1 February 2023
Meet General Manager of Midford Manor – Carol Britton
We recently caught up with General Manager of Midford Manor Care Home, Carol Britton. Carol works at our brand-new care home in Bath, opening later this year, and talks about what she loves about care and what her role entails.
What does the role of General Manager entail?
The role is primarily to lead the team to deliver a high-quality service to our residents. For me that is about knowing the residents well and knowing the team too. Creating a happy environment is all about the people as well as the surroundings and ensuring that we all work to the same goal is vital in supporting people to live contented lives.
How and why did you start working in the care industry?
I have worked in the care industry for almost all of my adult life. I was drawn to it as a young woman by a young nun who worked in a nearby nursing home. I spent many years as a Care Assistant while my children were little and then moved to a junior management position. I could not imagine working in any other field, I enjoy every aspect of working in care and feel very rewarded by my career.
What qualifications do you have?
- 1996 C & G Advanced Management of Care 325/3
- 2000 NVQ level 4 in Management
- 2004 NEBS Management Certificate
- 2005 NVQ level 4 Registered Managers Award (Adults)
- 2005 Certificate in Coaching
- 2011 ILM Awarding Degree in Strategic Leadership level 7
- 2014 Bradford Dementia Group – Dementia Facilitator
- 2014 NCFE level 2 certificate in understanding the care and management of diabetes
- 2016 Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work
- 2016 Safe Medication Management
- 2017 level 3 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace
What should people know before moving into care?
Residents and their families should know all of their options before transitioning into care, and should look at multiple homes to find the best fit for them. It’s always good to do this to ensure you pick the home that is right for you. Ideally, they will know what they want from living in a care home, to have their needs met of course but to know how you would like your life to be, what you want to do will help you to make choices when you get there.
What do residents find hardest about the transition to care, and what will you do at Midford Manor to help this?
Several things are difficult to those who move in to a care home including leaving their pets behind. We could allow them to bring their pets with them and we already have one future resident talking to us about moving in with her cat. If it’s not possible to bring their pet with them for some reason, they could at least be regular visitors.
Residents also find it difficult downsizing from the size of the home, however, at Midford Manor, we have a variety of options including suites so people do not necessarily have to downsize too much.
Some residents may also be worries about leaving their personal belongings behind. We encourage people to personalise their room/suite when they move in the lessen the impact this can have on them.
Some residents may worry about losing contact with friends. At Midford Manor, we can support the person by encouraging and welcoming visitors or possibly support a visit to their friends in their old community.
When transitioning into care, people may feel they are losing control over their life. This is one very close to my heart and is easily overcome by encouraging and supporting the person to keep control of everything they are capable of controlling such as day to day decisions as well as more complex decisions albeit with support if needed.
What do you think is the best aspect of Midford Manor?
There are so many good things about Midford Manor. For a start, it is a stunning purpose-built home. Already, our show suite has been impressing everyone and the rest of the home will be just as good. Our team so far are very experienced and well qualified and are determined to ensure that we provide excellent standards of care to all our residents. We take very seriously the company charter and values and work to them on a daily basis.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I love my job! I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know the residents and their families. I also very much enjoy people management and developing multi skilled teams. I’m always up for a challenge so bringing team members on is something I look forward to. I’m happy to be here – having a job you love means it is never a chore.
How do you spend your free time?
Mostly with my family – I have two gorgeous daughters who each have two gorgeous daughters. I am blessed by having them in my life so I spend as much time as I can with them. Other than that, I enjoy a good walk with my dog and love my own home so am happy just being there.
Click here to find out more about Midford Manor.
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