Rodina House

I started my career in care at Shandon when I was 16, back in 2000, working as a Care Assistant before becoming a Senior. I’ve grown up in these homes; they’ve been a huge part of my life from the very beginning, and they’ve always felt like home from home. In 2008, I moved into management at Rodina House, and a few years later returned to Shandon, where I managed from 2011 until 2024. One of the things I’m most proud of is leading the team through the COVID pandemic and keeping the home COVID-free for two years, protecting both residents and staff during such a difficult time.

I’ve always been passionate about getting the best out of people, especially those living with dementia. I love learning about people’s personal histories, understanding who they are, and helping staff make the kind of meaningful connections that bring real quality to someone’s day. I’ve always enjoyed improving the home environment and seeing staff grow in confidence and character.

As Lindsey Bree’s daughter, the values behind the company have always been part of who I am. Although I’ve stepped back from managing the services directly, I still play an active role as Director, supporting the management team day to day and being involved in the wider business decisions that shape our services.

As a Director and Co-owner of CEL Care Services, I bring over 20 years of dedicated experience to our family-run organisation. Working alongside my mother and sister to grow the company across three sites, my journey has allowed me to experience every facet of the industry—from maintenance to management.

For me, care is more than a profession; it is a lifestyle rooted in my upbringing. I operate under a simple but unwavering standard: "I would never expect a resident to stay somewhere that I wouldn't live myself." This commitment to quality ensures that every individual at CEL Care is treated with the same dignity and compassion as a member of my own family.

Care has been the heartbeat of my life since I started working in the industry at just 14 years old. After spending 11 formative years at Havelock House while putting myself through university, I achieved my goal of becoming a Registered Manager at Shandon House in 1999.

In 2001, my husband and I realised our dream of creating a family-run business where quality and compassion come first. Even after his passing in 2007 - the same year we welcomed Rodina House into our family - I have dedicated my life to carrying forward our shared mission.

Today, I am incredibly proud of the services we provide and the wonderful community we have built - from our dedicated staff and residents to the families and healthcare professionals who have shared this journey with us. As we look toward the future, I am excited to announce the opening of our independent living service this coming

Rodina House has always held a special place in my heart, as it’s where my career in care first began at 17. I started out as a kitchen assistant and, over time, worked my way up to Registered Manager. After six years of growth within the home and beyond, returning has felt like coming full circle.

My focus has been on strengthening quality, building a positive team culture, and ensuring truly person-centred care. It’s been really rewarding to work with Lindsey again — we share the same passion and values for delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

Alongside my role here, I also work independently as a Care Consultant, supporting other providers to achieve the same standards of quality and kindness that inspired me from the very start.

In 2016 I made the decision to leave the British Army after 15 years of service, to spend more time at home with my family as an opportunity for me to join the family business became available.

I bring with me a plethora of skills and experience from working in a demanding and high-pressure industry. I have since continued to push my personal development, gaining additional qualifications more suited to a care sector role.

It gives me a great sense of pride to be able to provide clients with a safe, well-maintained environment in which to relax and enjoy, helping to improve their quality of life. Direct interaction with residents provides immense satisfaction for me.

In my time away from work, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family, exploring and being outdoors and trying new hobbies. My main passion is hiking and climbing.

I joined the care team at Rodina House in 2014 at the age of 18; it was my first employment within the Care Sector. It didn’t take me long to realise just how special this industry was.

At the age of 26, I became a Senior carer at Shandon House. Shortly after taking this position, I submitted my application to become the assistant manager. I am currently in the process of applying for the role of registered manager. This will be a joint position whilst completing my NVQ level 5.

I thrive on making a positive impact on all residents’ lives and empowering my team to do the same. Meeting new people every day and being able to learn about their unique stories and interests is important to me. Finding ways to enhance their lives, whether that’s sharing memories or simply sitting down and listening, is a bonus to my role. I believe that every interaction makes a real difference.
I want to make a difference in all our resident’s lives, including their families, in decision-making to enhance their quality of life and enjoyment.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my three children, going on adventures and watching them grow. I find inspiration in their energy.

My name is Josephine, and I've worked in CEL Care services for 10 years. I love my job so much. We support older people with their daily lives, including dementia care.

CEL Care Services is one of the best Residential Care Services in Eastbourne, providing compassionate and person-centred care that helps our residents feel safe, respected and truly at home. CEL Care Services also takes care of the welfare of its staff, who, in return, feel supported to continue to look after the residents.