Meet our manager at The Clough, Shane Hillery…

At The Clough, we believe that great care starts with great people. We’re delighted to introduce our new Home Manager, Shane Hillery, whose passion for people, leadership and compassionate care has shaped a rewarding career spanning more than 12 years in adult social care.
We sat down with Shane to learn more about his journey, his values and his vision for The Clough.

Tell us a little about yourself

Hi, I’m Shane, the new Home Manager at The Clough.
I’ve worked in adult social care for over 12 years, gaining experience across a variety of services and roles. My career has taken me from working directly in care through to senior management and multi-site leadership positions, but throughout every stage of that journey, one thing has remained the same: people have always been at the heart of what I do.

I’m a firm believer that a good manager should be visible, approachable and actively involved in daily life within the home. Building meaningful relationships with residents, families and staff is incredibly important to me, and I want everyone to feel comfortable approaching me, whether for a chat, support or simply to say hello.

Why is being a Home Manager so important to you?

Being a Home Manager is a privilege.
Families place enormous trust in us when a loved one moves into our care, and I never take that responsibility for granted. For me, the role is about so much more than managing a service or meeting regulations. It’s about creating a place where people genuinely feel at home, where they feel safe, respected, valued and listened to every single day.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the role is seeing the positive impact that strong, compassionate leadership can have. When a team feels supported, appreciated and confident, that positivity naturally shines through in the care they provide.
I also believe that managers should never become disconnected from the people they support. I want residents and relatives to know who I am, to feel comfortable speaking with me and to know that my door is always open.

What are you striving to achieve at The Clough?

My biggest goal is simple: I want The Clough to be somewhere that any of us would be happy for someone we love to call home.
The home already has a strong reputation, and I’m excited to build on that success by continuing to deliver outstanding, person-centred care while always looking for ways to learn, grow and improve.

I’m also passionate about developing people. I want every member of our team to feel proud of the work they do and proud to be part of The Clough family. Creating opportunities for staff to learn, progress and share their ideas is incredibly important because great care happens when people feel valued and empowered.
Ultimately, I’d love for people to hear the name The Clough and immediately think of warmth, compassion, happiness and a team that genuinely cares.

What do you enjoy most about working in care?

No two days are ever the same, and that’s one of the things I love most about social care.
Every day brings new opportunities to make a difference. Sometimes that might involve driving improvements within the service, while other times it can be something much simpler, such as sitting down with a resident for a cup of tea and a conversation.
Those everyday moments are often the most meaningful.
There’s something incredibly special about seeing residents happy, comfortable and enjoying life in their home. Knowing that you and your team have helped create that environment is a feeling that’s hard to put into words and one that continues to inspire me every day.

What values guide your leadership?

Kindness, respect, accountability and compassion are the values that guide everything I do.
I believe every person should be treated as an individual, supported to make their own choices and encouraged to live life in a way that brings them fulfilment and happiness.
I’m also a strong believer in leading by example. I would never ask a member of my team to do something that I wouldn’t be willing to do myself.
Another value that is very important to me is openness. Nobody is perfect and there will always be opportunities to improve, but what matters is being honest, learning from experience and continually striving to be better for the people we support.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

Family means everything to me, and I love spending quality time with my partner and the people closest to me.
Life at home is never dull thanks to our dog, Betsy, and our two cats, who certainly know how to keep us entertained!
When I have some downtime, you’ll often find me enjoying a good book. I’m a huge fan of fantasy novels and can quite happily lose myself in a great story for an evening. I also enjoy being outdoors, going for walks, keeping active and spending time with family and friends.
For me, the perfect way to unwind after a busy week is simple: being surrounded by the people and animals I love, with a good book close at hand.