Haviland House

I joined Haviland House as Care Home Manager in November 2022, and it immediately felt like the right place to be. My career in Health and Social Care began in 2012, when I started as an administrator in a nursing home in Brighton. From there, I progressed to Deputy Manager, then Care Home Manager, before becoming the Registered Manager of an 80-bed residential and dementia home.

I cannot imagine another career that offers such variety, challenge and reward. Making a positive difference to people’s lives every day is what drives me. I am passionate about supporting a team, influencing positive change and ensuring the highest standards of person-centred care.

At Haviland House, the dedication of the team is exceptional. Every member of staff plays a part in creating a warm and engaging environment for people living with dementia. We focus on helping residents feel fulfilled, connected and well cared for.

Getting to know the people we support, understanding what matters to them and seeing them happy is one of the greatest rewards of this role. Helping someone live a life that feels meaningful to them is something I am incredibly proud to be part of.

I have worked at Haviland House since 2018, and over the years, I have had the privilege of growing with the home and progressing in my career. I began as a Night Carer and worked my way up to my current role as Deputy Manager – Resources.

My role involves overseeing staffing, recruitment and resourcing to make sure we always have a safe and supportive staff?to?resident ratio. Because I have been part of Haviland House for so long, I am often the person colleagues come to when they need information or support, and I am always happy to help.

What I enjoy most is welcoming new residents and getting to know their families. Haviland House feels like one big family, and being part of a team that cares so deeply for our residents is something that means a great deal to me.

I trained as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital in London and have now been qualified for over 40 years. Throughout my career, I have gained a wealth of experience across a variety of care settings, with the past 30 years dedicated to supporting people living with dementia.

I am deeply passionate about dementia care and committed to ensuring that every resident is treated with dignity, compassion and understanding. Building meaningful relationships, getting to know each individual and supporting them to live as comfortably and independently as possible is at the heart of my role.

Nursing is a significant part of my life, and I am proud to come from a family with a strong nursing tradition. As a third-generation nurse, it means a great deal to me that my daughter has continued this legacy as the fourth generation, qualifying in 2014.

I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a profession that is both rewarding and meaningful. Supporting residents to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives is what motivates me every day.

I began my career by running my own home help business for 20 years, supporting people to live independently in their own homes. Alongside my team, we provided a wide range of services, including preparing meals, organising outings, assisting with appointments and offering day-to-day support tailored to each individual.

Following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, I transitioned into working within care homes and have found it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. I particularly enjoy spending time with residents, building meaningful relationships and helping to create a warm, homely and welcoming environment for everyone. I am passionate about making a positive difference in people’s lives and take pride in supporting residents to feel comfortable, valued and well cared for each day.

Outside of work, I live with my young son and our ageing dog. My son has a strong interest in wildlife and hopes to travel the world one day, focusing on conservation and protecting the environment.

I am the Wellbeing and Activities Coordinator and have been supporting people living with dementia since 2009. I have a particular interest in advanced dementia and enjoy creating calm, meaningful and engaging experiences tailored to each individual.

My background is in art therapy and adult education, and I hold a Master’s degree in Education. Creativity plays an important role in my work, and I enjoy using art and storytelling to connect with people, especially when communication can be more challenging.

I believe that curiosity is essential in dementia care - remaining open, reflective and willing to learn helps me provide the best possible support. I am proud to work for Guild Care, where kindness and compassion are at the heart of everything we do.

I have been working at Haviland House for the past two years as a Care Home Administrator, and I thoroughly enjoy my role. Building relationships with residents and their families is a particularly rewarding part of my work, and I value the opportunity to support them each day.

Before joining Haviland House, I worked at Guild Care’s head office in Administration and Governance Services. This experience provided me with a strong foundation of skills and knowledge that I continue to use in my role.

Outside of work, I spent seven years living in New Zealand, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. It gave me the opportunity to travel, meet new people and experience a different way of life—something I will always value.

I’m Buddy, an eight-year-old Labrador with a very calm and patient nature. I’ve been coming to work with my mum my whole life, so being around people feels completely natural to me.

During the COVID pandemic, I spent my days visiting residents who were feeling lonely or isolated, and I did my best to bring comfort just by being there. Ever since, I’ve developed a real appreciation for all the strokes, cuddles and kind words that come my way.

I’m known for my love of tennis balls and for being extremely dedicated when it comes to cleaning up any food that might hit the floor. These days, I enjoy a slower pace of life, and I’m happiest snoozing nearby, keeping people company and getting a good scratch behind the ears.

I’m Mabel, Buddy’s little sister and a very enthusiastic two-year-old Cocker Spaniel. I’m still learning from him, but I like to think I bring my own bit of flair to the job.

I adore cuddles, and I’m excellent at rolling over for belly rubs the moment I meet someone new. I’ll happily chase anything that moves and, even though I’m small, I have a surprising talent for helping myself to any snacks that get left within reach.

Full of energy, charm and a little mischief, I love being part of the team, and I do my best to bring a spark of fun wherever I go.