insideKENT Magazine Issue 80 - November 2018 | Page 210

MANAGER INTERVIEW:
SHIRLEY EMILIO
AT BAYCROFT GRAYS FARM ROAD
SHIRLEY HAS BEEN HEADING UP THE TEAM AT
ORPINGTON CARE HOME, BAYCROFT GRAYS FARM
ROAD, FOR A MONTH. WE FIND OUT HOW IT’S
BEEN SO FAR AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.
How has your first month gone?
I’m loving it. I’ve walked into a home, which is very new – it’s only a
year old – but the staff have been wonderful. It just feels right and there
are so many things that can be developed here; so much potential and
a beautiful location. I really love the concept at Baycroft, the whole
elegance of the presentation and environment.
What’s your background?
I was at one of the last enrolled nurse schools years ago in Yorkshire.
I’m not actually from Yorkshire, but I feel like Yorkshire adopted me. I
went up there when I was 18 months old and did my nursing there. I
then went to Portugal, where I stayed for 25 years and was very involved
in care out there, although my husband and I also started our own
businesses too – in clothing and in skincare.
Nursing was and always has been there alongside the my other interests
though, so I came back to the UK, did my conversion and worked for
Bupa. We’ve been back here since 2012 and aside from the usual moans
about the weather, we’re very happy to be back.
How are you finding life in Orpington?
I didn’t know much about Orpington before starting at Baycroft. The
only reason I knew it was I have a friend who lives in Spain and one
of her best friends is the vet here! Small world… I’m out and about
meeting people all the time, however; I had some phone calls today
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with people in the community
whom we’re hoping to get
involved with. There are lots of
discoveries to be made. feels so inclusive and welcoming.
We have a wonderful chef here,
so there’s really room to make
that something special.
The home is positioned so nicely
– it’s very quiet but there’s also
Bromley nearby and
Chislehurst…some really beautiful
places. Another thing is to get more
involved with the school next
door. I’ve seen firsthand the
difference that bringing younger
generations into a home can do.
Bringing energy into the building
can have an amazing effect on
those with Alzheimer’s or
dementia.
Finally, what are your plans for
the future?
At the moment it’s about making
sure there’s a really consistent
approach to the home and about
finding out what residents want.
We’re having a residents’ meeting
in a couple of weeks to get some
feedback on things they like, don’t
care for, or would like more of.
We’re asking the same to families
too, to get an understanding of
what’s gone down well over the
first year.
I’d really like to develop the
restaurant/bistro side. That area
is my favourite in the home – it
For me, it’s all about culture. You
can have all the bells and whistles
you want, but it’s always about
the people working there, what
their attitude is, their kindness
and dedication to their work.
That’s the most important thing
and will be a main focus of mine.
To find out more about Baycroft
Grays Farm Road, please visit
www.baycroft.co.uk.