Leading care home provider, Oakland Care, has celebrated the milestone 10-year anniversary of its People Development Partner, Michelle Walker.
Operating as part of the Head Office team, Michelle plays a crucial role within the business with a responsibility for helping to support and shape the training and personal development of team members spanning across Oakland Care’s 10 care homes in the South East and London.
Whilst first joining as a Night Care Assistant, following this point Michelle was given the opportunity to transition into a role more centred on supporting the progression of colleagues.
This move has not only allowed Michelle to thrive in her personal career – achieving promotions to more senior positions over the years – but hugely benefitted the business as well which has been able to sustain its high standards for professional development and support as it has continued to grow as a care home provider.
Oakland Care operates with a philosophy that is based on the values of Live, Love and Be Loved. This guides the businesses approach to both residents and team members, to treat them as the individuals they are and to do everything to nurture and celebrate them.
Part of the strategy for achieving this is investment in their teams through a sustained universal commitment to internal growth and support which promotes great career and development opportunities which allow team members to achieve their potential, in an open and inclusive environment.
As a member of the Head Office team, Michelle has helped champion this philosophy and strategy and contributed to the creation of positive and productive work environments for Oakland Care’s teams. This has included at the very start of a new care homes journey, where she has helped to get to know the team and help them to build their friendships with each other before the care home has even welcomed its first resident.
To celebrate her years of service and remarkable achievement, Michelle was rewarded with additional time off from Oakland Care, which she has enjoyed with her family.
Reflecting on her journey, Michelle Walker, said:
“I’m extremely proud of the journey I have been on with Oakland Care. There are so many things I love about this job, from the residents who I have the pleasure of spending time with, to the teams who are happy in their jobs and work incredibly hard every single day.
“To operate an excellent and outstanding care home requires everybody – from the front-line care teams, through to catering, and maintenance – to be happy, motivated, and pushing in the same direction. I’m proud to help play my part in creating an environment that allows us to achieve this across our homes.”
Speaking about Michelle, Joanne Balmer BEM, Chief Executive Officer at Oakland Care, said:
“Congratulations on your achievement, Michelle. Over the last 10 years you have grown to be an invaluable part of the Oakland Care family who has proudly championed our philosophy through your work as People Development Partner.
“You have been an important reason behind the success of our industry-leading approach as an employer that is committed to internal growth and support and why year on year we continue to
thrive as a care home provider. Across Oakland Care we are all incredibly grateful for the work you have done over the last decade.”
