I started my career in care over thirty years ago. During this time, I have gained extensive experience working in a range of healthcare settings including nursing homes, hospitals and caring for people in their own home. I had some time away from care, working for a Formula One team for a few years, then running my own graphic design business while my family were young.
I came to Birch Trees Five years ago to help out in the office and it made me remember how much I loved working in care. I have been at Birch Trees ever since, holding the posts of Business Administrator, Care Practitioner and Deputy Manager before taking over the role of Manager. I am also currently studying at Brighton University to gain a foundation degree as a nurse associate.
We are a family at Birch Trees. I enjoy supporting my staff to deliver the very best standards of person-centred care by creating a homely environment for all of our residents and their families, while promoting dignity and choice. My door is always open.
My nursing career began in the 1990. My passion was to nurse individuals holistically,providing high quality care and enhancing individual wellbeing.
Throughout my nursing career I have been employed in senior Management roles equipping me with extensive knowledge on home management.
My main goal is to support the residents and staff to provide excellent standards of care.
Darren has spent the last 15 years in management, and the last 6 years holding senior management positions. He has developed a variety of management and leadership techniques which have helped him lead a range of teams in different sectors to achieve positive results and outcomes. He values honesty and integrity and believes in mentoring and supporting people to motivate them and develop them so together they can be a highly performing team. Darren believes the residents are at the heart of the service and is dedicated to ensuring high quality care and service is achieved.
Eliza’s journey into nursing began from a personal experience of nursing and the impact of wanting to promote dignity and choice to the elderly. Eliza is the registered manager leading a team of dedicated staff to fulfil their potential, encouraging them through extensive training and development. Eliza is warm and welcoming and engages with the residents to form a special bond. Her door is always open and she spends quality time with each resident in Chartwell. Providing care is not just medical, it is about helping and supporting the whole person in both a mental and a physical sense.
Karen has over 40 years of nursing experience in many different settings, beginning her career in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army nursing corps. For the last 8 years she has been a ward manager on an acute medical ward at a local hospital, she is passionate about providing high quality care to the elderly, ensuring compassion, kindness and dignity are at the heart of care delivery. Karen enjoys developing and supporting her team and always has an open door for staff, residents, and relatives. Her career highlights include being nominated for several awards including a Nursing Times award, she was also invited to and attended the Queens garden party.
I joined The Victoria Nursing Group and Birch Trees Nursing Home in April 2020.
I have been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, over which time I have gained wide and varied experience in nursing. Initially I worked in the NHS on a busy acute medical ward, I have worked in both intensive care and renal transplant units. I have spent time working in Saudi Arabia, again, working in intensive care and busy surgical wards.
I have worked in nursing homes for the last 20 years and consider myself to be an experienced manager, I have built up a good support network within the West Sussex area and have worked alongside St Wilfrid’s Hospice to deliver a high standard of palliative care, I work together with the team and always ensure I have an open door.
I have worked in the elderly care sector since 1989 when I qualified as a general nurse. I have worked in some larger homes in the past but am excited to be working in a smaller home which gives me the opportunity to really get to know our residents , their families and friends to ensure they receive a high standard of care tailored to their specific needs and wishes.
Paula has over 33 years of experience as a registered nurse working in the healthcare sector.
She has been in senior nursing roles in the local area for many years and has developed excellent working relationships with a range of health and social care teams.
Paula has excellent leadership skills and is friendly, supportive and approachable.
She has strong values and believes in providing high standards of person centred care
Louise has over 25 years experience of working as a registered nurse locally in a variety of roles. She has built up a good network of support within the local community teams which helps her to provide excellent standards of care in the home.
She enjoys the diversity of care the home provides as there are NHS reenablement beds for people who have had lengthy stays in hospital, she is also passionate about providing palliative care and works very closely with the local hospice.
Louise practices a hands on approach working alongside her dedicated team of highly skilled staff to provide holistic care that is person centred. She realises the importance of life stories to create person centred care plans with a focus on activities. The home has a warm friendly atmosphere and Louise is always visible and approachable.