Ardtully Retirement Residence

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.

Andrew is a valued addition to the catering team at Ardtully, bringing a clear enhancement to the menu with fresh, nutritious meals that residents eagerly look forward to each day.

The presentation of his dishes is consistently of the highest standard.

He demonstrates remarkable patience and kindness toward all residents, taking the time to listen carefully to their preferences while maintaining a positive attitude at all times.

Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife, three children and dog. He loves playing badminton, trips to the cinema and trying new recipes.

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.

Not only is Victor an efficient and skilled maintenance person, but he also brings warmth into the home.

He always has a lovely smile and a kind word for residents, and he is passionate about caring for them.

Victor takes the time to stop and chat with residents, even on his busiest days.

His hobbies include gaming and reading to relax, as well as jogging and swimming to keep himself strong and healthy.

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.

With over 30 years of experience in the care sector, Kate has built an extensive and varied career, holding roles ranging from domiciliary care to Deputy Care Manager. She also spent many years as an Administrator, where her wealth of knowledge, dedication, and unwavering support made her an invaluable member of the team.

Kate's passion for elderly care is at the heart of everything she does. She thrives in the centre of the home, maintaining close relationships with both residents and colleagues and ensuring that compassion and quality remain at the forefront of every interaction.

A strong advocate for community engagement, Kate is passionate about meeting new people, building meaningful relationships, and making a genuine difference in the lives of others. She takes great pride in supporting homes across Premium Care Group, always happy to share her expertise and contribute wherever she is needed.

Most recently, Kate served as Group Community Engagement Manager for Premium Care Group, a role she was immensely proud to hold. In July 2026, she was promoted to Head of Marketing, where she continues to champion connection, compassion, and innovation across the organisation. Kate is excited to build on this new chapter, driving the company's marketing strategy while continuing to make a positive impact for residents, families, colleagues, and the wider community.

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 enjoys making lasting memories with her family and loved ones.

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.

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.