Not just any nursing home in Wales, Glaslyn Care Homes is a small, family-run business that puts care into everything it offers. Situated on a residential street in Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale, Chilton Place is one of two care homes that make up Glaslyn. We sat down with Chilton Place Manager Vicky Jenkins to learn more about her background and why she thinks Glaslyn Care Homes is a special place to work.
1. If you could introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background...
I am 34 years old and have worked in care for 16 years. I’m a mother of 2, a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. I have been managing in some capacity for nearly 10 years.
2. What got you into care?
I have worked in many care settings including General residential, General nursing, EMI residential, EMI nursing and mental health. I have primarily worked with individuals with Dementia since I started working in care at 18. I initially got into care because, when I was younger, I used to volunteer for a disabled sports club assisting individuals with physical disabilities to complete sports like, javelin, shot put, discus, racing etc. I really enjoyed this as I felt I was making a difference so I decided to become a carer. I initially worked in mental health but, within a year, I started working with individuals with Dementia and found a love for this.
3. What's your favourite part of the job?
The thing I love most about working with individuals with Dementia is that, despite the fact they’re experiencing memory decline, they are still individuals who have histories that are very fascinating. I like to ensure that each client I support is treated as an individual, despite a cognitive decline they can still make decisions about their lives and I try to make their days as meaningful as possible. There is no better feeling than supporting someone who is having a difficult time (because they may not understand what is happening) in feeling content and happy about their day.
The thing I love most about working with individuals with Dementia is that, despite the fact they’re experiencing memory decline, they are still individuals who have histories that are very fascinating.
4. What do you think makes Glaslyn Care Homes special?
Although I have only worked at Chilton for a short period, I have found that the home is unique. The fact that there are 3 floors with only 8 rooms on each floor makes the home feel cosy and the time spent with the clients more personal. The staff are excellent at their jobs and they are empathetic to the clients, understanding that everyone has bad days. The team at Chilton do everything they can to ensure that, by the time they leave for the day, the residents’ day has been filled with laughter and happiness. The staff know each resident very well and treat everyone that comes through Chilton’s doors with respect and kindness. Every staff member will go out of their way to ensure that our residents have the best care and support every minute of every day. The fact that the company is quite small makes it intimate and the proprietor is all about resident care and staff support. Nothing is too much for her; again, this makes this company unique. I feel very happy to be working for a company that focuses on resident care above everything else.
To learn more about Chilton Place, please visit this web page.
If you’re interested in learning more about Glaslyn Care Homes, please contact us by emailing info@glaslyncarehomes.co.uk
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