Meet the Chester Court Care Home Team

Hi, my name is Memory Gatsi, I am the Deputy Manager at Chester Court Care Home. I qualified as a Nurse in 2006 and I started with Barchester in 2021 as a Nurse. I was then promoted to Deputy Manager in August 2023. I enjoy working as nurse, I enjoy spending time with residents and ensuring that there needs are met in a safe and timely manner. I work hard to provide high standard care, and to support residents to maintain their independence as much as possible for as long as they can.

My name is Ann and I joined Chester Court in 2004. I love my job; it's busy but never boring! My role is to support the General Manager by maintaining administration and financial systems within the home in accordance to the company policies and procedures.

Hi, my name is Lauren and I am the Activities Coordinator here at Chester Court.  I joined the team in December 2020 and bring a wealth of enthusiasm to the role. I have just graduated from university in July 2020 and have previously completed work experience at another Barchester home. During this work experience I discovered how meaningful and important activities are for residents and how they can help enhance resident’s lives. Therefore, I decided to become an activities coordinator myself as I feel this is such a rewarding role.

I love working with our Residents here at the home and getting to know them and their families so that I can deliver and support in meaningful activities, keeping them socially stimulated and active as part of our extensive life enrichment calendar. The lifestyle and continued community links are also important.

I am the Head Chef at Chester Court Care Home and have worked at the home for 22-years, I lead the homes hospitality team and we work together in creating and developing seasonal home cooked menus that are nutritious and varied. I ensure that we know each resident and their preferences, keeping them satisfied with a diverse and delicious range of meals. All of our food is home-cooked with fresh ingredients. I love my job.

I have worked at Chester Court since 2011 and have loved every minute. I spent 15 years in the building trade before coming to Chester Court Care Home, so I have a wide range of skills that are always being used.

My job is to keep the home and grounds looking their best, making sure each room is as individual as the residents' themselves.

My name is Susan Dunn, I am the Head Housekeeper here at Chester Court. I have been in this role since August 2023, prior to moving to Chester Court I worked as a housekeeper in care homes for since 2017.

I have always worked in cleaning but I enjoy working in care homes more than previous jobs. I love chatting to the residents and also keeping their home clean and tidy. My main priority is making sure the residents home is as clean as I like my home.

G`Day folks. My name is Warwick Manders and I reside at Chester Court Care home in Bedlington Northumberland where I am one of two Resident Ambassadors, primarily looking out for all the residents on the top floor. This is my second time at Chester Court, the first was during covid but I am now permanent and thoroughly enjoy mixing, helping ,assisting and

helping new residents settle in, to what some find an alien environment. I organise a weekly written quiz for both the residents and staff with nearly 40 quiz papers being delivered on a weekly basis, which I also mark . I also produce a Monthly newsletter with both national and International news which others may have missed. All this is a far cry from back in the day where I spent nearly 30 years , culminating in the rank of Warrant Officer in the Royal Navy, including several years seconded to Special Forces.

My name is Gary and I have been a permanent resident at Chester Court since 2020 and I am one of the care home resident ambassadors. I love living here, all of the carers and staff are great and I enjoy the company.

During my time as an ambassador I have helped welcome new families, checking up with other residents on the ground floor and providing company, I have also been involved in staff interviews.

Before having a stroke in 2017 I was a financial advisor and overseas property consultant selling holiday homes in Florida.

Hello my name is Gillian and I am the Hairdresser in both Chester Court and Woodhorn Park. I have over 40 years’ experience in hairdressing. I began to work in Chester Court in 2014 and more recently in 2021 joined the team at Woodhorn Park.

My role is to provide a full range of hairdressing services to all residents whenever they wish to visit the salon. I genuinely believe that having your hair done not only makes you look better but also makes you feel better, can be incredibly relaxing and contributes to a general feeling of wellbeing. It is so important that our residents whether they are permanent or respite have access to this service and I thoroughly enjoy spending time with them.