On the 27th October 1992, Heidi Crompton joined the team at Bradshaw Manor Care Home in Rhil, Denbigshire. 25 years later, Heidi looks back at her long career at Barchester; from a nursing role at the start of her career to General Manager and now as a Regional Director overseeing 11 homes.
Heidi recalls her previous roles in care before Barchester: “I had been working as a General Manager in elderly care for a few years before I came to Bradshaw Manor, but I was having doubts about whether I wanted to stay in nursing. I was working in a much smaller family care home – it was lovely and gave me a great introduction to elderly care, but it had its benefits and drawbacks. For example, there was nowhere to progress and when legislation required changes there was little funding available to implement them.”
When Heidi took a job at Barchester, she immediately felt the benefits and her passion for care was reignited: “When I got to Bradshaw Manor, I realised that care was definitely still what I wanted to do. So when the manager left, I was delighted to step up.”
“Working in a larger organisation has many benefits, especially the wealth of support you can call upon. For example, we have all the clinical and managerial help we need through the Learning and Development Team, we also have plenty of support for any legislative changes. However, one of the main sources of support are the people, both in the home and from my managers. I’ve been given so much good advice and have learned a lot over the years. At Barchester, if you have the drive and potential, you can go far.”
As the years go on, what Heidi likes most about her job has never changed: “My favourite part is still the residents; they’re why we all do what we do. I even came into the home on my wedding day so the residents could see me in my wedding dress – it was lovely to share my day with everyone in the home. The residents who were able to come to the church got their families bring them along; I was so emotional when I saw them all. It was such a special day and I was so pleased they were part of it.”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 25 years working in Bradshaw Manor. It has been my pleasure to look after all the residents in our care. As Regional Director, I now have the opportunity to help the other homes in my area offer the great quality of care that Barchester provides.”
