HC-One are celebrating some of the inspirational women who have progressed to become care Home Managers this International Women’s Day.
This year’s global International Women’s Day theme is about embracing equity (recognising that every person has different circumstances and allocating the resources and opportunities required to reach an equal outcome). This is a value which is a core part of HC-One’s Aspiring Home Managers programme – which provides a development pathway for any HC-One Colleague of any expertise or background to develop the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to lead a Home.
To mark the day, HC-One have been sharing stories of some of the many different ways women across their c.280 homes have begun and progressed their careers in care to become leaders - demonstrating that with the right values and support, a career in care can lead to huge opportunities and career development.
Patience Rocha, Home Manager at Perry Locks Care Home, Birmingham, left her career as a Junior Public Relations Officer to join HC-One as a Care Assistant after becoming a mother in 2015, and seeking a more flexible job structure.
Patience enrolled for an Adult Nursing degree at her local university in 2017 and worked as Senior Care Assistant at Perry Locks alongside her studies – proving her commitment to developing her skills as much as possible.
With Patience’s growing knowledge and insight into the nursing profession, she was later promoted to Unit Manager and was delighted to take responsibility for ensuring best care outcomes for Residents and leading Colleagues to follow best practice in care. Patience gained a newfound confidence as Unit Manager and, with a couple of years’ experience in the role, progressed to Deputy Home Manager and Home Manager roles.
Patience Rocha, Home Manager at Perry Locks Care Home said:
“When I started my journey with HC-One’s Perry Locks care home in 2015, I never believed I could one day become Home Manager. I have been inspired throughout my career by my grandmother who, as a young widow, had endless amounts of compassion and care and a strong work ethic that saw her bring up four children on her own.”
Home Manager at Greenways Court Care Home, Kinga Kowaliczek’s first job was as an Assistant Beekeeper working in her father’s apiary. Kinga applied for her first ever Care Assistant role at a local care home in 2013 after hearing from her sister Sylwia how rewarding a career in care could be. In 2016, Kinga joined HC-One’s Fleming Court home in Jesmond as a Senior Care Assistant.
Kinga’s career has flourished thanks to her dedication and passion for continued learning. She was promoted to Deputy Home Manager at HC-One’s Springfield House home in 2017, before going on maternity break. Settling straight back to the role in 2019, she continued to further her knowledge and responsibility. Kinga also still makes sure to learn all she can from those around her including developing great relationships with GPs, Social Workers and the local NHS colleagues she works with daily in her current role as Home Manager at Greenways Court.
Kinga has gone on to win at the National Great British Care Awards 2022 in ‘The Care Home Registered Manager Award’ Category.
Agnes Tonk, Home Manager at Oaklands, Laindon has progressed to Registered Manager having originally started her career as a literature and grammar teacher. Agnes has had a range of roles in HC-One as her career progressed in care, including Senior Care Assistant, Nursing Assistant, Night Manager and now Home Manager.
Agnes decided to make the career move because she wanted to put her naturally caring nature to making a positive impact on the lives of older people. She has always held the motto ‘love never gives up’, and this is on her HC-One name badge to show to Residents and Colleagues that kindness and love can overcome any challenges or difficult situations.
Despite all her many professional achievements and fantastic career trajectory, and the fact that she speaks five languages, Agnes lists her biggest achievement as seeing her children grow into caring and loving young women.
Agnes Tonk, Home Manager at Oaklands commented:
“I really believe that when different people with different competencies and backgrounds put their knowledge together, we can achieve greatness. I’m committed to continuous learning and development, and so I was really proud to win the ‘Recognition in Care’ Award at our recent Better Together conference. I am so lucky to work with so many amazing people and have been really inspired throughout my career by my Area Director, Felicity Motcho, who has constantly supported me.”