Meet the Leeming Bar Grange Care Home Team

Hello

My name is Lesley.  I joined Leeming Bar Grange in September 2023 and became Deputy Manager in March 2024.  I have worked in care since 2002 in different care settings.

I love the job i do and bringing a smile and often laughter to our lovely residents, it makes my job worthwhile. 

Clare has worked at Leeming Bar Grange since November 2021. Clare has a wealth of experience in admin; commencing within this sector from leaving school. Clare states her favourite part about working at Leeming Bar Grange is the overall experience; from getting to know the wonderful residents, being part of a team with a great spirit, and the beautiful environment

Hi my name is Kimberley, Senior Activities Coordinator, and here at Leeming Bar our life enrichment programme is varied, providing choice for our residents and incorporating their interests and hobbies.  We all know that keeping active is important. We have created a wonderful culture within Leeming Bar, and we work together to give residents the best possible experience.

We are here to ensure that residents enjoy an environment that is both stimulating and socially active. We ensure the team knows each residents' preferences, so that we can deliver a person-centred program of events and activities. Essential to our homely feel is the strong relationships of trust we build with residents, and their families and friends.

Hi, my name is Toni and I am the Head Chef at Leeming Bar Grange and joined the team in June 2016.

Myself and my team cater for residents' individual dietary needs and ensure that our home cooked menus offer choice, nutrition and quality. All meals are freshly prepared with seasonal produce. I enjoy speaking with our residents to learn about the food they love and to gain feedback to ensure we are always delivering a high standard of food and satisfying all of our varied palates.

I joined Leeming Bar Grange as Maintenance Manager in 2014. Maintenance is paramount when it comes to our residents, relatives and colleagues, and my role is to keep the home environment to the highest standards possible, ultimately creating a place for our residents to liv and my colleagues to work. I also manage and deal with contractors, keeping records up-to-date for our audits.  

Hi, my name’s Julie and I have been working for Leeming Bar as Head Housekeeper since 2014. I enjoy working with the housekeeping team and I like talking to residents and making sure their rooms are clean and tidy. I want to help residents remain as independent as possible. I work hard to ensure that the home maintains Barchester's high standards and that we work to create a relaxed, personal atmosphere for residents, relatives and staff.

Hi, my name is Michelle and I have had the pleasure of working at Leeming Bar Grange since 2013. I have always loved being around the older generation and feel they have so much to offer, I also have family members who have lived and are living with dementia and so I joined the team as I wanted to do something close to my heart. I have always brought my own children up to say ‘hello’ and spark a conversation as there are so many lonely older people whose day it will make and now I get to be part of a team who brings that kind of happiness to people every day. Within my role I support our Business Administrator, I help our resident’s families and I enjoy meeting new people to show them around our home. I Love being part of the team here at Leeming Bar Grange and feel our residents and my colleagues are like my extended family.

My name is Debbie and i have worked at Leeming Bar Grange for 8 years.  I have worked in the Health Care Sector since 1997.

I enjoy spending time with our residents, chatting and finding out about their interests and hobbies.

I took the role as a Senior Carer in November 2023 and it was the best decision i have ever mad i love it!!

My name is Simon and I have worked for Leeming Bar Grange for over 9 Years now and joining Barchester Healthcare in January 2020.  I am mainly based in the kitchen completing food preparation and getting the washing up done. One day a week I am the host and this helps me to get to know the residents, I enjoy chatting and helping with their meals and drinks.

Hi my name is Darron and I joined Barchester healthcare in January 2020 and working at Leeming Bar grange for over 6 years. I enjoy spending time chatting with the residents and helping with whatever they need.  I  make sure our residents rooms are cleaned and tidied every day.  I  ensure that Barchester high stand is maintained throughout the home.

Hello I’m Wendy Withington, I have been a therapy dog volunteer for over 10 years.  Since 2016, I have been registered with Therapy Dogs Nationwide and I was one of the first 200 to be registered with the new charity. In 2023, I retired from 30 years of teaching in primary and special schools but now have more time to be a visiting volunteer with TDN.  In 2024, I took on the role of Area Team Lead for the charity covering North Yorkshire, Teesside and York and thoroughly enjoy this voluntary role. 

Jack has been visiting Leeming Bar Grange since 2015 years, we also visit sister home Mount Vale. Jack is a border collie and is now 12 and half years old. Jack and I competed in dog agility, hoopers and obedience.  Jack is also a trick dog champion, which we started during lockdown.  He has featured in a film call ‘Dry Stone’ which was set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales around Bainbridge and Askrigg.  He is a kind and gentle natured dog and loves his visits to care homes and also visits schools to take part in the ‘paws to read’ programme.  He has represented the charity twice at Crufts and as a team we were awarded a ‘Harriet Medal’ for our outstanding contribution to the charity.