Philippa and I acquired Abbeywood House as a vacant Victorian villa, formerly a children’s home in 1982 with the purpose to convert and adapt it to become a residential care home for older people. Abbeywood house was registered and opened as a care home in July 1983 and registered for 11 residents. Since then we have continued to improve and develop the home to its current registration for 33 service users, always retaining a homely feel for our residents to enjoy and welcome their friends and family to spend time with them

I have always been a people person and started my career in care when I was 35 working for a Domiciliary care agency covering a large area in Hemel Hempstead and found my new passion, especially with helping those diagnosed with a Dementia, which helped me immensely when my dad was diagnosed. I moved back to Torquay 11 years ago when my dad had his heart attack and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I worked in a care home in Newton Abbot for a couple of years and started at Abbeywood house 9 years ago where I worked my way from carer to senior and now deputy manager. My Dad also came to reside at Abbeywood house when his Alzheimer’s progressed and he could no longer stay at home. I was very lucky to be able to spend quality time with him daily, and would not have wished for him to be anywhere else.

I have worked at Abbeywood house for 10 years as the Head Chef. I love to chat to our lovely residents and their families and get to know their food likes and dislikes. Cooking the food they love is the most rewarding part of being their chef.

Hello, I’m Maxine. I’m a mum of two boys and also a nan to a lovely grandson. I was born and bred in Devon, but have been fortunate enough to have lived abroad, including the Caribbean! I qualified as an early years teacher when my children were young, and then went on to become an estate manager for a wonderful family who I stayed with for 15 years. It was this experience which then led me to realise that I wanted to help and support others, so I decided to work in the care profession and have never looked back. My career history involves supporting adults with mental health and learning difficulties, and through completing my NVQs all the way up to level 5, I have now been a Registered Care home Manager for 7 years. I’ve been with Abbeywood House for over a year, and I really believe this is where I belong. It’s a lovely care home that is, and has been, working hard to ensure the residents that we support live their best lives, in a caring environment with qualified well-educated staff. We pride ourselves on being warm, friendly and a home away from home, encouraging and supporting families to visit and join in with our daily activities, be that dancing to the bands, joining in with the quizzes taking part in baking home cooked cakes, or sitting with loved ones and making friends with other visitors and residents.

I started working in the care industry nine years ago being encouraged to join a team working with adults with learning disability and mental health conditions. After nine years of challenges, personal development and immense satisfaction and pride of helping so many people, I am sure I took the right decision for my career. Working at Abbeywood House with older adults living with dementia represents a new challenge on my personal and professional development which I have embraced without hesitation. I am sure it will bring me and the people I help joy and satisfaction.