Get to know Marina Glaves our Care Home Manager here at Beachy Knoll…

Length of time at Beachy Knoll:

I have been with Pearlcare at Beechy Knoll Residential Home since 24th October 2016.

Qualifications & Experience:

Before joining Pearlcare I had worked with Sheffield City Council for 40 years in residential care, the last 20 years were in Management.

My ethos as Beechy Knoll’s Manager:

At Beechy Knoll we have a “Can Do” spirit, we encourage residents, relatives, and staff to be involved in the decision making within the home, our ethos is that this is the resident’s home, and we are privileged to support them to enable them to life their lives as unique individuals to the full. The barriers have been broken down, our theory is nothing is impossible, there’s always a way round to achieve what you want to achieve. We strive to ensure Beechy Knoll is welcoming, friendly, and safe to all who live, visit, and work here.

Biggest achievements whilst working at Beechy Knoll

Almost 5 years to the day, I commenced work at Beechy Knoll, CQC rating was inadequate in all areas, CQC were to close us within two days, I attended meetings with Sheffield City Council and began the long road to recovery for Beechy Knoll. I recruited a Deputy Manager who had previously worked with me in SCC (Sheffield City Council) and an Administrator who I had also worked with, having built the Senior Team we set about building the Care, Catering and Housekeeping Teams. Together we achieved a CQC rating of “GOOD” what an achievement we had to celebrate. Since then, we have gone from strength to strength building a good foundation to enable us to move forward.
Last Christmas the residents and staff put on a Panto, they were involved in the organisation of it, making costumes, scenery and props, Cinderella’s Carriage was decorated by residents, the home was like a fairy princess castle and awash with glitter.

We celebrated one of our ladies 105th birthday in July, after seeing this on our Facebook page, relatives were ringing asking if their Mum/Nan could have a party as it seemed that everyone was enjoying themselves, so the summer has been awash of parties and entertainers, this has been amazing for everyone. We celebrate every occasion, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthdays etc, the home is decorated to suit the theme of each occasion, residents are always involved in this.
This year we had a new conservatory, this has been an enormous asset to the home and used daily, for residents’ visitors and for craft sessions. Another addition to the home has been our newly completed Pod this has totally transformed the garden area, with decking and comfortable seating, this has been enjoyed by residents, relatives, and staff throughout the summer.