HERITAGE HEALTHCARE - Wakefield

Dawn Folan

Service Manager

Experience: Health & Social Care

About me:

Dawn Folan is a compassionate and dedicated individual, serving as the Care Manager of Heritage Healthcare Wakefield. With over 23 years of experience in the care industry, Dawn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

Background:

Dawn has devoted her career to the care industry, accumulating invaluable experience and honing her skills over the course of 23 years. Her deep understanding of the field, combined with her passion for delivering exceptional care, has made her an invaluable asset to Heritage Healthcare Wakefield. Dawn's commitment to maintaining clients' independence at home is a testament to her unwavering dedication to improving their quality of life.

My Motivation:

Dawn's motivation stems from her genuine love for the people and families she interacts with daily. Her deep sense of fulfilment comes from making a significant difference in her clients' lives, even through the smallest gestures. Dawn finds joy and purpose in ensuring that the care provided by Heritage Healthcare Wakefield positively impacts the lives of their clients.

My Focus:

As the Care Manager, Dawn is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the service. Her primary focus is on managing the dedicated team of carers, ensuring their continuous professional development, and maintaining compliance with the rigorous standards set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Dawn's commitment to excellence and attention to detail guarantee that the service provided by Heritage Healthcare meets and exceeds industry standards.

Quote: “I love meeting the people and families we come in contact with and the small details that we do to make a huge difference to our clients' lives.”

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.”