Michele Valimaa has been promoted to the new position of General Manager at the charitable society having been the Registered Home Manager at Nicholas House, one of the two homes in the group, for 5 years, and a member of the team for more than 12 years.
Michele originally joined Abbeyfield Maidenhead at Nicholas House as a part-time weekend career and progressed through the Society becoming a nighttime carer. Latterly she became the Deputy Manager and finally Registered Home Manager.
Michele said: “The Society is a great place to be, with established central teams and so many people to call on for support, so I’m delighted to be given this new position.”
“This wealth of support and experience to call on leaves me free to concentrate on running the Society, nurture positivity at both Winton House and Nicholas House and focus on providing the best care for our residents.”
“The training for our teams within the care home is thorough, and employees have many opportunities to progress, learn new skills or take on responsibilities, I’m clearly proof of the opportunities available to everyone.”
Michele reflects on what motivates her: “I go to work to care for vulnerable people. It’s important that we create a safe environment for them in the place they call home and focus on giving residents a quality experience each day. I enjoy helping residents to live fulfilling lives. Finding out what makes each individual shine takes time and patience, and I enjoy sitting with them to chat, find out about their likes and dislikes and observe their body language.”
As a people manager, Michele focuses on being upbeat and positive with team members. This includes explaining decisions, inviting input from the team, and understanding their concerns. She said: “Both Winton House and Nicholas House are our residents’ homes, and I want it to be a happy environment. When the staff are happy, the home is a happy one.”
Before having her children, Michele had worked in home care. Having taken a break to look after her children she decided to return to work, and Nicholas House was where her career in care really started.
Michele has always had a passion for the older generation and respect for them. She said “I find working with older people very rewarding, I love spending time with them, not one day is the same.”
Michele said: “I’m so pleased to work for Abbeyfield Maidenhead, we have a great team, plenty of support and resources available from the Society and a very engaged community. We focus on providing what our residents want and need without questioning it. Our activities programme is second to none with lots of trips out, in-house entertainment and craft sessions; its one of the things that make our homes unique in the area”.
She continued “This year we plan to host even more events and visitors, and invite the community to enjoy our safe, vibrant, and well-run homes through our intergenerational projects.”
Abbeyfield Maidenhead Society provides residential care on a permanent or respite basis at two homes, Winton House in Windsor and Nicholas House in Burnham. If you are looking for a care home and want to find out more about our homes book a tour today.