Home > July Newsletter from the H&L Estate
Whilst its been a bit of a wet July, we've still managed to get out and about and always enjoy an afternoon of music at Huntington House
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Hi, my name is Anita Usherwood and I’m a registered nurse and the Clinical lead for the Huntington and Langham Estate. I have worked in a variety of different care settings since leaving school (which was a few years ago now), as well as in schools, disabilities, accident emergency and surgical assessments. I have always been fond of the older generation, and was very close to my grandparents growing up. Langham Court is truly where my heart lies. I have a very positive approach, always finding ways to overcome challenges for both our staff and, of course, our residents, and building on them for a better future. I like to think I have a great sense of humour and I always like to come across as friendly, warm & funny.
When I’m not at work, I spend time with my ever-growing family of two daughters, three sons, seven grandsons and one granddaughter, and they are all the most important aspects of my personal life. I love animals and have two tortoises and two dogs, as well as having a desire to travel. I hope to see and enjoy as many countries and their cultures as I can. I also enjoy sketching, but perhaps need to work on my techniques more when I have the time.
I’m Natasha, a nurse at Huntington House. I started working in the care industry when I was still at school – actually, from the age of 15. For about 10 years I worked in care, and then progressed to do my nursing degree. I would definitely recommend working in care. It is very rewarding, and it’s nice to know that you’ve helped people – it gives you a real sense of achievement.
I’m Gayle and I’ve been a nurse for 20 years. My career started in hospitals, which continued until I joined Huntington House 3 years ago. It’s a very unique and special place, and it’s always a joy coming to work. The people that live here and the staff are all quite amazing. The atmosphere is always fun, positive, upbeat and homely. My first job was working at St Thomas’s & Guys in London on an Acute Oncology and Haematology ward. I then worked on an Infectious Diseases Ward at The Hammersmith. I gained a Diploma in Tropical Nursing, in which we learned how to diagnose malaria! It was led by Claire Bertschinger who was my inspiration, an amazing nurse who brought the world’s attention to the starvation in Ethiopia. If it wasn’t for her, there would have been no Live Aid or BBC & Bob Geldof – and, as a result, I’ve always dreamed of working in Africa.
I have 2 lovely daughters and we have a cockapoo, Mollie, who is a regular visitor to Huntington House. We also have a hamster called Popcorn! I love travelling all over the world, and in my spare time I like to swim, life-draw and meet friends.
I’m Diana, and I’m originally from Lithuania. I graduated from a nursing and midwifery college in 1991, before working as a nurse for 15 years in Lithuania. I then decided to come to England, and after I graduated from Winchester University, I started working as a nurse. I feel great pride and responsibility in being able to help those who are no longer able to help themselves in ways they wish they could. By being a nurse, I am able to help make a difference. From the moment you walk into Huntington, you are immediately hit with a friendly and homely atmosphere. This is created by the people who live here, the extremely caring and professional staff and the great sense of support we receive from our manager, Maggie.
Whilst I am always looking to keep up to date with my medical knowledge, there is nothing I love more than switching off and enjoying the fresh air and nature parks – whether that be a lovely walk, or a more gruelling cycle through the woods. I find that exercise and sport really allows me to unwind.
I’m Cherie, and I’ve been in health care since I was 17 years old – both in the community and within a hospital environment. I worked as a carer for seven years, before undertaking my nurse training. I qualified as a registered nurse back in 2012 at the University of Surrey. I then went on to work at Royal Surrey County Hospital, before starting my second job at Huntington House in late 2017. I love working at Huntington House; everyone shares the same ethos, and we are dedicated to the people that live here. Everyone is so approachable and always happy to help. I love chatting and talking with the people who live in our home; it is so amazing hearing about their past times. I feel so honoured to care for them. I live in Surrey (where I grew up), and I am married with two boys. In my spare time I’m normally with them; we love to visit farms, go on long walks or educational trips. I also enjoy playing badminton, socialising and a touch of retail therapy.
I started my career in care 14 years ago, where I registered with the NMC. In the 12 years since then, I have been working as a nurse in different environments – starting with elderly dementia care and learning disability care. Then I came to Huntington, which offers a mixture of everything – and I’ve been here three years. At Huntington, we are like one big family, and working in care is very rewarding; you get very close with the relatives and with the residents. I would definitely recommend care and nursing as a career choice, if you’re considering it – it’s a wonderful job to do!
My role as maintenance manager here at the Huntington & Langham Estate is primarily to ensure compliance with statutory health & safety requirements. This is achieved through maintaining the efficient and smooth running of the buildings and estate. Having earned my apprenticeship in Carpentry & Joinery with Laing Homes, I have a background in commercial and private estates maintenance management across various luxury based settings. I am a people person that enjoys building new relationships, and I’m always happy to have a chat. I joined in October 2020 with a keen eye for detail and a can-do attitude to making improvements. There is no job too big or too small when it comes to our residents. I appreciate that the quality of a person’s surroundings can have a positive effect on wellbeing and general mood, which I endeavour to reflect in the high-end quality of our team’s workmanship within the estate.
Outside of work, I’m a family man with two daughters and a baby boy on the way with my wife, Kate. When I get the opportunity, my favourite pastime is having a quiet day with a spot of fishing. I also enjoy watching Formula 1 racing and going on country walks with my springer spaniel, Bobby.
As team leader, it’s my job to manage the staff and the day-to-day running of the floor. I also ensure all staff members are completing their tasks to the required standard, whilst delivering the best care and safety practices for all those who live with us. The friendly staff at the estate make it a really enjoyable place to work, and it’s a great feeling when we form relationships and connections with our lovely residents. It’s really rewarding to know that I’m making positive differences to the lives of our residents.
I’ve been working with the Huntington team for 6 and a half years now, which also spans the time before Langham Court opened. I was initially employed to work at Langham, but started at Huntington House for three months. On an average day at the estate, I spend a lot of time speaking to the relatives of our residents, answering their questions and having reassuring conversations. My role also involves ensuring residents are as happy as possible and well looked after, with an eye kept on them at all times. I love talking and spending time with the residents, knowing that I’m helping to improve their lives in so many ways.
Hello, my name is Christine and I am one of the receptionists at Huntington House. I have been part of the Huntington and Langham family for 18 years now, and I started my journey here as a healthcare assistant. I simply love being able to make a difference in the lives of all our residents who appreciate the individual support I can offer them. Huntington House is unique in many ways, and I am proud of being part of the Hoare family who are so focused on the well-being of all our residents. I loved the way Mal, the owner, took so much time to get to know me at my interview, which was the deciding factor for me wanting to be part of Huntington House – as we obviously shared the same love and passion.
Huntington House has become a second family to me when I’m not enjoying my own family life or gardening, and I always try to help in any way that I can. If ever you need anything and you’re not sure how to go about it, do come by and say hello – I’ll be more than happy to help.
Hi, I’m Amanda and I’ve been working at Langham Court for over three years as a receptionist. I am married to my husband Tony, and we have six grown up girls and ten grandchildren between us. When I’m at home, I love to spend time with my family, cycling, going kayaking, reading and walking with the family. I started my career in care in 2001 as a housekeeper, and worked my way up to being deputy manager. Care to me is a vocation, not a job, and I feel very privileged to be a part of it. Due to a change in circumstances, I wanted to stay in care and decided to take up my post as the Langham Court receptionist and administrator, which is where I started after leaving school. I still wanted to work within the care sector as it has meant so much to me over the years.
Having been lucky enough to get my position as the receptionist here, I have enjoyed every minute. I love the way we are all one big family, looking after those who live here and working together towards a common aim. Langham Court is so unique; we usually see families of squirrels playing in the trees, foxes and their cubs scouting in and out of the bushes in springtime, and even numerous deer with their young come trotting up the drive. Nature is at it’s best here, and it’s lovely to be able to share it with those who live with us.
It was brilliant growing up here at Huntington House, and I most certainly share my parents’ passion of wanting to help everyone in our care and make their lives as happy, healthy and stimulating as possible. Huntington House and Langham Court have fantastic reputations that we have worked very hard to achieve. I couldn’t be prouder of this, and hope that we can keep providing such fantastic care to the people living here for many years to come.
I love how we’re a big family here at the Huntington & Langham Estate, with my parents, brother, husband and children all here, and our extended family of staff and residents – it really makes this place special. I’m so proud of what my parents have achieved over the past 40 years, providing such high-quality care to this area over an incredibly long period. With Langham Court offering specialist dementia care and Huntington House still offering first-rate residential and nursing care, I’m excited to see what the next 40 years shall bring for us all.
When I first met Marilyn, her passionate approach to elderly care really moved me. We married in 1984 and at this point, I became a Director here, with a mission to create the best possible environment for our residents to enjoy. From early extensions to current renovations, along with the build of Langham Court, I have made sure that the high standards everyone expects from us have always been upheld. I couldn’t be prouder of what Marilyn has achieved, creating one of the very best care homes in the county, if not the country.
I never thought that when I purchased Huntington House back in 1977 as a derelict building that I would be standing here over 40 years on, having made such a difference to many local people in their later years. It took three months to renovate the building with a lot of hard work between myself and Jimmy – my magnificent maintenance man – and I feel so privileged to still be a part of it today. It’s an absolute honour seeing how much we help so many people each and every day, which is what inspired me to start out in the first place.
I have previously worked at Barchester Healthcare as a general manager, running two of their flagship homes both in Kent. Having enjoyed a successful career with them, I was commissioned to oversee the building and opening of a large brand new care home for Hallmark Care Homes in Lightwater, which was challenging, but rewarding. I then went on to run two large care homes for other providers, as well as being an operations director for a family run group of care homes in south London, much like the Huntington and Langham Estate.
If you see me passing in the corridor, do say hello. It would be lovely to chat and find out more about you and your loved ones, and how I can help to ensure your time with us at the Huntington and Langham Estate is a memorable one.
Hi, my name is Maggie and I’ve been the registered manager at Huntington House since 2019. I have worked at the estate for over six years, and was previously the deputy manager at Langham Court. I have worked in the care sector for over 30 years, and Huntington House is now my second home and part of my extended family. I am passionate about the care we deliver, and consider myself privileged to have a wonderful, compassionate team working alongside me. I have two sons – one of 20 years, the other 38 – and much to their annoyance, I never like to rush things.
When I do get some spare time, I love to work in my garden and be with the variety of rescue animals I have; most of which are currently dogs and birds.
Huntington House
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