Avonbourne Care Centre

Les joined the Trust in October 2024 and has worked in the care sector since 1993, and since 2003 as a Manager.

Les started working in care at the age of 23 as a carer for learning disabilities and started working in the elderly sector in 2018.

Les has a level 4 in care and a Registered Manager’s award and in his spare time is a musician.

Les has very high care standards and everything he does is for the benefit of the people. Les is a motivator and always seeks to get the best from himself and his team.

Kamila has worked in a variety of care roles for many years. She joined OSJCT at Avonbourne Care Centre in 2017 as Care Lead, before becoming Head of Care for Avon Court, the specialist dementia home, in 2019. She moved to Marden Court as Home Manager in 2021 and returned to Avonbourne as Home Manager of Bourne House in February 2022.

Having worked as a community care supervisor as well as in roles within a care home, Kamila realised her passion is with elderly and dementia care. She leads her team to provide the best possible environment for our residents with dignified, person-centred care, and lots of fun and laughter.

Katie has worked for the Trust since October 1997 and has worked in care for 35 years. Katie decided to work in care because she had done a college course and did a placement at Bartlett House when she was 19. She really enjoyed this so applied for bank work at Bemerton Lodge and then got a permanent job in a nursing home. Katie has worked in nursing homes, residential homes, and dementia homes in numerous roles, and homes and is currently a Care Leader at Avon Court.

In Katie’s spare time, she likes to socialise, do craft work, reading and spending time with her family.

Alix began her career in care in domiciliary care and after five and a half years was looking for something a bit different. She was offered the Activities Co-ordinator role at Avonbourne Care Centre and hasn’t looked back. Alix loves the one-to-one time and feeling like part of the family at Bourne House, and she and the residents really have a lot of fun together.

Out of work, Alix enjoys keeping fit and spending the weekends on family time with her children.

Paula is one of our activity coordinators at Avon Court. She has lots of experience in implementing activities through various roles where she organised public events, and carried out fundraising and family events. Paula joined the team at Avon Court because she wanted to challenge herself, and she works to ensure everyone here receives stimulating and meaningful activities that are tailored to their lifestyle.

Paula has six grown-up children and three dogs, one of which she regularly brings into work, much to the enjoyment of the residents!

Paula has a love of all things vintage and boasts an amazing collection of vintage items.

Paula loves what she does and finds it extremely rewarding. She says that Avon Court is a wonderful environment in which to work.

Aranzazu, known to everyone as Aran, is the Head Housekeeper at Avonbourne. She takes great pride in her work which she really enjoys. Nothing makes her happier than seeing the home thoroughly spotless and smelling lovely to the residents.

Aran is passionate about what she does and loves chatting with our residents. She loves those conversations because they are all different with fascinating stories to tell. Many like things done a certain way, and to Aran, that is what her team is there for.

Aran is proud to have a wonderful team in housekeeping and laundry, noting how they all get on well together and she is very proud of the standards they maintain.

Sara has worked at Avon Court for four years as a carer. She has two sons, a dog and a lizard name Eugene, whom she loves to bring into work. The residents really enjoy seeing Eugene and getting to hold him.

Sara loves working at Avon Court because the residents are given freedom and choice in their daily lives. She also loves the diversity of the people that live here. She finds getting to know our residents a real privilege.

Simon began working at Avon Court as a carer in March 2020. This was Simon’s first-ever role in health and social care. He decided on a career change as he was seeking a more rewarding role where he could help make a difference to others. Simon says that the team at Avon Court are all really friendly and works together like a family.

Simon enjoys taking the residents to Salisbury football club to watch home matches. As a keen football fan himself, this is something that Simon and the residents really enjoy doing together. Simon strives to make as many people smile as he can each day.

Chris is the handyperson here at Avon Court, he has worked with us for almost 7 years. Prior to joining the Avon Court team, he was a Stock manager for a retail company for over 12 years. Chris has been happily married for 36 years and his wife, daughter and brother-in-law all work for OSJCT - they clearly like to keep it in the family!

Chris has 5 grandchildren, ranging from one to 17 years. In his spare time, Chris enjoys relaxing over a pint on a Friday with his friends. He is also an avid Manchester United fan.

Chris says that he loves his job at Avon Court because he loves meeting new people and making a difference every day. For Chris ‘it’s all about the residents’.

Lesley joined the Orders of St John Care Trust in February 2024. Whilst her primary role is Activities Coordinator, Lesley also works as a Carer.

Lesley states that she enjoys spending time with all the residents, making them smile, and making a positive impact on their everyday lives by taking them for a walk, playing bingo, or putting away laundry together.

"There is a great team spirit at Bourne House, and I enjoy having a laugh and giggle with my colleagues."

In her spare time, Lesley enjoys walking, cycling, socialising, and spending time with her family.

Mariana joined Bourne House as a Carer in April 2025.

Before working at Bourne House, Mariana had not worked in care. She says that what she enjoys about being a Carer is spending time with the residents and speaking with them, as they are so easy to talk to. Also working with her colleagues, with whom she has established great working relationships.

Mariana gets great satisfaction from making sure the needs of her residents are met and that they are kept safe and happy.

Mariana is married, and in her spare time, she enjoys socialising and travelling.