a deep passion for making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Since then, she has never looked back.

Throughout her career, Louise has held a variety of roles across the sector, each building on the last and shaping her strong understanding of what good care truly looks like. Her journey has led her to her current role, where she oversees multiple care homes, supports managers, and ensures the highest standards of quality, compliance, and person-centred care.

Louise is passionate about fostering environments where both residents and staff feel genuinely supported. She leads with integrity, remains hands-on when needed, and is deeply committed to staying connected to the people behind the work. Supporting others to succeed and feel valued is at the heart of everything she does.

She is proud to be part of Premium Care Group, working alongside an exceptional team that shares a common goal: delivering an outstanding experience for both residents and staff.

As Customer Liaison Manager, I support families in one of the most important decisions they’ll ever make, finding the right home for their loved ones. I guide and support each care enquiry with compassion and professionalism, ensuring every family feels heard, informed, and confident in their choices.

In addition to my work with families, I also oversee our marketing and advertising, helping to showcase the heart of our homes and the care we provide. I’m a people person at heart, and I’m proud to be part of a business that shares my core belief: life does not end with a dementia diagnosis. Our homes are places to continue living with dignity, joy, and purpose.

Dedicated and deeply passionate, I’m here to help, no question is ever too much.

In July 2025, I was honoured to become the Group Lifestyle Manager for Premium Care Group, where I oversee and develop lifestyle programmes across all our care homes to enhance residents’ wellbeing and quality of life.

Before this, I was Care Manager at Weald Hall, having started my career there as a care assistant. I quickly built strong relationships with residents and the care team. My passion has always been to make a genuine difference, caring for every resident as if they were part of my own family.

At Premium Care Group, we are committed to providing excellent, individualised care that promotes independence and enables residents to live their lives to the fullest. I look forward to continuing to create welcoming, engaging environments where family, friends, and our residents feel at home.

With 28 years of experience in the care sector, Kate has held a wide range of roles, from domiciliary care to Deputy Care Manager. Most recently, she served as an Administrator, bringing extensive knowledge, dedication, and vital support to her team. Her deep-rooted passion for elderly care shines through in everything she does, and she thrives at the heart of the home, staying closely connected with both staff and residents.

Kate has a particular passion for community engagement. She loves meeting new people, building meaningful relationships, and making a genuine difference in the lives of others. She takes great pride in supporting other homes across the Premium Care Group and is always willing to contribute wherever she can.

Now serving as the Group Community Engagement Manager for Premium Care Group, a role she is immensely proud of, Kate continues to champion connection, compassion, and community across the organisation.

Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time with her horses and her beloved dog, Selly. A devoted family person, she cherishes quality time outdoors with her two children, Josh and Daisy, and her loved ones.

Daisy is an 11-year-old community champion who has been visiting The Anchorage care home since she was a toddler. A few years ago, she created Through the Eyes of a Child, a heartfelt initiative designed to capture children’s honest reflections on their experiences of visiting the care home, helping staff and residents see the environment through a child’s perspective.

What began as a simple idea has grown into a meaningful programme that fosters intergenerational connections. Daisy encourages children from local schools to visit the home, building friendships with residents and taking part in activities, events, and outings. She has also developed feedback forms to ensure children’s voices are heard and valued.

Over the past year, Daisy’s compassion and dedication have been widely recognised. She has received a Champions of Care Special Recognition Award from Person Centred Software, the Community Cup from her school for her empathy and service, and the Saxon Weald Local Community Youth Winner Award for her outstanding contribution to the care home and wider community. She is also due to join the PDCCA Volunteer Friends Scheme in the New Year.

Now beginning to share Through the Eyes of a Child with other care homes across the group, Daisy continues to lead with kindness, empathy, and maturity beyond her years, proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful difference.