Celebrating Care Home Managers at HC-One This International Women’s Day

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 HCOne 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 HCOne 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

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 said: 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 ”