Fabulous Flatbreads

Five Minutes With:

Emma Wilson of Bickerton House Care Home

Jacqui Priestley, owner and editor spends 5 minutes with Emma Wilson – Deputy Manager at Bickerton House care home, in Bracknell.

WL: What attracted you initially to the care profession, and specifically why Care UK at Bickerton House? EW: I have worked in care since I was 16. I started my career in a care home and then moved on to different care settings, including hospitals and acute medical wards. I felt the time was right to return to a care home and Bickerton House was a brand-new, purpose-built care home opening nearby. I was also keen to work for Care UK at it has a great reputation and so I applied as a team leader.

WL: What’s the best part of your day? EW: The best time of the day is whenever I get to chat to residents. I love being out on the floor, interacting and talking to residents. The residents are why we are at work and spending quality time

with them and seeing them enjoy themselves gives a lovely, fulfilled feeling.

WL: What do residents enjoy most about Christmas? EW: Residents love the excitement and fun filled activities during the festive period. They enjoy Christmas carols and love it when the local primary schools come in to visit. This year we are hoping to organise an outdoor choir concert and have Wooden Hill Primary School visit to perform their nativity for the residents. The families that can come in and spend time with their loved ones also adds to the excitement. Our professional chefs prepare a variety of delicious festive foods and drinks, which helps to get everyone in the festive spirit.

WL: It is known that you have talented chefs at Bickerton House. What’s on the menu for Christmas Day lunch? EW: All the traditional festive food! We have turkey and cranberry sauce, vegetables, pigs in blankets and a range of lovely fresh vegetables. We have Christmas pudding and a tipple of everyone’s favorite drinks. We also offer a variety of different foods to ensure there is something to suit everyone’s preferences.

WL: Do you all have a cheeky tipple after all the festivities, a glass of sherry perhaps? EW: Of course, our residents love a tipple, many enjoy a Baileys or sherry. We will have a vino wine with lunch and the gentlemen may have a beer!

WL: What do enjoy the most about your job? EW: Making a difference for the residents. Ensuring their quality of life is of a high standard and they can continue to live a happy and fulfilled life here at Bickerton House.

WL: Would you recommend working in care to other people? EW: I started as a care assistant and worked up to where I am today as deputy manager of Bickerton House. If you are passionate and caring, then care is the place for you. Feeling like you have made a difference to someone’s day or week is a wonderful feeling and is something I feel very lucky to be able to do.

WL: What’s your ambition for the future? EW: My ambition is to continue my career in care and to always keep residents the top priority. I’m very proud of our achievements at Bickerton House, including the ‘Best New Care Home’ award at the 2021 Care Home Awards, and gaining a 10 out of 10 score on Carehome.co.uk, the UK’s leading independent care home review site. I hope to continue to provide the very best care.

WL: Lastly, what do you do to relax when you are not working? EW: I love watching a Netflix series or taking my dog Kobi out for his walks and being in the fresh air.