Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Maidstone Road, Sutton Valence, Maidstone ME17 3LW
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9.9 95 Reviews
  • Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home, Maidstone
Sutton Valence care home provides residential, dementia and nursing care in 60 beautifully appointed bedrooms.

The home is located in the village of Sutton Valence, Kent. Its rural setting means the residents can enjoy expansive gardens and views over the surrounding countryside. There is a direct bus route into nearby Maidstone.

The home completed a full refurbishment in late 2024, including all bedrooms, and public areas including café, dining room, lounge and conservatory.

Large windows throughout the home make it bright and airy, some bedrooms even have doors opening out onto the garden. As well as lounge and dining areas, the home has a large room dedicated to when residents have visitors for events such as birthday parties or meals.

The home has a team of activities coordinators so there is always something going on. Residents can choose from a range of group and one-to-one activities, such as arts and crafts and exercise classes. Singers and magicians often perform in the home and milestones in years are celebrated by the whole community.

The home boasts a private dining room which can be hired for family parties, or occasions for your loved one to ensure that ever stronger family commitment is maintained and cherished they also offer trips to the beach, local castles, RHS gardens and garden centre in the home’s minibus. Residents are also supported in any independent activities they choose to do, inside or outside the home. Overlooking the local cricket grounds, residents can sit in the large conservatory or patio rooms and watch the cricket in the bright summer days and evenings.

Food is homecooked and nutritionally balanced. The home’s chef creates menus based on people dietary requirements and a dietician visits regularly. Every resident has an individual eating plan to develop and encourage a balanced and weight retaining diet at all times.

Care Provided by Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Respite Care
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 60 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • End of Life Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care
  • Physiotherapy

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Robert Dura-May (Home Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 60+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (60)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Year Purpose Built: 2000
    • Last Refurbishment: 2024
    • Number of floors: 2

Funding & Fees Guide for Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,789
  • This Weekly Fee rate is an indication only of a typical standard fee rate for a resident living in a standard, comfortable room. A final Weekly Fee rate will be confirmed once we have carried out a pre-admission needs assessment. For nursing care, Weekly Fee rate will be dependent on personal needs.


  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Bar/Café
  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Parking
  • Large on-site parking at front and rear of the building available to all visitors to the home. in the time of large public events at the home, there is a large free public car park 500yards on right-hand side as you leave the gates of the home.


Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home Reviews (95)

Total of 95, showing 21-40
9.9

Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.924) out of 10, based on 21 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home has 95 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 73
  • 18
  • 3
  • 1
  • 0

Date Published

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father passed away after being reunited with Mum. It was important that Mum attended Dad's funeral after 72 years together. Mum has dementia and is incontinent, which makes it difficult. The staff were amazing and supported Mum at Dad's funeral.

Reply from Chris Wheeler, Receptionist at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank You for your kind comments. Here at Sutton Valence, being part of your family and being able to reunite and support residents and families throughout the later years in life is key and we pride ourselves on being able to offer this as part of the great care package we deliver at the home. Regards to you and the family and I trust life is manageable at this sad time. Please do not be a stranger you are most welcome to visit at any time.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have now lived here for over 10 yrs and at the moment we are having major work being carried out in the home. I'm so much looking forward to seeing the finished outcome because what has already been done is amazing. All the staff are doing so well to keep our lives as normal a day as they can. All
staff in all departments are so nice they will always go above what their job is to help you out. The staff on the ground floor are awesome.
Also, the builders in the home are such a lovely lot of people they are explaining to us along the way all that they are doing. Thank you. The home is a lovely friendly place to be, it is a home.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I always find the activities and entertainment at the home appropriate and fun the client really enjoys the interaction and the activity staff makes sure that everyone is included.
I have enjoyed every event and activity I have been involved with the most recent one even includes a visit from a pearly
king and queen.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank you for your review, sorry but I am not personally aware of you at the home so I would respectfully request that you make yourself known to me so we can discuss some of the 3 and 4-star reviews that you indicate about the home as these are not usual for the service we provide, if you are able to contact the home this would be appreciated.
Regards
Robert


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All the staff at Sutton Valence from reception to care, nursing and activities were brilliant. Everyone cared, showed compassion at difficult times and made the end-of-life experience for my father the best it could be.
We were made to feel at home, my grandchildren were looked after, and we were
all known, treated with respect and a part of the care home community.
I couldn't have wished for a better home for my dad.
Thank you, everyone.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

it was a pleasure to provide care and support to your father and the family , we pride ourselves on our care and working with the family was a pleasure.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I found everyone very caring for my husband. Very friendly staff and welcoming.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank you for your kind response. We strive to provide the best care in the sector, often in times where challenges are all too often, whilst keeping residents safe and working with our families to ensure this happens.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I found everyone very caring for my husband.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank you for your feedback. This appreciation and feedback are most appreciated and thank you for your time at this delicate period in your life. I will pass the thanks and feedback on to the staff. If we can support you in any way please do not hesitate to call me at any time.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has received such wonderful nursing and care whilst a resident. From the warm welcome, the reception staff give upon entering to the amazing relationships the staff build with not only my mum but our whole family; this place rightly deserves the word home in its title. Covid has made everything
difficult but over the last year, staff have worked hard to ensure we have been able to maintain good and regular contact whilst not compromising on health and safety. The management has supported their staff effectively, been personally on hand to help us when needed and I feel sure they truly appreciate what dedication is on display every day. Whilst I won't name individuals, there are particularly special people here for whom this is obviously a vocation and I feel blessed they have cared for, listened to, laughed with and nurtured my mum.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Your words are truly appreciated, it is always easier when families work with us to provide the best possible care. Mum will be truly missed as will the support of the family.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very friendly staff and welcoming. The care home is clean and well organised, and I feel my friend feels safe and looked after. I'm very pleased with Sutton Valence.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

It is pleasure to care for your loved one at Sutton Valence and provide the care levels that both Barchester, the manager and staff always endeavour to provide and ensure your family member as we would want our own family members to be cared for whilst in a care provider. Thank you.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father continues to receive excellent care and all the management and staff are always friendly and approachable. I cannot fault in any way the care he has received since day one of his arrival at the home. His health has improved and to hear him praise the staff and the food he gets always brings
a smile to my face. Keep up the exceptional work.
Many thanks.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

it is a pleasure to work together with a family who converses and have an open discussion about the care provided, my staff always explore to give the very best care and we are pleased this is recognised by you and the family.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Sutton Valence is an excellent care home in most respects. All staff show dedication, kindness and understanding, which you dream you will find; it is far beyond expectation. The food provided was a delight; nothing was too much to ask for. Some superb tastes were created, Thank you maintenance, extremely
good. Gardens pleasing, restaurant very pleasant, ascces to light entering the home very good indeed.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

My mum was very happy at Sutton Valence. She said she felt well cared for and the staff are very attractive. She is returning for a second visit later this summer and feels very settled with her experience and doesn't mind returning.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank you for your lovely comments, we look forward to supporting the family with another period in July.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I found Sutton Valence nursing home to be a very caring environment. My mother-in-law had severe diabetes when she arrived at the home but the two wonderful nurses get the diabetes all under control. I would highly recommend the caring staff and my mother-in-law said how wonderful they were. Even during
covid, the home provided a safe environment where we could visit her, see her and talk via a microphone and screen.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

How lovely to hear from you and trust the family are well. It is always great to share with the team what they do and how they change lives and your words most appreciated. Stay safe and stay well, regards to you all.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mother came to Sutton Valence for a months respite care and to see if she was ready for full time care home living. Although at the end of the month she decided she can continue to live independently for the time being - I cannot fault the care, understanding and friendship she was given during her
stay. Well done to the team.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Mum was a joy to care for and mentally just not ready but I am glad she has indicated the care and her purpose to return to us when she feels the time is right. Stay safe and send Mum our regards.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Thank you to the manager and all the staff for their care and love they give to our Mum since she came to stay 3 years ago. It has certainly been a challenging year for all be it resident, staff and relatives. The staff have continued throughout to provide an excellent service and environment for
our Mum to be cared for safely. It is very reassuring to see that she seems happy and content within such a lovely environment by staff who show that they care and treat her as if she was their own relative. When visiting it is also appreciated that l always feel so welcome by friendly and familiar staff (the staff turnover appears low) who knows Mum. If I have a query it is always dealt with promptly and nothing is too much trouble.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank you for your kind words and recognition of the team at Sutton Valence.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can't thank the whole Barchester Sutton Valence team enough for the care and kindness they give to my mum. She has been with them for several years now and I know she regards them as family, which has been such a comfort for her children during these strange and uncertain times.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Your support of the home and your praise for our care are appreciated. Mum is a pleasure to care for, and with the support of the family, this makes this even more fruitful and always in the best interests of Mum.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Unclear Covid rules, it is difficult to give a review on all aspects of the home. But the pieces I have seen and dealt with have been nothing but 100%. Impressed by the staff especially. Very good, safe place for my Dad to be.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank you for your lovely review. In regards to Covid regulations and visiting, whilst these are changing, we do send regular updates to the family via your brother's email. I will update you personally and again thank you for your lovely comments and review.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Sutton Valence Care Home offer excellent care to both of my parents, who have resided there for over two years. All the team offer a wealth of experience, warmth and care to all the residents, and my parents have truly settled in the home. The staff all understand the needs of my parents who have been
married for over 70-years and meet my father's demands for endless cups of tea! They are happy to discuss any of my concerns regarding their health, and during the pandemic, have worked extremely hard to keep all the residents and staff safe. I would definitely recommend Sutton Valence Care Home.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank you for your lovely comments. We pride ourselves in the care we deliver and ensuring that every resident is at the centre of their care delivery and these current times have been supported totally by our relatives. Thank you again, I will pass on your review to the team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very happy with the nursing care my husband is receiving due to a very unpleasant and painful pressure sore which he contracted whilst still in hospital after suffering a stroke in September 2020. All the staff are very helpful and caring when I need to speak to them.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Your husband is a pleasure to care for and whilst we are working and caring in extreme times have retained visits via the visiting suite and this has enhanced well being for the residents.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father was cared for at Sutton Valence between April 2020 and January 2021. The care he received was excellent and he was kept safe from Covid. We can't praise the staff enough for their care and attention. Thank you.

Reply from Robert Dura-May, General Manager at Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home

Thank you for your lovely comments Dad was a real gent and stoic in every way, a pleasure to care for in these uncertain times. The family have been wonderful to work with so please thank them all for their understanding of a difficult few months in these uncertain times.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dad is well known and cared for. Staff are friendly to me when I phone or visit. Throughout the Covid period, my dad has been very safe, and at all times, I have been contacted if there have been any concerns. Overall, the staff at Sutton Valence Care Home are excellent. However, Barchester (the
owners) seem very poor on the finance side of things.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.924)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.924) out of 10 for Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 21 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 21 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.924 for Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (232 Excellents x 5) + (17 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 250 Ratings = 4.924

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Barchester Sutton Valence Care Home is based on 21 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 60 registered maximum number of service users is 12, which has been reached with 21 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 22 Jul 2022

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good
  • Effective

    Good
  • Responsive

    Good
  • Safe

    Good
  • Well-led

    Good

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

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Bed Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (55)

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Meet the Team (15)

Robert

Robert Dura-May

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2016

Hi, my name is Robert, and I am the Senior General Manager here at Sutton Valence. Welcome to our website!


I joined Barchester HealthCare, as I was looking to use my life skills to enhance both the lives of residents and team members, I liked the values and description of Sutton Valance and Barchester as a care provider.


I really enjoy the daily challenges, team recruitment and always pushing and exceeding performance where I can. I also enjoy adding value, enhancing care and giving elders life purpose to enable them to engage in a fulfilled life.


I am passionate about delivering the levels and standards of care that I would expect for my own parents who are sadly no longer with us. If I had known about Barchester when my own parents required care, my family would have not experienced such pain and anxiety, this is why I chose Barchester to ensure that other families do not, where possible, have to endure what I had experienced in the past.


I have over 20 years of experience in the NHS, Private and Public businesses and have worked in the care sector with children, young adults, adults with acquired brain injury and the last 10 years in elderly care.


I have recently studied open university courses to ensure decisions made at home reflected best practices providing a safe community.


Making a difference in people's lives throughout my career has been my biggest achievement. I strive to continually develop to ensure that the individuals I care for, experience the very best care and life enrichment in later life.


Every day is an achievement delivering and pushing the levels of care to exceed the expectations of Barchester and myself.


Nisha

Nisha Philip

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2004

My name is Nisha, I am the Deputy Manager at Sutton Valence and have been employed here for over 15 years.


I started as a nurse, and clinical lead and my main duties now are to support the Home Manager and the entire team in order to provide excellent care for our residents. I also enjoy acting up as Manager whilst the Manager supports other homes.


I am a qualified nurse with over 20 years of experience. I hold the qualifications of a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, Level 5 in palliative care management, Diploma in leadership and management. At Sutton Valence we have strong leadership that makes the working environment a place I love to be able to call and value as my workplace, we have a fantastic team of nurses and carers to deliver proactive and outstanding care to our residents.


Lisa

Lisa Henderson

Job Title: Administrator

Joined: 2011

My name is Lisa I am an administrator at Sutton Valdence Care Home my role is to provide support to the Home Senior Manager, employees, relatives and residents supporting the whole home aspect and ensuring that both the back office and front of house run efficiently.


My main duties are supporting HR, Payroll, and both the homes and residents accounts, the role involves more than admin delivery encompassing care and compassion to residents engaging in meaningful activity with residents, art, singing supporting with nutrition if required and fulfilling the whole home approach to care. Employed at Sutton Valence for over 10 years coming from an NHS medical secretary background utilising skills and relationships learned across the years.


Catherine

Catherine Chanachimwe

Job Title: Unit Manager

Joined: 2011

My Name is Catherine. I am a fully qualified clinical nurse with 19 years of overseas nursing experience supporting the team at Sutton Valence Care Home, originally from Zimbabwe and based in the UK since 2001.


Catherine is the lead wound management champion and supports the nursing team with all aspects of treatment, dressings and care planning to aid the recovery of wounds at the home, often acquired before admission to the home. Catherine is a highly skilled individual with much value at the home.


Ligi

Ligi Nippy

Job Title: Nurse

Joined: 2019

My name is Ligi Nippy, I am a fully qualified nurse with strong experience in delivering quality care to patients and residents and have been employed here for 4 years.


Professionally I have more than 27 years of practice in different areas like operation theatre and General wards. I hold the qualifications of a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery.


I am working as a night unit in charge, with a strong ability to lead the team, also is known for giving attention to detail and dedication to getting work done. I value the importance of patient-centred care and I enjoy working with my team to ensure our residents are receiving the best care as possible.


I have been supported by the management in my development in the home through mentorship and progressive training within Barchester.


Linfin

Linfin Jose

Job Title: Unit Manager

Joined: 2021

My Name is Linfin Jose I am a qualified nurse with strong experience in delivering quality care to patients and residents. Professionally I have more than 15 years of practice in different areas like Cardiac theatre, Cardiac Intensive care Units and General wards.


Working as a Unit In charge at Sutton Valence Care Home since April 2021. I am a Caring and reliable person with a reputation for building a great rapport between medical providers and residents. Committed to making residents have a more informed and comfortable life whilst in my care.


I am supported in my development in the home through mentorship and progressive training within Barchester.


Jo

Jo Vickery

Job Title: Unit Manager

Joined: 2019

Hi, my name is Jo and I have been one of the Registered Nurses at Sutton Valence since 2019. I am extremely passionate about my role and like to form relationships with the residents and I am dedicated to giving good holistic care to each resident. Since being at Sutton Valence through the support of the management team and encouragement of training through Barchester, I have been able to develop my skills and have since become a unit manager. The team at Sutton Valence has a family feel and we all work incredibly well together.


My career as a carer started when I became a community carer and then I started working as a clinical support worker at Medway Hospital. The hospital then sponsored me for my training in Nursing where I qualified in 2014.


During my nursing at the hospital, I worked in the surgical department and ICU.


Robert Iain

Robert Iain Malcolm

Job Title: Senior Care Assistant

Joined: 2016

Hello, I am Robert Iain Malcolm, one of the senior carers at Sutton Valence Care Home. I have been working here for 7 years with my wife who is also working at the home as a care assistant.


Currently, I am the Dementia Champion in the home, supporting, and mentoring staff to make the lives of our residents living with dementia a purposeful and proactive life whilst in our care.


I am also supported by the home manager to develop and progress my career and currently, I am undertaking a care practitioner course to develop my skills further.


Lorraine

Lorraine Wickens

Job Title: Senior Care Assistant & Well-being Champion

Joined: 1993

My name is Lorraine and I am a Senior Carer at Sutton Valence.


I first started working as a carer at Sutton Valence in 1993 at just 20 years old. I left a couple of times to have my children until 2003. Since then I have become a Senior Carer and find caring for the elderly thoroughly rewarding.


Working at Sutton Valence is like having another family. My colleagues are lovely and friendly, we all look after one another and work great as a team.


When I’m not at Sutton Valence I enjoy looking after my grandchildren and spending time with the family.


Gemma

Gemma Bhandari

Job Title: Activities Coordinator

Joined: 2015

My name is Gemma I am an Activities coordinator at Sutton Valence care home. I have been working here for nine years and love it. I grew up in Sutton Valence Village and attended the local Primary school.


I have always been passionate about the care of others and enjoy enriching the lives of our Residents. I have a Diploma in Health and social care and have worked in private health care for over 14 years. I have always loved performing arts and studied them at school. I am a very proud Mother to Amaya and Jacob.


Amy

Amy Hall

Job Title: Activities Coordinator

Joined: 2023

Hi, my name is Amy and I am one of the Activities Coordinators at Sutton Valence and have been working here since February 2023. Getting to know the residents and making them happy is an honour along with learning new skills.


Before starting at Sutton Valence I worked in retail, with animals and in a nursery with young children.


When I am not at work, I enjoy spending my time with my 3 children, friends and family.


Jacinta

Jacinta Wilson

Job Title: Activities Coordinator

Joined: 2021

The job description of Activities Coordinator fitted me perfectly and brought me out of retirement; I did miss the social aspect of working life... Enriching residents’ lives through arts & crafts coupled with a vibrant caring nature is me to a T. I have a passion for giving our residents access to their own self-esteem and confidence. Re-gain, explore or enhance their quality of Winter Life. Share the tools to make each moment the best it can be and if, it's, not then let's explore why. My team buddy laughs with me when I recall or mention the Golden/Platinum moments I've been blessed with. I witness them every day. Finding a way to give purpose to a day is a mission of mine and I do my very best for our resident family to gain that.


In my life before Sutton Valence, Law was always my passion. Firstly, my profession was an Associate Legal Executive and then a Freelance Litigator and a Barrister's Clerk. From there I became a Women Police Constable serving in 3 divisions within Kent. I have also been the Manager for Cordon Blue and Argos Retailers.


As soon as my daughter started school I wished to have a job that worked alongside her school day and term times but also encompassed my love of learning and need for challenge.


The local Secondary School was looking for a Learning Support Assistant. I worked within the education system for 19 years retiring as a Higher Learning Teaching Assistant.


When I retired, I set up two small bespoke businesses which I still run with a fantastic Client base and supported my husband's own business.


Andrew

Andrew Shovlar

Job Title: Gardener

Joined: 2021

My name is Andrew Shovlar.


I joined Barchester as head of maintenance in April 2021.


As head of maintenance, it is my responsibility to ensure all records are kept up to date and all certificates are compliant with Barchester regulations and health & safety in mind.


To repair any problem that arises and report any issues that I cannot fix or put right to an external contractor who arranges to have the appropriate contractor visit the site to fix the problem.


I am supportive of resident inclusion and support the wider teams with DIY tasks, games boards, backdrops etc. for fetes, celebrations and other activities to support the whole home ethic of the manager.


Hermmas

Hermmas Alex

Job Title: Administrative Assistant & Speak Out Champion

Joined: 2023

My name is Hermmas Alex, I joined as an Administrative Assistant at Sutton Valence Care Home in January 2023.


I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management and have been working within the hotel industry for the last 12 years most recently as a Restaurant Manager. I have put this customer service experience to good use as the first face that people see when they come to the care home. I am really enjoying my new role. I am being supported to develop and enhance my career by the home manager.


Chris

Chris Wheeler

Job Title: Administrative Assistant & Speak Up Champion

Joined: 2020

My name is Chris Wheeler, I have been working as a Receptionist at Sutton Valence since March 2020.


I am from Medway Towns and have previously worked in a busy call centre for 8 years. Before this, I worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland for 2 years after I finished university where I studied Policing Studies. My parents were both teachers (now retired) and I have an older brother who is a Doctor.


I decided to apply for the position as I wanted to change my role and try my hand at something different. I have greatly enjoyed and am still enjoying my role for the past 4 years and it has helped me greatly in my personal life, mainly due to the supportive team members we have here and the welcoming environment at home.