Get to know Brett, our Care Home Manager here at Sandford…

Who are you?!

Hello, I’m Brett McGuigan. I have worked in health and social care for 14 years. I have managed 2 services over the last 6 years both EMH. I also held the role of team leader in a 70 bed purpose built nursing home. To aid my development and furnish my leadership skillset, I hold a level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

Apart from obvious experience, what other qualities do you bring to the care home in terms of your passions and drivers?

What I bring to the role at Sandford is my knowledge and skill. I have worked in numerous settings from elderly mental health care, nursing care, learning disability and additional needs. My passion has always been within elderly mental health, I am the dementia champion and have held this champion title for 7 years. My focus is on dementia orientation, how we can best support our residents to live a meaningful and empowered life. I have a very special focus on positive risk taking and maintaining as much normality for our residents as we possibly can. I am also very much in tune with greener living and ensuring we are living in a sustainable environment.

That all sounds great. What are your hobbies away from the care home?

I am a keen traveller, always looking to try new places and experiences.
Gardening – This is also a hobby I bring into the home, with lovely enclosed gardens for myself and the residents to enjoy.
Plantery science – I find this appeals to the curiosity about our place in the universe and offers the thrill of exploring the unknown.
Looking after animals too – But everyone says that, dont they?

Finally, why would YOU pick this care home for your relatives?

Our environment is extremely dementia friendly and very focused on people living with dementia – from early onset to more advanced stages.
With luxurious, stimulating and colourful outdoor gardens for all residents to enjoy.
We encourage and promote independence for our residents and offer the very best person-centred care.
We encourage all our residents to engage and participate in all aspects of life at Sandford.
These include even some jobs around the home! From painting the halls and bedrooms, doing some maintenance and DIY with our handyman to sorting the laundry and even baking.
We arrange regular trips awa from the home, to provide stimulation and alternative environments for our residents – Such as trips to Chester Zoo, Blackpool for the yearly illuminations, garden centres visits etc