Our latest Willowbrook Spotlight is on Vicky Yates, Extra Care Registered Manager – Willowbrook Homecare (Hyndburn).
*A bit about myself:
I am happily married with one daughter, two dogs, a cat, and a tortoise, and yes, many people say my house is like a zoo, but I would not have it any other way!
I have worked in the care sector for 19 years.
*What attracted you to the care sector?
I never actually set out to work in care. I had my daughter at a young age and then decided I wanted to go to college to study midwifery, but when I applied, the only course available to me was Health and Social Care, so I thought to myself, what the heck, I’ll give it a go!
Whilst studying, I began a placement at a local residential home, and that’s when my career journey in social care took off. Since then, I have gone on to work in Residential Care and Community Care and the last 13 years, in Housing with Care.
*What qualifications have you worked towards/gained to date?
I have achieved my level 5 Leadership & Management, and I am proud to be a Registered Manager.
In November 2022, I won The Great British Care Award for Housing with Care in the North West region, and this year I’m a finalist at the National Case Awards to be held in Birmingham!
*What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Someone once said to me; you spend 80% of your life working so choose wisely what path you want to take. I know I chose the right one.
*Tell me a fun fact about you.
I was the talk of work when my husband accidentally knocked me out with a cabbage playing catch in the kitchen whilst making Sunday dinner! The day after, I arrived at work to find posters displayed everywhere stating a cabbage was wanted for assault.
It sure brightened up everyone’s week 😊
If you’d like to feature in our next Willowbrook Spotlight On… article, please contact [email protected] or have an initial chat with your line manager.