Finding a Career in Care

Barbara joined St Martins Care in June 2022 as Deputy Manager and progressed to the role of Registered Manager at the beginning of 2023.

Barbara explains that she “sort of fell into care” after returning from overseas when her husband was serving in the armed forces. She began working as a domiciliary carer with a small company and soon progressed to a supervisor role, even though she was initially unsure whether care would be the right career for her.

Barbara stayed with the company for seven years and during that time discovered how much she loved caring for older people.

Developing Her Career

Wanting to move into the management side of social care, Barbara later joined another domiciliary care company as a Case Manager. In this role she carried out pre assessments with service users before their care packages began, while still maintaining some contact with them.

She continued to progress her career with the company, moving into roles as Deputy Manager and then Registered Manager.

Although she valued these roles, Barbara found that she missed the day to day contact with service users. This led her to apply for a position within a residential care home, allowing her to remain in a management role while having more regular interaction with residents.

Leading Woodside Grange

Although Woodside Grange is the largest of St Martins Care’s homes, Barbara says it still has a welcoming and homely atmosphere.

“It still has that homely feel which comes from the great team of staff and the care they deliver is second to none. We have a new management team in place, who are very passionate, caring and dedicated and I look forward to working with them ensuring Woodside Grange continues to deliver the best care we possibly can.”