Walfinch Reigate & Horsham

The Care sector appeared on my radar when my Granddad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and wasn’t able to receive care which catered to his specific needs. Microwave meals and no help with household chores meant that if he hadn’t had support from his family, his nutrition would have suffered and companionship and comfort would have been severely lacking. This made me question “How does someone with no family cope?”

I now have an uncle suffering from Motor Neurone Disease, he is fiercely independent and I see first-hand the importance of a service which allows people to maintain as much of their independence for as long as possible.

I have huge respect for the Carer community and when starting this business I set out to become an employer of choice within the sector by rewarding people for their caring nature, loyalty and hard work.

I started my career in Insurance covering both claims and underwriting in the Equine industry. I then moved to London to start a career in Finance covering multiple roles including Sales, Trading, Broking and Project Management for a variety of Asset Classes. Having wanted to leave the Finance industry for the last few years and work for myself, the partnership with Walfinch presented the perfect opportunity to build a Franchise within a rewarding sector whilst utilising and implementing the business experience garnered from multiple industries.

My long-term goal for Walfinch Reigate and Horsham is to create a culture whereby both Clients and Carers are valued members of, not just a team or brand, but a community.

I love animals and have grown up with horses, dogs, cats and more. I have recently added a little French Bulldog, Ralph, to the Walfinch family. I love cooking trying new food and spending time with my family and friends.

I have been working in Adult Health & Social care since early 2017 and quickly realised that the care sector was my vocation. I started my career journey as a care assistant, and through further education and good practice, I was first offered a position as a registered manager in 2021. I have managed care home and homecare services, and over the years I have been involved in the care and support of a wide variety of individuals, each with their own unique needs, preferences and goals. I am an advocate of ongoing personal development, and I love a challenge! I have completed NVQ’s up to Level 5, and it is a goal of mine to obtain a master's degree in Health & Social care.

As a Registered Manager, I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of our service in line with CQC regulations, government legislation and our internal policies and procedures.

It can feel overwhelming when the time comes for an individual to consider care for themselves or a loved one and we aim to make this process and adjustment period as easy as possible. I am passionate about making a positive difference in the daily lives of the individuals we care for, as well as supporting their loved ones and extending my advice and empathy to all those involved.

We have established a superb team here at Walfinch Reigate & Horsham. We are mutually invested in our clients, and their wellbeing and enabling them to continue to live safely in their own homes.

I am a Mother to two young children who keep me busy in my free time, and I enjoy losing myself in a good book. As a South-African, I enjoy the warmer weather, the sun and quality time spent with my family and friends.

Having been in the Care Industry for the past six years, I am delighted to be in a position where I have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of individuals who need support in their homes and empower them to remain as independent as possible. I enjoy meeting people, hearing their stories and ensuring the care they receive is person-centred and tailored to their needs.

I am responsible for coordinating the rostering which I love. I have completed my First Aid training, I am a registered 'Dementia Friend' through the Alzheimer's Society and I have completed the Care Certificate.

When time allows I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my two fur babies, my home and travelling.

I have worked in domiciliary care for over six years and have loved every minute. During this time, I have achieved my NVQ 2 and I intend to achieve further qualifications in the future. I really enjoy being out in the community and my role as Field Care Supervisor enables me to remain 'hands-on' in a senior role. One of the most fulfilling parts of the job for me is getting to know our clients, seeing them as extended members of my family and ensuring the care they receive is in line with their unique needs and preferences.

My goal is for our clients to feel safe, and secure and to know they are never alone! I take pride in our care team, who are all friendly and caring - I love working alongside them and supporting them with their training and ongoing personal development.

I have four children and six grandchildren (all of whom are boys!) so they keep me on my toes! In my free time, I enjoy walking, reading and completing puzzles.

The opportunity to be involved in Walfinch Reigate & Horsham from its inception, alongside Richard (my son), was too good to miss. We both hold the same attitude towards care and how it can be improved based on our personal past experiences with our family and friends.

Richard is passionate about good quality care, as am I.

To now be able to head up the recruitment and training is ideal for me as I have a long history in both, which stands me in good stead. My past experience in compliance helps me to ensure that we recruit staff that share our ethos and that we meet CQC requirements. This is imperative to ensure the safety of our vulnerable clients.

On a personal level, horses have been a lifelong passion as have all animals. I currently have two cats and Monty, my Cockapoo, who our clients love, he’s a great therapy dog.