Upton Mill Care Home

Hello, my name is Alyson, and I am the Home Manager here at Upton Mill.

I have worked in the care sector since 1981 in various settings that have given me extensive experience in nursing, residential, hospital and day services.

I have been a manager for just over 26 years and previously successfully commissioned a home in Bristol. I have also supported other care homes through local authority visits and Care Quality Commission inspections.

I love doing what I do each day and am committed to providing a high-quality service for our residents and their loved ones. The reputation of our home is incredibly important to me.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my partner and my very active Labrador. I have two children and three young grandchildren, making me a rather young and hip nanny!

Hello, my name is Kym Wagstaff, and I am the Deputy Manager here at Upton Mill.

I hold a dual qualification as an RGN and paramedic, and I have worked in both the NHS and private sectors for over 30 years. I am passionate about supporting senior individuals in living life to the fullest in a caring and high-quality environment that caters for their needs. I have worked at Upton Mill for just over three years, and when I walk through our home's front doors I feel that I am walking into the home of 64 individuals.

I care about our team and thoroughly enjoy working with them to unlock their full potential so that they can grow and learn in an environment that supports the six C's of care: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.

Hello, my name is Kirstie, and I am the Non-Clinical Deputy Manager here at Upton Mill.

I have worked in senior care homes since I was 18 years old, when my own great-grandmother was due to be admitted to a care home. Starting as a care assistant, I have worked in various roles, including administrator, home trainer and unit lead. I have worked across the private sector as well as working for a charitable trust, and the variety of experience I have gained in my different roles has been invaluable to me in my career. I was lucky enough to be promoted to my current role in April 2024.

I am passionate about staff progression and ensuring our residents have the highest standards of care and are empowered to be able to express their choices, goals and wishes so they may live their lives how they wish. I have always enjoyed working with senior individuals and could not imagine working in any other sector.

I live with my partner, two children, two dogs, two cats and our guinea pig! In my spare time, I love to read, go out with my children and spend time with family and friends.

Hello, my name is Correna, and I am the Client Services Manager here at Upton Mill Care Home.

I have worked in care for 40 years now and qualified as a nurse in 1991, working in orthopaedic trauma until I left in 2006. Since then I have worked in various areas of care from working for Stryker as a Clinical Support Specialist to working in private healthcare overseeing the private patient’s surgical pathway. I have also worked as a care manager in the community setting up live-in care packages and overseeing their ongoing management.

I am passionate about providing the best service for both residents and families, and my aim is to support them through the process, from initial enquiry to assisting with a stress-free transition into our home. Building good relationships has always been extremely important to me.

I live in South Gloucestershire with my husband and two miniature dachshunds. I have three children and three grandchildren whom I absolutely adore, and I love spending my spare time with family and traveling to new places.

Hello, my name is Charlie, and I am the Activities and Wellbeing Coordinator here at Upton Mill.

In my role, I put every resident at the heart of what I do by organising and overseeing a range of daily activities as well as individual personalised moments. It is a privilege to be able to spend time with our residents, to put smiles on their faces and have fun with them. I view each of our residents as a member of my extended family and take pride in getting to know every resident personally, ensuring there is always something for them to do that suits their interests.

To further my knowledge, I am currently undertaking a Level 3 apprenticeship with the hopes of furthering my skills to the benefit of our residents.

In my spare time, I enjoy socialising with my family and friends, watching movies and reality television.

Hello, my name is Sarah, and I am the Head Chef here at Upton Mill.

I have over 20 years of experience creating delicious, nutritious meals in schools, care settings and community projects. Having run a Community Interest Company for ten years, I understand the power of food to bring people together and brighten someone's day.

I am passionate about making food that feels like home. Working at Upton Mill, I am dedicated to serving dishes that are not only tasty but also tailored to each resident's needs, ensuring every meal is prepared with care, comfort and a personal touch.

I am an avid England Ladies' rugby fan and a season ticket holder for Gloucester Hartpury. In my spare time, I attend as many matches as possible. I also love spending time with my family.

Hello, my name is Liz, and I am the Clinical Specialist Nurse here at Upton Mill.

I have been a qualified nurse for the majority of my career, working in various settings and roles, including district nursing, commissioning work and legal work. The main passion running through all these positions is person-centred care, which is why I was attracted to Upton Mill, as they provide individualised care for all of their residents.

In my spare time, I love to travel with my husband. I do a lot of physical activity, which includes yoga, visiting the gym and trekking. I am also a practising clinical hypnotherapist.

Hello, my name is Issie, and I am the Home Administrator here at Upton Mill.

My role is to ensure the smooth operation of our home's administrative and financial systems, enabling our care team to focus on delivering high-quality care. With over 5 years of experience in finance, administration, and customer-facing roles, I take pride in being organised, approachable, and supportive.

In my spare time, I love to walk my beloved Jack Russell and, when I can, enjoy the beach, especially abroad.

Hello, my name is Brenda, and I am the Head Housekeeper here at Upton Mill.

I moved to Tetbury ten years ago and joined Upton Mill in 2020. After a year, I was proud to be promoted to the role of Head Housekeeper. I truly value this position, as it allows me to work alongside an incredible team and contribute to creating a warm, welcoming environment for everybody.

Outside of work, I am very family-oriented and love spending my time with family and friends, enjoying day trips and travelling whenever I can.