Sharon Chedzoy, pictured, has just become the new Registered Manager at Doveleigh Care's Dove Court Care Home in Seaton. This is her story.

Why Sharon decided to work for Doveleigh Care

Four years ago, she saw an advert in a local paper advertising the role of Assistant Manager with Doveleigh Care.

Sharon then Googled the company, and was surprised by how many awards it had won. She applied, and was offered the job.

She said: "It was a bit daunting to start with. Dove Court is quite a large home and there were a lot of staff and residents to get to know and being in the position I was, I knew I needed to know the residents' needs and the staff's personalities.

"All the staff and management were really helpful and made me feel comfortable taking on my new role."

Sharon has always been impressed with the management's openness to new ideas, and ability to adapt.

She added: "I had an idea of having our overtime bonus put into a savings scheme, which gets paid to us yearly in our December pay.

"The director agreed this was a good idea, and rolled it out across the three homes. The generosity of the company is immense - we have had so many gifts appreciating our hard work and dedication."

New role, new skills

Sharon then became a Deputy Manager, a role with extra responsibilities that enabled her to learn new skills.

She also started her QCF (formerly NVQ) Level 5, and became the Staff Wellbeing Ambassador.

Sharon said: "Staff had the opportunity to come to me with any issues they had, and hopefully I could advise them of local support networks to help with any issues.

"I held tea-and-talk sessions with the staff, all of which were in confidence."

Once, after heavy snowfall, Sharon and her colleague Rosie went above and beyond their normal duties and stayed overnight as they were unable to get home.

She added: "I remember looking out onto the patio and there was a lot of snow and a pheasant walking over - it was a beautiful picture. The night staff on duty were so kind. They both rushed to get any call bells that were ringing, so not to wake us."

The present day, working as a Registered Manager

Sharon's newest role as Registered Manager means that she is now responsible for the home, staff and residents at Dove Court.

She said: "I run the home with my team ensuring all the residents' needs are met and the staff are happy.

"I will continue with the outstanding care we give to our residents, make sure the staff are always happy, and try to have a flexible approach to staffing hours so their family time is met as well as the needs of the residents.

"Covid is always going to be a challenge as rules are changed frequently, so I have to keep myself updated on the current guidelines. It is always a concern when the test results come back every week, hoping that all the staff are tested negative. But we have continued to keep everyone safe."

Would you like to work for Doveleigh Care?

Doveleigh Care currently has vacancies for night staff at its care homes in Sidmouth (Arcot House), Seaton (Dove Court), and Colyton (Doveridge).

Sharon said: "I would recommend anyone who wants to feel part of a team and be valued to join our team."

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