Three colleagues shortlisted for West Sussex care awards | Meet the team
Meet the team
We employ around 170 staff across our care homes, housing schemes and support office. With so many diverse roles, we would like to introduce you to some of our team. Just click on the roles below to find out more.
Care Assistant
Care Home Administrator
I support the Care Home Manager with all the administration at the home. This includes for example completing forms for new residents and staff, collating the residents’ activity calendar, paying invoices, helping to manage the budget, completing and submitting payroll and liaising with support services in Seaford.
I’m the first point of contact for everyone who walks through the door so I welcome friends and families of residents, doctors, nurses, tradesmen and I take care of all the telephone calls. Some of my colleagues say “I’m the glue that holds the home together!”
This is a very busy role and I have the freedom to complete my work, be with the residents and interact with staff. We’re a good team here.
Jessica at Oakwood Court care home, Haywards Heath.
Maintenance
I take care of the day to day maintenance of the building making sure all the checks have been done, including fire and gas safety and electrical testing. My role also includes tasks such as unblocking shower wells, checking light bulbs and cleaning the bins. There is generally a lot of cleaning involved and ensuring everything is in working order. I also decorate rooms when they become vacant.
I enjoy spending time talking to residents when I’m working in their rooms and supporting the care team. I may have my week planned out but sometimes my work can be very reactive, you never really know what you’re going to walk into in the morning, this is why I love working here.
I have enjoy the opportunity to do activities with residents such as gardening, indoor play and dancing. Outside of work, DIY is my main hobby.
Allan Manalo at Oakwood Court care home, Haywards Heath.
Scheme Manager
I love working with older people and hearing their life’s experiences. I enjoy enriching their golden years - making them easier and more pleasurable.
I've worked in a variety of care settings for many years. Care in the Community with profoundly physically disabled people and some with brain acquired injuries, before I started at Sussex Housing & Care.
Since working here I have been a manager at Saxonwood Care Home and then moved to become a Scheme Manager.
I enjoy providing a high standard of service to residents."
Fiona, Scheme Manager for Ashleigh Glegg House and Falfield in Seaford.
Three colleagues shortlisted for West Sussex care awards
We are incredibly excited to announce that three colleagues from Oakwood Court care home in Haywards Heath have been shortlisted for the West Sussex Partners in Care awards.
Jess James, Angela Kirby and Gill Brouder were all nominated and have made it through to the final. They will attend a complimentary glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 23 May to hear the results of their categories. The West Sussex Partners in Care accolades take place each year and the event has kindly been sponsored by a variety of organisations to recognise the commitment and dedication of social care workers across West Sussex.
Jess, Administrator, was nominated for the ‘clerical worker award’ for her positive ‘can-do’ attitude, going the extra mile and new initiatives she’s set up at Oakwood Court. Jess said:
“When I heard I had been shortlisted for an Award, I was overwhelmed! It is so wonderful to be recognised by my manager for the hard work that I put in every day and to know that it is appreciated by her makes me want to continue doing what I do. I love my job working at Oakwood Court and feel like I am part of a very special team. Everyone works so hard and supports each other, it’s a shame we can’t all be nominated!
I enjoy helping colleagues and residents and solving problems - which are usually IT related! I also look forward to sending my weekly email out to all the staff which normally entails reminders, notices and upcoming events, there’s also a funny meme in there somewhere and a positive quote to end with! I am now looking forward to going shopping for a fabulous dress and enjoying my first Awards Event!”
Angela, is a Laundry Assistant and was nominated for the ‘Ancillary Worker’ category. She takes time to get to know resident’s individual preferences and helps to brighten their day with her big smile and sense of humour.
Angela said: “I’m still in shock, I really appreciate the nomination for these awards. I love working with the Oakwood Court team, we’re like a big family and I also look forward to coming to work. We all look out for each other and it’s brilliant having an approachable, caring and supportive manager.
When heard I’d been nominated I was lost for words for a change! All my life it’s always been my older sister who’s got picked for things, and now it’s me! I’m looking forwards to the awards ceremony and meeting other care workers there, hearing their inspirational stories. It will be a nice build up over the next week to a special evening.”
Gill has been a care assistant at Oakwood Court for four years, her nomination was for the ‘Care Worker’ award. Gill always puts residents at the heart of everything she does, she empowers residents to keep their independence and her caring, calm and attentive demeanour is wonderful.
Gill said: “I am delighted to be nominated for an award. It makes me feel valued and I am proud of the work I do. My family are extremely proud of me and encourage my commitment towards my job. I do the best I can for the residents at Oakwood Court with care, patience and understanding. I love to give them my attention and time. I enjoy the company and support of all of my colleagues.
There is a lovely atmosphere at Oakwood Court, our team is great! I am very much looking forward to the awards evening, it is a brilliant way to recognise and reward everyone's efforts. I wish all the nominees the best of luck."
Bindu, Care Home Manager at Oakwood Court is delighted to hear about three of her team being through to the final: “Being shortlisted is a huge achievement in itself and I’m proud that Jess, Angela and Gill have been recognised for everything they do in their roles to support our residents and colleagues. We are one big team at Oakwood Court we’ll be rooting for them all the way! We hope they enjoy an evening of celebration at the awards ceremony next week and we will also celebrate here with our team and residents.”