Kingfishers Care Home

My career in health and social care began in 2010 when I chose to study Sociology and Social Work. I’ve always been passionate about understanding society's evolving needs and combining social services with research to address future challenges. This passion led me to pursue a Master's degree in Intelligence Analysis, which became a crucial foundation for my current role, helping me better understand societal vulnerabilities and assess the quality of care services.

Over the past 10+ years, I’ve gained extensive experience in balancing compassionate, person-centred care with strong leadership and clinical understanding. Working in both nursing homes and residential care settings, I realised how vital clinical knowledge is for truly meeting residents’ needs and delivering outstanding care. After qualifying as a nurse, I explored the hospital environment and contributed to meaningful healthcare projects across the UK. These included placements at Mount Vernon Hospital, Hillingdon Hospital, and Harefield Hospital, where I conducted my dissertation research in cardiology and the transplant sector.

My combined experience in both the public and private sectors has allowed me to build valuable partnerships between private care providers and NHS services across various boroughs.

Today, I am honoured to serve as Home Manager at Kingfishers. I am dedicated to leading our home toward achieving an Outstanding rating by adhering to CQC regulations, complying with all relevant legislation, and following our nursing home policies with the best interests of residents and their families in mind.

I am particularly passionate about dementia care and supporting complex nursing needs within adult care. Every day presents new challenges that inspire me and my team to strive for excellence. With over a decade of commitment to care, I believe Kingfishers is not just a care home, it’s a place to live well, make lasting memories, and spend the later years of life surrounded by compassion, dignity, and love, while receiving the highest quality of care.

Beata’s career in health and social care began in 1990 when she chose to study Nursing. From an early stage, she has been passionate about understanding people’s needs, showing empathy, and providing meaningful support. This passion led her to pursue both a bachelor's and a master's degree in nursing in 2013. She also qualified in multiple specialisms, including occupational therapy support, vaccinations, paediatric nursing, and surgical assistance.

Beata has worked in a variety of roles across hospitals and GP surgeries, which provided a strong foundation for her current position. These experiences have helped her develop a deep understanding of societal vulnerabilities and the importance of delivering high-quality care services.

She later moved to England to further develop her skills and to learn from some of the highest standards of care delivery, particularly within nursing home settings.

Over the past 30+ years, Beata has gained extensive experience in balancing compassionate, person-centred care with strong leadership and clinical expertise. Working across both nursing homes and residential care settings has reinforced her belief that strong clinical knowledge is essential to truly meet residents’ needs and deliver outstanding care.

Her combined experience in both the public and private sectors has enabled her to build strong partnerships between private care providers and NHS services across various boroughs. She has successfully supported teams in achieving “Outstanding” ratings during CQC inspections, as well as building strong, sustainable teams that continue to deliver high-quality care across multiple homes.

Today, Beata is honoured to serve as Clinical Lead Nurse at Kingfishers. She is committed to supporting the home in achieving an Outstanding rating by adhering to CQC regulations, complying with all relevant legislation, and ensuring that all practices reflect the best interests of residents and their families.

She is particularly passionate about the impact of lifestyle changes across different stages of life and how these can affect brain health, including the development of dementia. This drives her strong interest in dementia care, alongside supporting individuals with complex nursing needs. Every day brings new challenges that inspire both her and her team to strive for excellence. With over three decades of dedication to care, Beata believes Kingfishers is not just a care home, it is a place where people can live well, create meaningful memories, and spend their later years surrounded by compassion, dignity, and respect, while receiving the highest standard of care.

Wendi Akerman is our administrator at Kingfishers. She is also a friendly and welcoming person who greets visitors as they come through the door.

Wendi has worked in the care sector since leaving school, with over 25 years of experience in elderly care. During this time, she worked both day and night shifts and progressed to a senior role. After her children left school, she transitioned to a position as an administrator at Laura Ashley. However, she missed working in care and supporting elderly individuals, which led her back to the nursing home environment as an administrator.

She holds a BTEC Advanced Diploma in Business Administration and IT. Wendi also completes all relevant care training on an annual basis to ensure her knowledge remains up to date and that she continues to support the highest standard of care for residents.

In her role as administrator, Wendi supports the manager and the wider team, helping to ensure that the home runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

With over a decade of hands-on experience in Care Homes, I have been proudly serving as a Maintenance Operative since June 2013. Throughout my career, I have developed a deep commitment to creating and maintaining safe, functional, and welcoming environments where residents, staff, and visitors feel comfortable and cared for.

My role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, from carrying out routine maintenance and minor repairs, including plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, painting, decorating, and garden upkeep, to conducting regular inspections that help identify and address potential issues before they escalate. Whether it's a leaking tap or a faulty light fitting, I respond promptly and effectively to ensure minimal disruption to daily life within the home.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is being a reliable point of contact during emergencies, such as power outages or equipment failures. I take pride in remaining calm under pressure and acting swiftly to protect the safety and well-being of everyone in the facility. I also coordinate with external contractors when specialist expertise is needed, always ensuring that work is completed to high standards and in line with health and safety regulations.

In addition to my maintenance duties, I also hold the position of Head of Housekeeping, leading a dedicated domestic team. Together, we ensure that every corner of the home, from communal areas to individual resident rooms, is maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness and presentation. We approach our work with sensitivity and respect, always mindful of the residents' privacy, dignity, and personal preferences.

My experience has taught me the value of teamwork, responsibility, and attention to detail, and I remain committed to upholding the quality of care and environment that every resident deserves. I bring not just skills, but dedication and heart to my work, always striving to contribute positively to the day-to-day life and comfort of those in my care.

Julia is a passionate and dedicated Activities Coordinator with over 10 years of experience in healthcare, committed to enhancing the well-being and quality of life of those she supports. Her role is centred on creating meaningful, person-centred experiences that bring joy, purpose, and connection into daily life. She delivers a wide range of engaging activities within the home, organises trips into the community, and creates special “magic moments” tailored to each individual’s personal interests, memories, and wishes.

She believes that every person deserves to feel valued, heard, and included. As a Dignity Champion, Julia actively promotes respect, choice, and independence in all aspects of care, ensuring that every individual is treated with compassion and dignity at all times. She takes a holistic approach to her work, carefully planning, implementing, and reviewing social, physical, and spiritual activities that support not only residents’ health, but also their emotional and psychological well-being.

In addition to her coordination role, Julia manages and contributes to the home’s social media presence, sharing positive moments, achievements, and daily life within the home. This helps to keep families connected, celebrate residents’ experiences, and showcase the warm, supportive environment she helps to create.

Throughout her career, she has developed a strong foundation of knowledge and skills through both hands-on experience and continuous professional development. She has completed specialised training in dementia care, end-of-life and palliative care, learning disabilities, and managing behaviours that may challenge. She has also been involved in autism care research and undertaken further training in cognitive impairment, enabling her to provide thoughtful, informed, and person-centred support across a diverse range of needs.

Julia’s work is driven by empathy, creativity, and a genuine passion for making a difference. Whether organising group activities, supporting one-to-one engagement, or creating small but meaningful moments that brighten someone’s day, she is dedicated to ensuring that each individual feels respected, understood, and truly cared for.

Alongside her professional role, Julia is currently studying Operating Department Practice at university, specialising in anaesthetics. This reflects her ambition to continue growing within the healthcare field and expand her skills within the surgical environment. Her academic journey complements her practical experience, strengthening her clinical knowledge while reinforcing her commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

She takes great pride in her work and remains committed to continuous learning, development, and excellence. Above all, she is driven by the belief that even the smallest moments can have the greatest impact, and she strives every day to create positive, meaningful experiences that truly enrich the lives of others.

My journey in care began as a Care Assistant, where I quickly learned that meaningful connection is often found in the small, everyday moments, a kind word, a gentle gesture, or simply being present and listening. These early experiences laid the foundation for my deep commitment to person-centred care.

In my current role as a Lifestyle Coordinator, I continue to support residents through thoughtful engagement and compassionate interaction. Whether it's through conversation, companionship, or shared laughter, my goal is always to create a sense of comfort, dignity, and belonging.

To me, this work goes beyond daily support; it's about enriching lives, celebrating individuality, and promoting a strong sense of community. I take pride in contributing to an environment where residents feel seen, valued, and truly at home.

Becoming the Lifestyle Coordinator at Kingfishers Nursing Home has been the highlight of my career so far. It’s a role that allows me to be creative, compassionate, and impactful, all within a supportive and dedicated team environment.

I take pride in designing and delivering a varied and person-centred activity programme that respects the unique interests and needs of each resident, always aiming to promote well-being, independence, and dignity.

Every day is a new opportunity to make a difference, and that’s what I love most about what I do.

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.

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.