Jackie is new manager at The Old Vicarage care home

Healthcare Homes is delighted to announce the arrival of new manager Jackie Leyland to The Old Vicarage care home in Leigh, Dorset.

Jackie, who started working at The Old Vicarage in May, said, “I loved The Old Vicarage as soon as I visited – there are fabulous gardens and the team have been really welcoming, as they are to everyone who walks through the door. The residents and their families are wonderful and it has been a happy start to my time here.

“We had a fantastic time celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend and are reinforcing our links with the Leigh community – we are the only care home in the village  and very proud to be a part of the local community.”

After 40 years of nursing in her native South Africa Jackie and her husband, an anaesthetist, decided to emigrate to the UK three years ago. Jackie started nursing at 16 and worked in hospitals and theatres then ran a bed and breakfast for a couple of years before leaving South Africa. In the UK she has worked in both community care and care homes.

Jackie is enjoying getting to know everyone at The Old Vicarage and parent company Healthcare Homes and is looking forward to welcoming family and friends of the home to spend more time with the residents over the summer months, outside in the glorious grounds.

“We are organising an event for July with live music and entertainment – Glastonbury comes to the Old Vicarage. We will just have our fingers crossed for the good weather,” she said.

Outside of work Jackie likes to keep up with her family and has four siblings and her parents in South Africa, as well as two sons and two stepchildren. She also enjoys visiting the theatre, walking and eating out.

“We are lucky to be in such a beautiful area of the country, part of a conservation area and lots of wonderful walks. We have been enjoying exploring the local area,” she said.

The Old Vicarage, in Leigh, is part of the Healthcare Homes family of 48 homes and 11 homecare branches in the east and south of England. It is rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission and has a 9.8 out of 10 score on independent review website carehome.co.uk

Founded by one of the local villagers The Old Vicarage has been running for almost 40 years and has a lot of long-standing staff who are dedicated to ensuring residents get the very best care. The home has won more a number of national and regional awards over the last few years for its commitment to care of the elderly.

For more information see our website healthcarehomes.co.uk

Pip Rich