Southdowns Nursing Home

Kerry is the Home Manager of Southdowns Nursing Home and Assistant Director for The Mulberry Community.

I dedicated my early adult life, to being a full-time mother to my 3 children. Once they reached a more independent age, I wanted to branch out and find my own independence and carve out my own career for the future.

I started work in children services as a Nursery Practitioner. I then changed direction and started working within the adult care sector - firstly domiciliary, then care home services.

In 2012, I started work at ‘Queen Mary’s Nursing Home ‘ which was to later become Mulberry House - Specialist Residential & Nursing Care. My first role was Senior Care Assistant. After about a year and a half of working night shifts, I changed to day shift, and this was when my progression really started.

It was quickly recognised that I naturally took a managerial lead in situations, and the support I received within the company was welcomed and valued.

I became the first Assistant Practitioner for the company, leading teams of staff and liaising more with external professionals.

I then took on the role of Unit Lead and completed my QCF level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care. This led to being appointed as the Deputy Manager of Mulberry House.

Working within the company for the last 11 years has not only allowed me to develop and grow my skill set, but it has also been the most rewarding 11 years of my career.

I am very excited to embark on the next stage of my journey as the Registered Manager of Southdowns Nursing Home and the Assistant Director of The Mulberry Community.

Born and bred on a farm in the historic village of Bodiam surrounded by outstanding countryside and a backdrop of the picturesque Bodiam Castle led to the start of my career in hospitality at the local Inn. I worked there on and off for many years in several roles: Barman, Bar Manager, & Chef.

1989 Travelled to Australia, spending a year there, seeing the sights and picking up temporary work to fund my travels. On my return, I undertook a City & Guilds cookery course at the local college.

Following a move out of the countryside to St Leonards on Sea, I briefly worked for The Co-Op, British Telecom Operator Services, and the CSA, always keeping a casual bar job on the side.

1996 saw the opening of a new Motor Insurance Company, in Bexhill, and I was there for the set-up, starting as a Telesales Operator, rising through the ranks to Team Leader, Supervisor, Deputy Customer Service Manager, New Claims & Business Services Supervisor. I achieved an ILM management diploma, as well as CII certification. After 14 years there I was made redundant, so started looking for a new venture.

2010 I bought a café/restaurant in Bexhill and spent the next 3 years working hard to make it a success before selling it in 2013.

I took a few months out to re-energize then started temping in administration at Mais House Poppy Home in Bexhill, eventually being appointed Head of Administration. I then took on the role of Business Manager for a family-run care group that had homes in Surrey and Sussex- One of them being Queen Mary’s and Mulberry House. The company built a new home and I helped in the Commissioning of the Home, staffing and recruitment and dealt with enquiries, setting up the Bistro for public use and anything else that needed to be done. The Home was then sold after a year and I remained at the Home as Business & Hospitality Manager and did so for 6 years until I became tired of the travelling. That’s when I was made aware of the opportunity at Southdowns, met with Tara & Kerry, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I look forward to helping the Southdowns Team move onward and upward.

Donna is the Administrator for Southdowns.

Jenny is the Administrator at Southdowns.