Portobello Place

My name is Cindy Alland. I have worked in the Older Care industry for approaching 40 years and, in that time, have held numerous roles and faced just about every challenge there is!

Starting at ‘Grass roots’ I worked my way up from Carer, Senior, Head of Residential, Home Manager, Regional Business operations and then became an independent Interim manager and trouble shooter. I have managed care homes in multiple counties across England consisting of Residential, Dementia, Nursing and Sheltered/Assisted living – from small 26 bed homes to upwards of 90 beds.

I have also had overlapping spells of property development along the way and, most recently, my husband and I have moved into the house we have been building for the last few years.

I love to travel, spend time with my family, and am a keen gardener.

My work ‘passion’ though, is making a positive difference. I strive to empower those I work with to be the best they can, to create an environment that residents can feel supported and loved and staff can feel proud and valued.

I treat everyone with respect, as I would want to be treated. My door is always open. I want staff, residents and their families to know I am there for them. Well led staff create the best outcome for all. Enrichment of the lives of our residents and team is what I work towards. Person centred care, empathy and compassion are my focus to deliver the best I can.

With over 12 years of experience in the care industry, Alex brings not only knowledge and expertise but also genuine passion for supporting those living with dementia. Originally a qualified accountant, Alex followed her heart into a more fulfilling career in care, specialising in dementia nursing. As a Dementia Friend and Level 5 qualified in leadership and management, Alex is dedicated to creating a warm, supportive environment where residents can thrive. The focus is always on making everyday life meaningful and improving wellbeing through compassionate, person-centred care.

I have worked in the care industry for nearly 20 years and remain incredibly passionate about what I do. I joined Berkley Care Group in 2025 and I absolutely love being a part of the team.

As the Residential Care Manager, I am always happy to help and support in any way and pride myself on being approachable and dependable.

My role is all about supporting individuals and families as they explore residential care. From that very first enquiry and guided tour, through to assessments and admissions, I’m here to make the process as smooth and reassuring as possible.

I understand that considering a move into residential care, whether for yourself or a loved one, can feel overwhelming at first.

I aim to be a friendly, knowledgeable point of contact at every stage, whether it’s an early, informal conversation or guidance through respite (short stay) and permanent (long-term) arrangements.

If you’d like to find out more about life at Portobello Place, I’d be delighted to welcome you for a relaxed chat over coffee in our beautiful Bistro, which enjoys stunning views of the Chiltern Hills.

My background spans over 40 years in customer service and hospitality, and for the past two years, I’ve been dedicated to the residential care sector. Before joining Portobello Place, I supported two of our sister homes—Shinfield View near Reading and Ryefield Court in Hillingdon. Every Berkley home has its own unique personality, but we share the same ethos: empowering people to live well today and thrive tomorrow.

Hope to speak to you soon.

Richard has been lucky enough to work across most of the care homes in the Berkeley Care Group but is now based at Portobello Place as the Head Chef.

Richard has dedicated himself to the residents with a person centred approach with their catering and well-being requirements whilst providing great hospitality and service.

Hello, I am known as PJ, and I have been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years in various sectors. I would say I have a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating a welcoming environment. My team and I will ensure that every corner of Portobello Place is spotless, comfortable and cared for. From overseeing housekeeping standards and delivery exception hospitality, we are committed to making daily life at Portobello Place feel like a 5-star experience for our residents and their guests.

My name is Gita, and I am the Events Manager at Portobello Place. I am responsible for organising and delivering a diverse programme of events and activities tailored to our residents' individual interests and preference. These includes exercise classes, art sessions, games, outings and live entertainment from visiting musicians and performers. My team and I will always ensure our residents remain active, engaged and socially fulfilled.

Viktoria is an abstract artist from Ukraine, and she enjoys motivating and encouraging resident participation. Viktoria is involved in creating a weekly programme which includes one-to-one activities as well as group sessions, ensuring that this is circulated to all service users to know what is taking place and where.