Who Are Caring For Care?

Hi I’m Dana,

I’m originally from Yorkshire. I have worked in healthcare since I was 18. I qualified as a nurse in 1994 and I have worked in various roles since then, including; general medicine; infectious diseases and education.  I have been a clinical trainer since 2015 alongside my usual job. Outside of work I absolutely LOVE cats!! I’ve got 4 of my own and feed 10 strays.

Favourite film: can’t choose between Demolition Man and Face/Off!

Favourite music artist: Stormzy

Hobbies: read lots of crime thrillers, I’m a vegan and I do taebo

Hello, my name is Martin!

My experience as a nurse is broad and specialist as a clinician and in management.

Mainly in acute emergency care, but includes Specialist Practice in District Nursing, Phase I – First in Humans Clinical Research, as a Specialist Paediatric Consultant Nurse in Specialist Educational Needs Schools, and as a Clinical Nurse Advisor with London Ambulance Service.

I also run a successful private practice as a Cognitive Hypnotherapist providing therapy and coaching internationally for people who want to change.

My Qualifications include: RGN, SPDN, DipHENS, DipCHyp, HPD, BSc (Hons), MTh, MNLP.

As a professional Nurse and Therapist, I hold current registration with the: Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Complimentary and Natural Health Council – both registers are government approved and overseen by the Professional Standards Agency. I also hold current registration with the National Council for Hypnotherapy and the Quest Cognitive Hypnotherapist Practitioners Association.

As I undertake contract and consultancy work in most areas of health and social care, I teach a number of clinical courses for Caring for Care. These can be in hospitals, residential care or nursing homes, specialist rehabilitation units, or for individual clients with specific or complex needs.

If you asked me what my favourite course is, it would be the Care Home Assistant Practitioners course. With a 100% pass rate to date, I love watching practitioners grow in confidence, skills and self-awareness. More importantly I love knowing they make such a difference in improving care within the areas in which they work.

Favourite film: It has to be Lord of the Rings

Favourite Music: Cat Stevens and Blondie

Hobby: Japanese Karate-do, drinking whisky and eating great food

Hi I’m Kevin,

I Have been a Health & Social Care trainer now for 13 years; Focusing mainly on the Mandatory Training side and  looking to Champion Mental Health First Aid training. I have a NEBOSH Qualification.

Favourite film: A Few Good Men’.

Favourite Music: most genres but have been a devoted Marillion fan since 1983.

Hobby: ‘Van Life’, cycling and Whisky (As a hobby!)

Hi I’m Claire

I’m from sunny Devon, a children’s nurse, clinical educator, first aid trainer, student nutritional therapist and NLP coach. I love to learn and share my learning with others. I have worked with children since graduating from Cardiff University in 2005.

I’ve worked in hospital settings including PICU, and community settings including managing care packages for children with complex needs. In my last role as a clinical educator, I went back to uni to gain a PGCert in Healthcare Leadership and a PGCert in Clinical education. My specialist areas are paediatric care including tracheostomy, ventilation, first aid and caring for the child with complex needs. I’ve written an article on BLS for the individual with an altered body shape that was published in Nursing Children and Young People last year. I believe this is a topic that needs to be talked about more as we see more people living with complex needs. Since leaving the NHS in 2019 I’ve gone back to university to undertake an MSc in Personalised Nutrition to become a nutritional therapist, as I’ve seen how having a good diet impacts health and wellbeing and I want to help others in learning that too. Working with Caring for Care allows me to teach the clinical skills I enjoy and still study.

Favourite film: I love musicals and you’ll see me singing along!

Favourite music artist: this is a difficult one for me as I enjoy listening to different types of music! A couple of my favourite experiences were seeing Lauren Daigle in concert in Paris and the last concert Adele did at Wembley.

Hobbies: I enjoy sewing, baking, time with the husband, and training for triathlons.

Hi, I’m Georgina,

I’m the Social Media Apprentice within the team. I create the content posted on each platform. I graduated from University with a 2.1 degree in Digital Film Production, from there I decided to move into Digital Marketing and Social Media

Favourite film: The Sci-Fi film Paul, with my favourite TV shows being Stranger Things and The Mandalorian (at the moment!)

Favourite Music: My favourite artist is The 1975 attending as many concerts as possible!

Hobby: Making Cosplays, (Detailed costumes from Film and TV programmes) and attending Comic-Con Conventions.

Hi I’m Rich,

I began working with Caring for Care in 2019 having worked with and supported businesses in the Care Sector for 10 years previously. With a strong background in business development and sales, My role within the business focuses predominantly on building and developing long term relationships with new and existing customers.

Favourite film: The Town

Favourite music: House Music

Hobby: Anything weightlifting orientated!

Hi I’m Elspeth

I’m a nurse, a healthcare coach and have been a clinical and corporate trainer for 20 years, working with patients and healthcare professionals, sales people and managers.

I recently gained the Award in Education and Training qualification and I have a Masters in Health Education and Health Promotion.

With Caring for Care I am a clinical trainer, helping nurses and support workers who love to learn how to improve their knowledge and skills so they can enjoy their work more.

Favourite film: ones that leaving you thinking ‘what if…?’

Favourite Music: I like all types of music

Hobby: sewing, running, walking, or looking after her elderly mum.

Hi I’m Chris,

I was a member of the Emergency Services for over 32 years, starting off in the Liverpool City Ambulance before joining the Police in Liverpool.

A training sergeant for a number of years, I trained many officers in first aid. Later serving 20 years in the Armed Forces Reserves, (T.A. and then RAF) training many reservist soldiers in first aid, as well as learning many health and safety related skills, including fire safety.

I was Medically discharged following injury in service. Nowadays I teach my acquired skills and have recently qualified as a Mental Health First Aid instructor, drawing on the experiences gained over many years.

Favourite film:

Favourite Music:

Hobby: DIY, driving, and cooking

Hi I’m Denyse

Born In Shropshire – made in the British Army.

I’ve had a long career as a medic. I’ve been Working for a premier Nursing Agency for the last 14 years , When I’m not working for caring for care you’ll find me working there. I’ve been Presenting courses for Caring for Care for the last 5 years.

Favourite film: Mickey Blue Eyes

Favourite Music: Metal, R&B Indie

Hobby: Water sports paddle boarding

Hi I’m Kamal,

I have been a medical doctor since 1989 and migrated to UK in 2006 and qualified as a doctor in Public Health holding MSc Public Health.

I am currently working as a clinical lecturer, CQC MOCK inspector and Medication auditor.  I am an associated member of Positive Psychology guild UK and a member of Toaster master international and a mindfulness practitioner and teacher and international mindfulness speaker as well.

Qualifications held:

MD (Doctor of medicine)

MSC Public Health

PTLLS (teaching qualifications)

IFL

A 1 Award in Health and Social Care

NVQ Assessor

Favourite film: I like to watch movies on Netflix mainly about adventures and horror

Favourite Music: I like classical music and certain artists who sing in my mother tongue.

Hobby: conducting mindfulness meditation and listening to music

Hi i’m Tracy

I am the stokie mandatory Trainer for Caring for Care. I’m a wife & Mummy to 5 fur babies (Tia,Willow,Milly,Marni & Paisley. Mum of 2 Daughters (Emma & Becky)and Nana to three beautiful Grandaughters & one Grandson(Ella-Grace,Ava,Charlotte & James).

I started working in the care industry in 1988 after 2 years at college studying an introduction to nursing & preliminary certificate in social care. After leaving college I worked in a secure setting for older people with Dementia & mental health issues. Over the years I developed my skills and knowledge and worked in learning disabilities and mental health which I am very passionate about. During my career I have been senior care,progressing to Management in both Domicilary care and residential care. My biggest challenge was working in forensic secure units with challenging behaviour for many years. After moving to work in a college for young people with learning disabilities & challenging behaviour I was given the opportunity to complete preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector (PTLLS) I then completed Diploma in teaching (DTLLS) for two years which bought me to training. I am very passionate and have a particular interest both personally & professionally in Autism,Epilepsy,challenging behaviour and mental health. Throughout my 33 years in the industry I have achieved D32/33 & 34 and to many other qualifications to list in care.

Favourite film: My favourite film is pretty woman

Favourite Music: favourite artist is Pink.

Hobby: are holidays in Dufton in Cumbria where we go out walking with our dogs and enjoy a meal and drinks at the local pub. I am also part of the management team of a shooting club in the peak district and spending time with my Grandchildren, family & friends

Hi I’m Twenty,

I’m a Hungarian wire haired viszla and my favourite things are running really fast, chewing things (I love carrots!) and making the office a mess.

Hobby: Making the office a mess and making smells

Hi I’m Sam,

I’m a Labradoodle, I’m 12 years old and currently my favourite things to are saying hello people who come to visit for training. You might find me sleeping in the training room when you come to visit.

Hobby: Sleeping

Hi I’m Rob

I’m the MD here at Caring For Care.

I have quite a varied career starting at Focus DIY as a category assistant and finished in a junior buying role working in the gardening and seasonal categories. When Focus went into in administration I moved to Peterborough and entered into a marketing role for a company called Garden Bargains running off the page advertising. Not long after company was taken over by Ideal World and I moved into a digital marketing role managing the businesses GoogleAds account. After a combination of performance and some structure changes I was promoted numerous times and became responsible for managing the Ideal World website alongside four other websites with a combined turnover of around £65m. I then moved back up north into a similar role before my wife, Jenna, started Caring For Care and I moved over to support on the sales, marketing and operations functions.

My previous roles have given me expose to a wide range of business functions which has set me in good stead for running our own business.

Away from work I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in which I currently hold a brown belt and have been training for around 8 years and have travelled around the world competing in tournaments

Favourite film: The 5th Element

Favourite music: House & techno

Hobby: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Hi I’m Sarah,

I’m a health and social care trainer delivering mandatory training to health care settings, you might say I’ve dedicated a large part of my life to health and social care. Starting at 18 looking after individuals in their own homes. I have worked in supported living and scope house assisting individuals with PMLD, I’ve also worked with spinal injury patients through rehabilitation, Individuals with dementia and supported district Nurses with pressure care and wound dressing. I’ve also supported individuals with drugs and alcohol rehabilitation, Working with probation officers and welfare officers.

I completed my NVQ levels 2 and 3, My A1 assessor and V1 internal verifiers awards. I went to work for west Cheshire college as an assessor and completed a teaching award to tutor in health and social care. I also worked with the safeguarding team.

Favourite film: Favourite film there is a million! I love muppets Christmas Carol 😂 and death proof.

Favourite music: Favourite band Levellers, Mississippi riot and songs with words

Hobbies: When I am not working, I love to snow board, wake board and camp! Huge fan of VW’s! I love live music.

Hi I’m Louis

In 2019 I completed a business management degree. Since then, I’ve taken on a range of different roles from sales to admin. I have recently joined Caring for Care as a customer assistant, helping with enquiries and taking open course bookings. Occasionally found editing the website or singing along to frozen.

Favourite film: Shutter Island

Favourite music: Dave

Hobbies: In my spare time I enjoy gaming and walking.

Hi I’m Emma

I have completed a Sport and Exercise Science Degree, a Level 2 in Counselling Skills, a Level 2 in Nutrition and a Level 2 in Team Leading. I have worked in the wedding industry since I was 15 years old from being a young waitress to being promoted to a wedding coordinator. As you can see, I have absolutely no clue what career path I should take, but what I do know is that I love customer service and my position here at Caring for Care and therefore it is a pleasure for me to help Care Home/Nurse Managers with their training requirements and building strong relationships with our lovely customers.

Favourite film: Me before you

Favourite music: Maddie & Tae

Hobby: Netball

Hi I’m Nicky,

I went straight into work via a YTS after leaving school, with the usual exams, a YTS should run for 12 months before being considered for a contract, however I received a full contract within 6 months.  I went to night school to complete my typing exams, RSA 1 & 2.  Throughout my career I have worked for a variety of employers ranging from the NHS to communication/manufacturing companies.

During my career at my last employer the Douglas Macmillan Hospice I passed my Level 3 Diploma in Business and Administration, NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading and was an Excellence Champion for Investors In Excellence.  I joined Caring for Care after being made redundant and I can honestly say it’s the best decision I made to join the team.

Favourite film:  I don’t watch a lot of films, but love the up-to-date James Bond, Love Actually, The Holiday.

Favourite music:   Varied tastes, seen lots of live performances, from Prince, Eminem, U2, Pink.  I’d say anything that gets me up to dance.

Hobbies: Gym and when allowed travelling.

Hi I’m Abbey,

I am the administrator at Caring for Care. My role includes tasks such as preparing paperwork for the courses we have booked in. I also create certificates for delegates who have completed courses.

I have recently completed a Level 2 Business Admin apprenticeship; this has taught me a lot about the business environment and helped within my role as it has allowed me to be more efficient. I will be studying Level 3 customer service next. In college I studied Travel and Tourism.

Favourite film: The Lion King

Favourite music: One Direction

Hobbies: In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, I also like to play Animal Crossing or the Sims.

Hi I’m Jenna,

RGN , RMN

Nurse Passion: Working with the elderly and supporting them through end-of-life care. I am not patient facing, but when I was, I loved holding hands and listening to stories that residents would tell me. I am also a lifelong learner and the topics I enjoy the most that have impacted my career have been communication and management.

Favourite film: Die hard.

Favourite music: Anything I can sing badly too and that makes me smiley.

Hobby: Writing to do lists for Rob Platt – I do it like it’s my job!

Hi, I’m Caron,

I’m a RN with 30 years community nursing experience including palliative care specialist nurse and student nurse mentor. Lately I integrated my skills to become a Clinical skills trainer. In my spare time I volunteer as a Community First Responder responding to 999 calls in my local community.

Favourite film: is a very difficult as I like so many but the one I can watch over again is Avatar

Favourite music: again, very difficult as I have a very eclectic taste probably Freddie Mercury/Queen

Hobbies: Hockey Right defence, Jogging, long walks, grandchildren, knitting etc

Hi. I’m John Starr,

I’ve worked in and around the NHS since 1973. During that time, I qualified and worked as a General Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse and District Nurse.

I worked in many disciplines along the way……ENT, Orthopaedics, Medicine, Urology, Surgery, Theatre, Elderly Care, Paediatrics to name just a few.

I’ve maintained my NMC registration whilst also pursuing a career in Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Sales and Management. From rookie Sales Representative to UK Sales Manager via Training and Continuing Care Case Management. Work has been kind enough to have taken me around Europe, North America and the Middle East.

I now have my own Clinical Education Consultancy which provides training services and operating theatre surgeon and staff support to multinational companies.

People sometime ask me when I started training. Well, I was 9 or 10 years old when I joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade and began teaching the junior cadets when I was in my teens. I was appointed as Superintendent of the SJAB, Brighouse and Rastrick Division, eventually becoming the Chief Nursing Officer for the whole of Calderdale. Thinking about it, I’ve been teaching and training people virtually all my life.

Favourite film: depends what mood I’m in.

Favourite music: all depends on my mood. Think I’ve seen over 500 artists / groups over the years, every Reading Festival (used to be called Jazz, Blues and Rock Festival) between 1970 – 1980.

But there’s one standout guy……………………..SRV.

Hobbies: Away from work I enjoy walking in the wilds of Yorkshire, geocaching along the way (google it!). My wife Lynda and I enjoy the cinema, theatre, concerts and gardening when time permits. And then there’s our grandson George who’ll will take care of any spare time that’s left over.”

Hi, I’m Julie.

I’ve been working with Caring for Care as an associate clinical trainer since October 2020 although I have over 10 years’ experience working as a trainer.

I qualified as a RN in 1995 and have worked in multiple settings including acute surgery, acute medicine, in the community and in residential and nursing homes.

I spent over 13 years working in the medical sales industry where I developed my passion for training and people development, and where I gained my Advanced Certificate in Learning and Development (CIPD) and my British Institute for Learning and Development (BILD) Diploma in Learning and Development. I love to learn so as part of my own continuing development I am currently studying for a BSc (Hons) with the Open University.

I’m passionate about ensuring all caring professionals are supported with their ongoing development, and that they receive the necessary support and education to provide the best possible care they can.

Favourite film: there are so many to choose from but for me you can’t beat a rip-roaring, cheese-tastic, lung-busting musical something like the wizard of Oz, Moulin Rouge, West Side Story (the original 1961 one) or Bugsy Malone!

Favourite music: well, I do love the “matchstick figures” of Lowry.

Hobbies: well, I love eating cheese! So, I need to do plenty of running and yoga so I can keep up the cheese eating!

Steven

Ian