It was the hours that first attracted Flavia Hansell to the job of housekeeper at Amberley Hall Care Home back in 2010.
“I was a single mum so the hours were ideal,” explained Flavia, who joined in May 2010 as a housekeeper before Athena Care Homes took over the site.
She would work from 8am to midday weekdays, sometimes taking on longer shifts at weekends when she had childcare covered.
Since then she has progressed through the company and now runs the residential community at the Kings Lynn home.
“It was brought to my manager’s attention that I really enjoyed talking to the residents when I was cleaning in the rooms, and I really did. I said I wanted to do more so I was encouraged to apply to become a carer, something I never would have thought of previously.”
Flavia was given induction training and later studied for her NVQ Level 2 in adult health and social care while working with Athena. She has also completed leadership courses, end-of-life training and the CHAPS scheme.
With the support of her colleagues and managers at Athena, Flavia has in more recent years passed her NVQ Levels 3 and 5.
During this time she became team leader then community lead before going on to work as a regional trainer for Athena, travelling across East Anglia to work with staff at all five of our residential and nursing homes.
When the pandemic hit, travel was restricted and she returned to base at Amberley Hall, where there was a vacancy a residential care manager.
The mum-of-two feels privileged to have been given these opportunities and to have been able to continue her career with Athena.
She said: “To have been approached by different managers and encouraged to take the next step has always felt so rewarding, it shows the management recognise the work we do.
“I am happy here, it feels like a family. The company has really invested in me and my development throughout my career in care.”
Group Operations Director Katherine Foley said: “We are proud to be able to support our colleagues as they progress in their careers and offer ongoing training and support to enable them to do this. At Athena our moto is ‘Our family caring for yours’ and while that applies to each and every one of our residents, it also applies to our team members.”
