Meet Janet - our new lifestyle manager

I have worked in care for 20 years. I began my career as an activity coordinator, I then joined the care team as a carer. Over the years I worked my way up to senior carer, team leader, deputy and then manager, a position that I held for 13 years within residential care for those with dementia.

I’m not sure whether I chose care or care chose me. I originally had an office job, a job that I gave up to care for my husband who had MS. Eventually, my husband was able to be at alone and I felt that I both needed and wanted to get back to work. The care home down the road needed an activity person and the rest is history.

I enjoyed my activity role, but I soon realised that I wanted to be more involved with care, to help the residents and give them more in their daily life. This was the beginning of my caring career.

I moved quite quickly into the manager role, the residents needed a voice, and I knew that I could be that for them. I was driven to provide the quality of care they deserved, and becoming manager enabled me to do just that. I was dedicated to ensuring that our residents were treated equally, that they received person-centred care. I inspired my team to be passionate about their work, to be respectful, kind, helpful and much more, all of the time.

When I eventually left my manager position, I thought that my career in care was over, but a career in care is never really over, and when I saw the Lifestyle position here at priors Hall advertised, I knew that I should give it a try. I attended my interview and on entering the home, I knew that I wanted this job. I was so excited about the home and its residents.

I love the idea that my career has come full circle, I am looking forward to supporting the lifestyle team, suggesting new ideas and demonstrating to the care staff the benefits to be had by both the residents and themselves when meaningful interaction becomes part of their daily routine too.

To be able to bring a smile to a resident’s face, and to know that they are living a meaningful, fun, and happy life is the greatest of rewards.

Outside of work my main interest is sport, mainly football. That is of course watching it not playing! I can turn my hand to most thing in daily life and am confident that my life experiences will enable me to relate to a lot of things our residents have done in their lives.

I like helping people wherever I can, and I am always happy to invest my time in organising activities and events that help to make life a little more interesting. Over the years I have organised summer fairs, Christmas fairs, parties, outings and much more, I love arranging something that provided the opportunity for everyone to get involved.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to play my part in making Priors Hall Care Home a wonderful place to live and work.

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