Maple Leaf House

I joined Maple Leaf House in 2016 as a Registered Nurse, working both day and night shifts. From the very beginning, I was passionate about providing high-quality, person-centred care and supporting residents to live fulfilling lives.

Throughout my journey, I have actively invested in my personal and professional development. I have completed a wide range of face-to-face and online training courses, sought advice and guidance from experienced professionals, researched best practice through various resources, and continuously developed my knowledge and skills, particularly in leadership and management.

Maple Leaf House has provided me with incredible opportunities for growth and career progression. Over the years, I have progressed from Registered Nurse to Clinical Lead, then Deputy Manager, and I am now proud to serve as the Registered Manager of Maple Leaf House.

Working in social care comes with many challenges, including staffing pressures, supporting residents with complex needs, working alongside families, and managing the day-to-day demands of the service. However, I have always viewed these challenges as opportunities to learn, grow, and improve. I use my experience, training, and problem-solving skills to ensure the best possible outcomes for our residents and team.

I am a compassionate and dedicated individual who leads with both professionalism and heart. The wellbeing of our residents, their families, and my colleagues is always at the centre of everything I do. I am committed to creating a warm, supportive, and respectful environment where residents feel safe, valued, and truly at home.

My goal is to continue building a positive culture at Maple Leaf House, where high-quality care, teamwork, dignity, and kindness remain at the heart of our service every day. Read less

Writing about my four-year journey in just a few words, or even on a single page, is not easy. It feels a little like trying to explain life without mentioning love. Every minute I have spent in the care sector has had meaning and taught me valuable lessons, and part of me wants to write about every single one of them.

I started my journey in care in 2022. At that time, I entered the profession with little knowledge or experience. I often describe myself as being like food without salt. I did not fully understand what care was or why I was there. All I knew was that I was looking after someone, and I had a heart that believed in working honestly, with dedication and compassion.

I began working for an agency, mainly covering weekend shifts. Every weekend was different, with a different care home, different colleagues, and different opportunities to learn. Looking back, it was like attending a new class every week, with new teachers and new lessons.

One day, I met a lady in her nineties who changed my perspective completely. She called me over and said, "You are a tall man. Where are you from?" After some conversation, she shared a few simple words that stayed with me forever: "Love people without reasons."

I asked her, "Can people be bad sometimes?"

She smiled and replied, "Try and see."

So I did. Day after day, I tried. I did not understand the lesson immediately, but over time I realised exactly what she meant. That was the day I truly believe I joined care, not because I started working, but because I started understanding what caring really means.

My second chapter began when I was proudly "adopted" by St Matthews Healthcare Ltd in 2024. Bringing with me the experience I had gained, I joined as a Care Assistant. I worked hard, giving my time, love, care, dedication and commitment to the people I supported.

However, my success was never achieved alone. It was the people around me who built the stairs through their guidance, support and lessons. I simply climbed them. Through hard work and consistency, I earned the trust of my colleagues and residents, and that is where my real journey began.

I was honoured to receive the Rising Star Award at Maple Leaf House and later another award in Northampton. During one of the award ceremonies, someone said, "Sukhi got the award, and he is sponsored by St Matthews Healthcare."

Those words made me reflect deeply. When I returned home, I thought about how important it is to give people opportunities. St Matthews Healthcare gave me that opportunity, and I will always be grateful for it.

Later, I was nominated by Gladys to become a Train the Trainer. This opportunity gave me confidence, knowledge and a stronger belief in my abilities. It encouraged me to continue learning and developing myself professionally.

As my skills grew, I applied for a Senior Carer position. My first attempt was unsuccessful. I was disappointed because, like many people, I do not enjoy failing. However, I chose to learn from that experience instead of letting it stop me. I worked harder, gained more knowledge, improved my skills and tried again.

The second time, I succeeded.

Today, I work as a Senior Carer at Maple Leaf House. In this role, I have learned that every minute matters, because a single moment can change everything. The position has helped me develop my leadership skills, strengthen my decision-making, and understand the importance of accountability and responsibility.

Most importantly, it has taught me that learning never stops.

As I said at the beginning, my pen and paper would like to write much more. There are countless memories, lessons and people who have helped shape my journey. But sometimes we have to pause one chapter before starting the next.

If there is one lesson that stands above all others, it is the lesson given to me by that lady many years ago:

Love people without a reason.

Love has its own language. It is powerful, it is beautiful, and it is at the heart of everything we do in care.

This is my little story. Read less