A day in the life of a Registered Manager
At Choice Care, enabling the people we support to thrive and lead the lives they want to live, is at the centre of everything we do. Behind the scenes, this care is coordinated by dedicated professionals across the group, like our Registered Manager, Vanya from Oakley Lodge. With over 16 years of experience in the care sector, Vanya shares her journey, the highlights of her career, and what it’s like to manage Oakley Lodge.
Meet Vanya – Registered Manager at Oakley Lodge
“Hi, I’m Vanya, the Registered Manager at Oakley Lodge. I manage the care and support for 12 men and women, aged between 23 and 71, all of whom have learning disabilities and/or mental health conditions. Since 2021, I’ve been overseeing the day-to-day operations at Oakley Lodge, ensuring that our residents receive the best care possible.”
Vanya’s role is broad – her leadership ensures that both colleagues and residents thrive in a nurturing and supportive environment. From managing care plans to creating a positive atmosphere for the people we support, her passion shines through every aspect of her work.
A journey of learning and progression
Vanya’s career began in elderly care, but in 2008, she wanted to take on a new challenge. “I joined Choice Care at Stoke Lodge as a Senior Social Care Worker. I was eager to learn more about supporting adults with learning disabilities and the care and the care teams at Choice Care were much larger, enabling the support to be personalised, something that has always been incredibly important to me,” Vanya reflects.
“Over the next 13 years, I progressed through various roles, from Senior Social Care Worker to Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager, and finally, Registered Manager,” she explains. “When a position opened up at Oakley Lodge in 2021, I knew it was the next step for me. I wanted to be able to develop and learn more about supporting people with mental health conditions as well as learning disabilities.”
“Choice Care has been instrumental in my growth,” Vanya says. “When I first joined, I already had my Level 3 care qualification, but when I became a Registered Manager at Stoke Lodge in 2016, Choice Care funded my Level 5 qualification and signed me up to the Choice Care Management Development Programme, which helped me build the soft skills I needed to manage a team effectively.”
The mentorship and support from colleagues also played a key role in Vanya’s journey. “I had incredible support from my line manager and other Registered Managers across the business. The collaborative culture at Choice Care has been invaluable in helping me develop both professionally and personally.”
A Typical Day at Oakley Lodge
“I always start by saying good morning to everyone,” she says. “Then I check my emails and revisit my to-do list from the night before.”
Beyond that, no two days are the same for Vanya. “I could be supporting colleagues, writing care plans, participating in activities with residents, or attending meetings. The best part of my day is spending time with the people we support.”
Overcoming Challenges and Finding Reward
Like any role, Vanya’s job comes with its challenges. “There are always a lot of tasks to juggle, but staying organised is key. I make my to-do list the night before so that I’m ready to tackle the day,” she shares. “Leading a team also comes with challenges, but being open, honest, and approachable goes a long way in building trust.”
For Vanya, the most rewarding part of her role is seeing the positive changes in the lives of the residents. “Helping someone achieve something they thought was impossible, like going shopping for the first time or even going abroad, is incredibly fulfilling. I feel lucky to play a part in their journey.”
One story that stands out to Vanya is the wedding reenactment they organized at Stoke Lodge for a resident. “A gentleman we supported didn’t feel he could attend his sister’s wedding, so we brought the wedding to Stoke Lodge and recreated it with his family! His sister even walked down the corridor as though it was the aisle, and it was such an emotional moment for everyone, there wasn’t a dry eye!”
If I could give one piece of advice…
“Ask questions and don’t be afraid to seek support. Your line manager and team are there to help you. Working in care is one of the most rewarding careers you can have—it’s amazing to have a job that is solely focused on making a difference in peoples’ lives.”
