Meet Vicki – A Passionate Care Practitioner

Vicki, one of the dedicated Care Practitioners at Riverdale Care Home. With over 11 years of experience in the care sector and 3 years with Westgate Healthcare, Vicki is known for her warm personality, sense of humour, and compassion for the residents she supports daily.

Vicki never planned to work in care, she surprisingly wanted to become a chef. But life had other plans. After having children, her priorities shifted, and she discovered her passion when she took on her first care role in 2014.

From Cooking to Care – How It All Began Her first position involved caring for 21 residents. From there, she moved to another care company, where she completed her NVQ Level 2 and developed a dedication for helping others live with dignity and respect.

“I’ve always believed that everyone deserves to be cared for the way they want to be cared for”

Joining the Westgate Family In October 2022, Vicki joined Riverdale Care Home. The company’s values and the warm, supportive atmosphere is what drew Vicki to work with us.

“The morals stood out to me. When I met Nathalie, our Home Manager, I instantly felt she was someone who genuinely listens and cares. It felt like I’d found the right place for me.”

After completing her 6-month probation, Vicki was over the moon to be offered the chance to study for her NVQ Level 3, something she had wanted to do for years. Through determination, and a lot of hard work, she passed with distinction – all while balancing her role and family life.

In August 2023, she was offered the role as Care Practitioner, taking responsibility for overseeing the first-floor Dementia Unit.

A Passion for Dementia Care Over the past three years, Vicki has developed a strong connection to dementia care. She describes it as “rewarding, emotional, and full of stories from the olden days”

“Every person living with dementia is different. It’s about finding ways to connect. Through stories, laughter, or just sitting quietly together. You learn so much from every resident”

Why Riverdale Feels Like Home For Vicki, one of the best parts about working at Riverdale is the strong sense of family and teamwork.

“It feels like a family here. We’re encouraged to share ideas, and everyone’s voice is heard. Communication is key, and our management team really supports us, especially Maria, our trainer who has been amazing.”

Life Beyond Work Outside of work, Vicki enjoys cooking, playing darts, and singing. She often brings her singing into the home to lift spirits and spread smiles, although admits “Residents often tease me for my lack of ability to sing”

Family is at the heart of everything she does, and spending time with her grandson is one of her greatest joys.

Proud Moments One of Vicki’s proudest achievements is completing her NVQ3 with distinction, something she thought might never happen. She’s now considering completing her NVQ4 soon.

“It’s been a whirlwind, but in the best way. I’ve met so many amazing people along the way, especially the residents. I wouldn’t change a single thing”

Thank You, Vicki We’re so proud to have Vicki as part of the Westgate Healthcare team. Her warmth, determination, and dedication make a difference to her colleagues, residents, and their families every single day.

Thank you, Vicki, for all that you do and for inspiring others to bring kindness and heart into everything they do.

Looking for care for a loved one At Riverdale Care Home, it’s people like Vicki and the wider team who bring care, compassion, and kindness into every corner of the home. Together, they create a home where residents feel safe, valued, and truly cared for. Offering not only exceptional care but also friendship to their residents. Their dedication shines through in every small act of kindness, ensuring each resident’s comfort, dignity, and happiness remain at the heart of everything they do.

If you’re looking for a care home where compassion and connection come first, we’d be delighted to tell you more about life at Riverdale Care Home.

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