HERITAGE HEALTHCARE - Kirklees

Dawn Folan

Service Manager

Experience: Health & Social Care

About me:

I am Dawn Folan, the Service Manager at Heritage Healthcare Kirklees. My journey in the health and social care field spans over 23 years, where I've honed my skills and gained invaluable experience.

Background:

My career has been dedicated to the care industry, allowing me to accumulate extensive experience over two decades. I deeply understand this field and am passionate about delivering exceptional care. This commitment has made me a valued member of the Heritage Healthcare Kirklees team. I believe in preserving our clients' independence at home, enhancing their quality of life.

My Motivation:

I find motivation in the genuine connections I make with the people and families I interact with daily. Making a positive impact on our clients' lives, even through small gestures, brings me fulfilment. Ensuring that Heritage Healthcare Kirklees provides care that truly matters drives me.

My Focus:

As the Service Manager, my primary focus is overseeing our daily operations. This includes managing our dedicated team of carers, supporting their professional growth, and maintaining compliance with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards. My dedication to excellence and attention to detail ensure that Heritage Healthcare Kirklees consistently delivers top-tier service.

Quote: “I take pride in connecting with the people we serve and making a meaningful difference in their lives through our attention to detail.”

Hannah Lewis

Care Manager

Experience: Health & Social Care

About me:

Growing up with a mum who was a district nurse and later a registered nurse in a care home, I developed a deep passion for care from an early age. This foundation shaped my career choice, and I've dedicated myself to working with people to improve their lives. Since joining Heritage Healthcare, I've helped grow our Barnsley Office from six staff members and ten clients to a thriving team of more than 25 carers supporting over 40 clients. I am extremely proud of this achievement.

Background:

My early experiences watching my mum's dedication to nursing gave me insight into the rewarding nature of care work. After University, I began my career as a Personal Assistant for a wheelchair user before moving into supported living, where I spent over eight years working with adults with learning disabilities. I progressed from a part-time support worker to a full-time Support Leader, supervising three properties and managing a team of staff. I then worked as a Care Coordinator for a domiciliary care company for 18 months. Moving back to Barnsley to be closer to my family gave me the opportunity to bring all this experience to Heritage Healthcare, where I've been able to build something truly special.

My Motivation:

Our fantastic team of carers and wonderful clients motivate me every day. Receiving feedback from clients and their families about how much they benefit from the care they receive, and how much they appreciate their carers, brings me immeasurable joy. Encouraging new carers in their role and watching their confidence and skills develop is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that we provide care and social hours that genuinely enrich our clients' lives gives my work real purpose and meaning.

My Focus:

Handpicking our staff team and providing high-quality training ensures our carers are well equipped to support our clients. I focus on giving new carers the tools and encouragement they need to thrive in their roles. Liaising with professionals to ensure our clients' needs are fully met is a key part of my daily work. Everything I do centres on maintaining the exceptional standard of care that our clients deserve and that our team is proud to deliver.

Quote: “Working in care is definitely not always the easiest, but seeing the difference we make to the lives of our clients and their families makes it all worthwhile.”