Brynfield Manor Nursing & Residential Care Home

At the heart of Brynfield Manor stands an extraordinary leader whose presence defines excellence in care: Mandy Russ, Registered Manager and the driving force behind one of the most respected nursing homes in the region.

Mandy is, quite simply, the finest embodiment of what a Registered Manager should be. Her compassion for residents is not performative; it is instinctive, unwavering, and deeply personal. Every decision she makes is guided by one principle: that each resident deserves dignity, warmth, and the very highest standard of care. Residents adore her not only for her kindness, but for the sense of safety and belonging she creates. To them, Mandy is not just a manager; she is a constant, trusted presence who knows their stories, their needs, and their individuality.

A nationally admired Dementia Champion, Mandy’s knowledge of dementia care is both profound and practical. There is very little about dementia she does not understand, and even less she does not translate into action. Her passion for dementia care is infectious; she inspires her team to see beyond diagnosis and to truly understand the person behind it. Under her leadership, dementia care at Brynfield Manor is not merely compliant with best practice; it sets the benchmark for what outstanding, person-centred care should look like.

With a wealth of experience in the care industry and a career defined by continuous professional development, Mandy has undertaken virtually every form of training available in modern care practice. Since 2012, she has served in the Registered Manager role with unwavering dedication, building a culture of excellence that is recognised and respected by visiting professionals, healthcare partners, and regulatory authorities alike. Her standing with the local authority and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) is exemplary—she commands the highest possible level of trust through her integrity, transparency, and meticulous standards.

What truly distinguishes Mandy is her leadership style. She is impeccable in the way she drives her team to deliver exceptional care not through fear or hierarchy, but through inspiration, clarity, and absolute professionalism. Staff respect her deeply and adore her sincerely. She sets the bar high and supports her team to reach it, fostering an environment where excellence is expected, achieved, and celebrated. Her team do not merely work for her; they believe in her vision.

A Registered Manager of a nursing home should be a guardian of standards, a champion of residents, and a mentor to staff. Mandy Russ is all of these and more. She represents the gold standard of modern care leadership: compassionate yet exacting, knowledgeable yet humble, authoritative yet profoundly human. Her influence can be felt in every corridor of Brynfield Manor, in every care plan, and in every smile of reassurance shared with a resident or family member.

If Brynfield Manor is recognised as a place of outstanding care, it is because Mandy Russ has shaped it that way. Her legacy is not just in policies or procedures, but in lives enriched, families reassured, and a team empowered to deliver care at its very best.

In the language of a top care home magazine, Mandy Russ is not simply a Registered Manager
She is the beating heart of excellence in care.

Sarah Downer – Deputy Manager (RMN Nurse)
Sarah Downer is our highly respected Deputy Manager and a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), whose professionalism, dedication, and exceptional clinical and organisational skills make her an invaluable member of our leadership team.

With extensive nursing experience and an outstanding commitment to best practice, Sarah plays a central role in ensuring that our residents receive the highest standard of safe, compassionate, and person-centred care. Her knowledge of clinical governance, care planning, and regulatory compliance is second to none, and she is widely recognised by colleagues for her reliability, precision, and calm leadership.

Sarah’s expertise in documentation and care records is exceptional. She is meticulous in keeping all service user files fully up to date, accurate, and compliant with CQC standards. She is currently leading the transition of all nursing client records onto our new person-centred digital care planning system, ensuring that every resident’s care plan reflects their individual needs, wishes, and clinical requirements. Her work on this project has been instrumental in preparing the home for the system going live in the coming weeks.

Highly qualified and continuously developing her skills, Sarah has completed extensive professional training, including (but not limited to):

- Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) qualification
- Safeguarding Adults & Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Medication Management & Administration
- Clinical Risk Assessment
- Care Planning and Person-Centred Care
- Health & Safety and Fire Safety
- Dementia Awareness and Mental Health Care
- Moving & Handling
- First Aid and Emergency Response
- Leadership and Management Training
- Equality, Diversity & Human Rights
- Data Protection and Confidentiality
- End-of-Life and Palliative Care principles

Sarah is deeply committed to supporting both residents and staff. She is known for being approachable, supportive, and consistently willing to go above and beyond to help her colleagues. She works closely alongside Mandy and Russ, providing strong leadership and dependable support to the management team, and plays a key role in mentoring staff, promoting high standards, and fostering a positive and professional working environment.

Her dedication to the home is unwavering. Sarah takes enormous pride in her role and demonstrates genuine compassion for every resident she supports. Her attention to detail, clinical expertise, and ability to balance leadership with kindness make her an exceptional Deputy Manager and an outstanding nurse.

Sarah is highly respected by her colleagues and trusted by residents and families alike. Her commitment to excellence, professionalism, and continuous improvement ensures that our home delivers care that is safe, dignified, and truly person-centred.

We are extremely proud to have Sarah as our Deputy Manager and as a cornerstone of our care team.

Susan Nicholas, RGN, is the clinical cornerstone of our nursing home and a professional whose expertise and dedication set an exceptional benchmark for excellence in care. With a long and distinguished nursing career and an extensive period of professional registration, Susan brings a depth of clinical knowledge and practical skill that is truly second to none.

As Clinical Lead, Susan provides strategic and hands-on leadership across all aspects of clinical practice. She is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of nursing care, governance, and compliance, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and compassionate, person-centred care. Her role encompasses clinical oversight, mentoring and developing nursing staff, quality assurance, risk management, and the implementation of best practice in line with current evidence and regulatory standards.

Susan’s clinical skills are outstanding. She is widely respected for her calm, assured approach to complex clinical situations and her ability to make sound, timely decisions that always place residents’ well-being at the forefront. From advanced care planning and medication management to wound care, dementia support, and end-of-life care, Susan’s expertise ensures that every resident receives safe, effective, and dignified care tailored to their individual needs.
Having been part of the organisation for many years, Susan knows her residents exceptionally well. This continuity of leadership allows her to build meaningful relationships not only with residents but also with families, creating trust, reassurance, and open communication. Her commitment to truly understanding each person’s history, preferences, and values underpins a model of care that is deeply personal and consistently compassionate.

Among her colleagues, Susan commands immense respect. She is recognised as both a clinical authority and a supportive mentor, someone who leads by example, inspires confidence, and nurtures professional growth within the nursing and care teams. Her presence creates a strong, stable clinical environment where staff feel guided, valued, and motivated to deliver the very best standards of care.

Susan’s approach to person-centred care is exemplary. She ensures that every care plan reflects the individuality of the resident, promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life at every stage. Her philosophy is clear: outstanding clinical practice must always go hand in hand with kindness, empathy, and human connection.

In every sense, Susan Nicholas represents the gold standard of clinical leadership in a nursing home setting. Her professionalism, experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to our service and a trusted figure for residents, families, and staff alike. She embodies the very best of modern nursing leadership where clinical excellence meets heartfelt care.

Kevin Gray, RMN – Night Manager Extraordinaire at Brynfield Manor
When the lights dim at Brynfield Manor Care Home, Kevin Gray steps into his role with unwavering dedication, ensuring that every aspect of night-time care operates seamlessly. A registered mental health nurse (RMN), Kevin exemplifies the perfect blend of clinical expertise, leadership, and person-centred compassion, making him a cornerstone of Brynfield Manor’s night team.

Kevin is responsible for overseeing all nighttime operations, from clinical monitoring and medication administration to managing emergencies and supporting residents with complex needs. His commitment to maintaining the highest standards means every shift runs like clockwork, fully aligned with the vision and exacting expectations of Mandy Russ.
Highly respected by colleagues, Kevin ensures that all care plans are rigorously implemented, staff are fully supported, and training requirements are met. He brings to the night team comprehensive expertise, including safeguarding, dementia care, infection control, and person-centred practices, combined with advanced competencies in risk assessment and emergency response.

But it’s not just Kevin’s professional credentials that set him apart; it’s his humanity. Residents know him as a calm, reassuring presence who treats everyone with respect and warmth, while his leadership inspires confidence and pride throughout the team. Kevin’s meticulous attention to detail, unwavering dedication, and second-to-none approach to care make him an exemplar of what a modern nursing home night manager should be.

In short, at Brynfield Manor, the night belongs to Kevin Gray and thanks to him, it’s in the very best hands.

Spotlight on Excellence: Miss Ayesha Gaynor, RGN
Freshly qualified yet already making waves, Miss Ayesha Gaynor, RGN, is the embodiment of dedication, compassion, and professionalism in nursing today. From her very first shift, Ayesha has demonstrated a commitment to patient care that goes far beyond the expectations of a newly qualified nurse. Her approach is warm and empathetic, ensuring residents feel genuinely seen, heard, and valued, a quality that sets her apart in a field where compassion is paramount.

Ayesha’s attitude to learning is nothing short of inspirational. She approaches every opportunity, be it clinical procedures, care planning, or multi-disciplinary collaboration, with a curiosity and enthusiasm that elevates her colleagues’ practice as well. Her ability to absorb, apply, and reflect on new knowledge is matched only by her unshakeable professionalism, making her a natural role model within any care setting.

Colleagues describe Ayesha as approachable, reliable, and instinctively supportive. She navigates the demands of a busy home with ease, showing maturity and confidence beyond her years. Her technical skills are robust: fully trained across all core RGN competencies, she thrives in medication administration, patient assessments, care planning, wound management, and safeguarding, consistently delivering safe and effective care. Yet it’s her human touch, the calm reassurance, the patient listening, the small gestures that make a big difference that truly define her practice.

In short, Ayesha Gaynor is everything you hope for in a newly qualified RGN: highly skilled, professionally poised, endlessly curious, and fundamentally caring. Whether it’s building trust with residents, supporting colleagues, or seizing learning opportunities, she embodies the very best of modern nursing. Watch this space. Ayesha is destined to make a lasting impact in healthcare, setting the standard for excellence, compassion, and lifelong learning.

Marina Martin is our highly qualified in-house accountant, bringing exceptional expertise, professionalism, and integrity to every aspect of our financial operations. She has an invaluable depth of experience in care home accounting and consistently demonstrates an impeccable record of delivering the highest possible standards of financial management, compliance, and reporting.

Marina is meticulous in her approach, ensuring that all financial processes are carried out with absolute accuracy and in full accordance with regulatory and statutory requirements. Her work reflects the very highest quality standards expected within the care sector, where transparency, accountability, and precision are essential.

She plays a central role in maintaining robust financial controls, overseeing budgets, managing payroll, and ensuring that all financial records are fully up to date and audit-ready at all times. Marina’s ability to balance technical excellence with a practical understanding of care home operations allows her to provide sound financial guidance that directly supports the stability and long-term sustainability of the organisation.

Known for her impeccable professionalism and reliability, Marina consistently upholds the highest ethical standards and works diligently to safeguard the financial well-being of the care homes under her responsibility. Her commitment to continuous improvement, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to quality make her an outstanding asset to the organisation.

Through her in-house presence, Marina provides immediate oversight and hands-on financial leadership, ensuring that the organisation operates with confidence, clarity, and full financial compliance at all times. Her contribution is fundamental to maintaining the exceptional standards expected of accountants working within the care home sector.

Aubrey is a highly valued and dedicated member of staff who consistently demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and a strong commitment to providing high-quality care. He is well respected by colleagues and residents alike for his calm manner, positive attitude, and strong work ethic.

Aubrey approaches his role with responsibility and integrity, ensuring that residents are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion at all times. He shows excellent attention to detail in his daily duties and is proactive in supporting both residents and the wider staff team.

He works well under pressure and is always willing to go above and beyond when required, offering support during busy periods and ensuring continuity of care is maintained. Aubrey communicates effectively with colleagues, contributes positively to teamwork, and plays an important role in maintaining a safe and supportive environment within the service.
Aubrey demonstrates sound judgement, good organisational skills, and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement. He is keen to develop his skills further and consistently shows a willingness to learn and adapt in line with best practice and company standards.

Overall, Aubrey is a dependable and hardworking member of staff whose contribution has a positive impact on the quality of care delivered and the smooth running of the service. He is an asset to the organisation and a strong example to other members of the team.

Catherine Price is the Residential Manager at Brynfield Manor and has been a valued and integral member of the home for many years. With a wealth of hands-on experience in residential and nursing care, Catherine brings deep knowledge, stability, and strong leadership to her role, supported by an exceptional understanding of both residents and staff.

Having worked closely with residents over a long period of time, Catherine knows each individual exceptionally well, their needs, preferences, personal histories, and families. This continuity of care enables her to ensure that residents receive truly person-centred, compassionate, and dignified support at all times. Her approach is rooted in respect, empathy, and a strong commitment to enhancing quality of life.

Catherine is highly passionate about the work she does and takes her responsibilities very seriously. She leads by example, maintaining high standards of care, professionalism, and accountability throughout the home. She is actively involved in care planning, risk assessment, safeguarding procedures, medication oversight, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements. Catherine works closely with families, GPs, district nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure residents’ physical, emotional, and social needs are fully met.

As Residential Manager, Catherine is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the home. This includes staff leadership and supervision, recruitment support, training and professional development, rota management, quality audits, and maintaining a safe, well-led, and responsive environment. She plays a key role in promoting best practice, supporting staff wellbeing, and fostering a positive and stable team culture.

In addition to her extensive experience, Catherine is currently undertaking nurse training and is working towards becoming a fully qualified nurse. This further strengthens her clinical knowledge and enhances the level of care and leadership she brings to Brynfield Manor. Her commitment to ongoing professional development reflects her dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in care delivery.

Catherine is known for her calm, approachable, and highly professional manner. Families and colleagues alike value her integrity, reliability, and genuine compassion. Her long-standing service, combined with her forward-looking commitment to achieving a nursing qualification, makes her a cornerstone of Brynfield Manor and a trusted leader within the home.

A Standard of Excellence in Compassionate Clinical Care
Few professionals embody dedication, skill, and humanity as completely as Luda Amery. A long-standing and highly respected member of the care team, Luda has served residents with unwavering commitment at both Newton Grange and now at Brynfield Manor, where she continues to set the benchmark for nursing assistant practice.

Originally trained and registered as a nurse in Ukraine, Luda brings with her a depth of clinical knowledge and frontline experience that is exceptional within the sector. Her previous service in the Ukrainian Army has instilled in her an extraordinary level of discipline, resilience, and calm under pressure, qualities that translate seamlessly into the care environment.

Widely regarded by colleagues and residents alike as an exemplary practitioner, Luda is particularly renowned for her outstanding wound care expertise. Her ability to assess, treat, and support the healing of even the most complex wounds is considered second to none. She combines advanced clinical understanding with genuine compassion, ensuring that every resident feels safe, dignified, and cared for at all times.

Professional Expertise & Clinical Strengths

Luda’s practice reflects the very highest standards expected of a modern nurse assistant in a premium care setting. Her skill set includes:

- Advanced wound care management and skin integrity monitoring
- Infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures
- Accurate clinical observation and reporting (NEWS-style monitoring, escalation protocols)
- Medication support and safe handling in line with care home policy
- Dementia care and person-centred support strategies
- End-of-life and palliative care support
- Pressure area care and prevention of pressure ulcers
- Catheter care and continence management
- Nutritional monitoring and hydration support
- Manual handling and mobility assistance
- Safeguarding of vulnerable adults
- Mental capacity and dignity in care principles
- Emergency response and first aid
- Clinical documentation and care planning
- Multidisciplinary team communication with nurses, managers, and visiting clinicians

Her Ukrainian nursing registration and military medical background give her an instinctive clinical confidence that benefits both residents and colleagues. She is frequently sought out for advice and reassurance in complex or sensitive cases.
Training & Continuous Professional Development
Luda has completed and continually refreshes all core and advanced training expected of a leading nurse assistant, including:

Moving & Handling (practical and theory)
Infection Control & PPE compliance
Wound Care and Tissue Viability
Dementia Awareness and Advanced Dementia Care
Safeguarding Adults (Levels 1–3)
First Aid & Emergency Response
Medication Awareness
Health & Safety in Care Settings
Fire Safety
Food Hygiene & Nutrition
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Mental Capacity Act & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
End of Life Care
Record Keeping & Confidentiality (GDPR)
Clinical Observation & Escalation Training
She also brings international nursing standards into everyday practice, enriching the overall clinical culture of the home.
Personal Qualities
What truly distinguishes Luda is not only her technical competence but her character:
Calm, reassuring presence for residents and families
Natural mentor to junior staff
Deep empathy and cultural sensitivity
Exceptional work ethic and reliability
Trusted by management and peers alike
Universally respected for professionalism and kindness
Residents feel safe in her care. Families feel reassured by her knowledge. Colleagues feel supported by her experience.
A Cornerstone of the Care Team
Luda Amery represents everything that excellence in care should stand for. Her long service, clinical mastery, and selfless dedication make her an invaluable asset to Brynfield Manor. She does not simply perform her role, she elevates it.
In every sense, Luda is a top-tier professional: a nurse assistant of rare quality whose contribution reflects the very highest ideals of the nursing and care profession.
An outstanding clinician. A remarkable human being. A true pillar of the Brynfield care community.

Josh Hughes has been an outstanding and deeply valued member of our care team for more than a decade, and during that time, he has become one of the cornerstones of our service. With over ten years of dedicated experience, Josh brings a rare combination of professional excellence, compassion, and leadership to his role every single day.

Throughout his career with us, Josh has completed an extensive range of training expected of a highly experienced senior care professional. His knowledge spans all aspects of person-centred care, safeguarding, dementia awareness, medication management, moving and handling, health and safety, and leadership within care environments. He consistently applies this expertise in practice, ensuring that every resident receives care that is not only clinically sound but delivered with dignity, empathy, and genuine respect.

Josh is widely respected by the entire management team and by his colleagues, who view him as both a role model and a trusted source of guidance. His calm, professional manner and unwavering commitment to high standards set the benchmark for others to follow. New staff learn quickly by observing Josh’s approach: attentive listening, thoughtful communication, and a deep understanding that every resident is an individual with unique needs, preferences, and life stories.

Residents and families hold Josh in the highest regard. He builds warm, trusting relationships through kindness, patience, and an instinctive ability to put people at ease. His presence brings reassurance and continuity, and many residents look forward to seeing him as part of their daily routine. The care he provides goes far beyond tasks; it is rooted in genuine human connection.

The standard of care Josh delivers is truly second to none. He embodies everything that excellent care should represent: professionalism, reliability, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to quality. His long service is not just a measure of time, but a testament to his loyalty, integrity, and passion for supporting others to live with comfort, dignity, and purpose.
Josh Hughes is not simply a senior member of staff; he is an exceptional caregiver and an invaluable asset to our home. We are immensely proud to have him as part of our team and grateful for the difference he continues to make in the lives of residents, families, and colleagues alike.

Mr Syam Teeluck, Senior Carer
Mr Syam Teeluck is an exceptional Senior Carer whose professionalism, clinical expertise, and dedication to residents set an outstanding standard of care within our home. He consistently demonstrates exemplary practice in every aspect of his role and is widely respected and admired by colleagues, residents, and families alike.

Syam possesses outstanding clinical skills and works in close partnership with the nursing team to help deliver the highest possible standards of nursing care. His ability to recognise changes in residents’ conditions, respond calmly and effectively in complex situations, and provide reassurance and leadership to others makes him an invaluable member of the care team.
He has completed comprehensive senior carer training, including (but not limited to):

- Medication administration and medication management
- Clinical observations and escalation procedures
- Safeguarding adults and mental capacity awareness
- Infection prevention and control
- Moving and handling (including complex needs)
- Dementia care and person-centred support
- End-of-life and palliative care
- Pressure area care and skin integrity management
- Health & safety and risk assessment
- Fire safety and emergency response
- First aid and basic life support
- Leadership and supervision of care staff
- Record keeping and care planning

Syam is exemplary in his conduct, reliability, and work ethic. He leads by example every day, supporting junior staff with patience and encouragement while maintaining the highest professional standards. His teamwork is exceptional he is approachable, dependable, and always willing to go above and beyond to ensure residents receive compassionate, dignified, and safe care.

Beyond his technical skills, Syam is a truly fantastic person who brings warmth, positivity, and calm to the workplace. He is extremely well-liked within the team and trusted by residents because of his kindness, respect, and genuine commitment to their well-being.

Syam Teeluck is not only a highly skilled Senior Carer but also a role model within the care profession. His dedication, integrity, and passion for delivering excellent care make him an absolute credit to our home and to the wider healthcare community.

In the world of residential care, there are professionals who meet expectations, and then there are rare individuals who redefine them. Drisaya Parambil, Activities Coordinator at Brynfield Manor, belongs firmly in the latter category.

Drisaya is not simply an Activities Coordinator; she is the heartbeat of daily life within the home. With boundless energy, warmth, and an instinctive understanding of the emotional and social needs of vulnerable adults, she transforms ordinary days into experiences filled with colour, laughter, and purpose. Her work exemplifies everything the role should represent—creativity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to dignity and joy.

Her programme is as vibrant as her personality. Residents are taken on thoughtfully planned outings to beloved local destinations, from shared meals at Indian restaurants and Langland's Brasserie, to treats at Joe's Ice Cream and Verdi's. Summer brings seaside adventures to Caswell Bay, while scenic drives through the Gower reconnect residents with the beauty of the world around them. Shopping trips to Sainsbury's and excursions into the city centre restore a sense of independence and normality that is so vital to well-being.

Inside the home, her creativity shines just as brightly. Arts and crafts sessions, painting, drawing, and themed activities are not merely scheduled events; they are moments of expression, therapy, and shared happiness. Drisaya has a remarkable ability to draw out smiles, spark memories, and build genuine relationships with each individual she supports. Residents do not simply participate in activities; they feel seen, valued, and alive within them.

What sets Drisaya apart is not only her innovation and tireless enthusiasm, but her humility. Despite the profound impact she has every single day, she carries herself with grace and quiet dedication. She is deeply respected by her colleagues and truly cherished by the service users she serves. Her presence brings stability, optimism, and light into lives that depend on consistency and kindness.

In an industry defined by care, Drisaya Parambil represents excellence on another level. She does not just organise activities, she creates joy, nurtures connection, and enriches the lives of vulnerable adults with authenticity and love. Brynfield Manor is extraordinarily fortunate to have her, and the community she supports is brighter because of her unwavering commitment to making every day meaningful.
This is not simply outstanding practice.
This is inspiration in action.

Busayo Fejuku has been a valued member of our care team for a considerable period of time and currently works as a Care Assistant while completing her QCF Level 3 qualification. Throughout her employment, Busayo has demonstrated exceptional commitment to her role and has undertaken almost every piece of training available to her, consistently showing a strong desire to improve her knowledge, skills, and professional development.

Busayo is a highly respected member of staff who leads by example in her approach to care. Her understanding and delivery of person-centred care is outstanding. She shows genuine compassion for our residents, always treating them with dignity, patience, and kindness, and ensuring their individual needs are met with the highest standards of care.

She has expressed a clear ambition to progress to the role of Senior Care Assistant and already demonstrates many of the qualities required for this position. Busayo follows in Mandy’s footsteps by striving to better herself and by supporting colleagues positively, acting as a role model within the team.

Busayo embodies everything you would expect from an exceptional care assistant: professionalism, empathy, reliability, and a true dedication to the well-being of those in her care. She is an asset to our organisation and has a very promising future in senior care roles.

Damian is the former Head of Domestic Services at Brynfield and is an exceptionally dedicated and highly skilled member of staff. He has an outstanding knowledge of the home and its operations, knowing Brynfield “like the back of his hand.”
His devotion to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene is clearly evident throughout the home, which consistently presents to an excellent standard under his leadership. Damian takes immense pride in his work and leads by example, setting rigorous expectations for domestic services and ensuring they are met at all times.

He has completed all mandatory and specialist training relevant to his role, including infection prevention and control, health and safety, COSHH, moving and handling, and leadership and supervisory training. This ensures that all domestic services are delivered safely, effectively, and in line with regulatory requirements.

Damian is extremely reliable, professional, and conscientious. His attention to detail, strong work ethic, and commitment to excellence make him a remarkable asset to Brynfield. His contribution has played a vital role in creating a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for residents, visitors, and professionals alike.