Avon Valley Care Home Bristol

Meet Alyson, our Manager

I was born in South Wales, so some would say “that I am almost English “. I grew up with my parents and two sisters. Both parents were from large families and so I grew up surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins I stumbled into care work aged 17, while waiting to start a career in the police force, I enjoyed care so much that that is where I stayed.

In the years following that, I got married, had two children and continued to work as a carer in a hospital and then a nursing home. Aged 35 and both children in high school, I ventured into managing a large service of care in the community. Although it gave me good foundations in a manager’s role, I dearly missed the atmosphere and belonging of a care home team and so went into managing, what became very successful care home, respite and a day service. All of whom had dementia. I happily remained there until 2015, when I went to work in Somerset to manage a large new development. I was able to embed it into the community, increase its occupancy and build the reputation. It was hard work in a small area but it was a happy home for both staff and residents

Working for Avery has made a dream come true, to start with a new home. No poor practices or routines that have been inherited. BUT, to be able to develop staff into good ways of working, have staff that are there for the right reasons, build a team that are proud and respectful of what they do.

My passion comes not only from my experience and knowledge in work but from my own personal views and family, I’ve had a very personal experience of a loved one with Dementia going into care, I know the emotional turmoil, the difficulty in letting go or trusting someone else to care for that person.

All individuals should naturally have the right to choose. Why should any person have to change just to be in care?