Meet the Team at
Ashbrook Court

Vicky joined the Carebase family in 2017 after retraining in Health and Social Care. Caring for her father, who lived with dementia, showed Vicky how much help and support families need and sparked a deep and lasting commitment to use her personal experience to help others facing similar journeys. Vicky shared that she feels “truly privileged to support families through the challenges that can follow a dementia diagnosis and to help residents create new, positive experiences every day.” Vicky brings strong leadership skills, empathy and professionalism to her role, underpinned by her NVQ Level 5 in Leadership for Health and Social Care.

Vicky’s warmth, compassion and gentle leadership are central to the welcoming atmosphere of the home. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with residents and their families, while supporting her team to deliver thoughtful, person-centred care. In her spare time, Vicky enjoys walking in Epping Forest with her beloved dogs.

Valentyna qualified as a nurse in Ukraine in 1991 before moving to the UK, where she completed her adaptation programme at North Middlesex Hospital in 2003 and gained her NMC PIN. With extensive experience across both hospitals and care homes, she has held a variety of leadership roles and joined Ashbrook Court in 2022, bringing more than 30 years of nursing and care experience to the team.

As Deputy Manager, Valentyna works closely with residents, families and colleagues to ensure every person receives high-quality, person-centred care. She particularly values building lasting relationships with residents, getting to know them well and supporting their wellbeing. For Valentyna, seeing a resident smile and knowing she has made a positive difference to their day is the most rewarding part of her role.

Outside of work, Valentyna enjoys spending weekends with her daughter and taking long walks to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

“The relationships we build with residents and their families are what make care so special. Being able to support someone every day and make them smile is the greatest reward.”

Tracy has worked as a nurse for over 40 years. She has gained experience across hospitals and nursing homes in a variety of roles, completed the Registered Managers Award and a Master’s in Mental Health, and contributed to research in schizophrenia, co-publishing over 20 papers.

Tracy says that no two days are the same and she enjoys getting to know each resident individually, understanding their care needs, and helping ensure they feel safe, secure, and well cared for. Tracy is active in her local church and enjoys volunteering and spending time in her garden. 

Deborah joined Ashbrook Court Care Home in 2024 as a Registered Nurse, bringing with her a wealth of experience from both hospital and care home settings. She qualified as a Registered Nurse in Ghana before gaining valuable hospital experience. After moving to Wales in 2022, she spent two years working in a care home before joining us. Her varied nursing background has given her a strong foundation in delivering compassionate, person-centred care.

As Nurse Unit Manager, Deborah oversees the day-to-day support and guidance of our nursing team while providing high-quality clinical care to residents. She administers medication, monitors residents’ health and wellbeing, and works closely with colleagues to ensure every resident receives the personalised support they need. Deborah particularly enjoys building trusting relationships with residents and their families and finds it rewarding to make a positive difference to their comfort, health and quality of life every day.

Outside of work, Deborah enjoys spending time with friends, exploring the countryside, sightseeing and reading. She loves discovering new places and unwinding with a good book.

“Building trusting relationships with residents and their families is one of the most rewarding parts of my role, and I strive to make a positive difference every day.”

Samantha is Ashbrook Court’s Administrator and brings with her a wealth of experience as an Administration Manager within a property company. Since joining Ashbrook Court in 2021, Samantha has completed her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration, supporting her in managing her busy role. Samantha oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including team  onboarding, training, and payroll, and also supports residents and their families during the move to Ashbrook Court. One of her proudest achievements has been the introduction of a monthly newsletter for residents and families, which has been very well received. Samantha is a keen horse rider and enjoys spending time with friends and family, and her rescue cat, Luna.

Ken trained as a chef in the late 1970s and has enjoyed a varied career in hospitality ever since. Starting in an Italian restaurant, he progressed to Head Chef before going on to work in prestigious venues including The Savoy Hotel, central London hospitality venues and film location catering. He joined Ashbrook Court in 2025, bringing decades of culinary experience and a passion for creating delicious, home-cooked meals.

As Head Chef, Ken leads our kitchen team in preparing nutritious, high-quality meals tailored to residents’ tastes and preferences. He particularly enjoys creating special events and themed menus, with the home’s popular BBQs being a particular favourite, bringing residents, families and the team together to create memorable experiences.

Outside of work, Ken enjoys spending time with his family, including his three children and eleven grandchildren. A passionate animal lover, he also cares for four rescue dogs, three rescue chickens and a rescue cat, and enjoys spending time outdoors.

“Food brings people together, and I love creating meals and special occasions that residents can enjoy and remember.”

Lorna joined Ashbrook Court as a Care Assistant in 2020 and then as the Home’s Receptionist before moving to become a Lifestyle Co- Ordinator. Describing her role, Lorna shares that she “has the absolute pleasure of looking after our residents’ lifestyles and wellbeing, creating fantastic memories and always enjoying ourselves”. Lorna describes Ashbrook Court as a home from home, where residents are loved by a fabulous team. In her spare time Lorna loves to travel and she is a proud mum to son Jack who has been visiting Ashbrook Court as a care companion since the age of 7.

Jason joined Ashbrook Court in 2025, bringing with him a varied career that includes decorating, property maintenance, carpentry and working as a Black Taxi driver. His broad practical experience makes him a valuable member of the maintenance team.

In his day-to-day role, Jason takes pride in keeping the building well maintained while supporting colleagues and helping to create a safe, welcoming environment for residents. One of the things he enjoys most is building friendly relationships with the people who live at Ashbrook Court.

Outside of work, Jason is a keen sports fan who enjoys playing golf, watching football and following athletics. His greatest pride is supporting his 13-year-old son, Jack, in his sporting activities.

Rochelle is our friendly, first point of contact for new applicants. An expert in care sector recruitment, she shortlists applications and arranges interviews. Rochelle welcomes connecting with candidates who share a passion for making a difference to people’s lives.

She says: “I love speaking with candidates who are warm, compassionate and motivated to provide exceptional care. It’s so rewarding to help find someone who’s a perfect fit – it’s one of the best parts of my job!”

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact, Rochelle is here to help you take the next step.

From securing references to arranging DBS checks, Katy ensures everything runs smoothly for new joiners.

For Katy, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing everything come together. She says: “Finalising an induction date for a new team member after supporting them throughout the process is such a great feeling. Knowing I’ve played a small part in shaping their future while making a difference in the lives of our residents is incredibly fulfilling!”

Michelle ensures we attract and retain the very best people to care for our treasured residents. With 15 years’ recruitment experience and a passion for the care sector, Michelle shapes the process for welcoming new joiners, sharing our culture and values, and helping everyone settle quickly into their new roles. Her team also has the fun job of planning exciting events and initiatives throughout the year to celebrate and reward team members’ dedication.

For Michelle, it’s all about making a difference. She says: “There’s nothing better than seeing our caring team members thrive in their roles, and how much they enjoy being part of our home. It’s so heartwarming to see the impact our team has on our residents’ lives and the deep sense of pride it brings.”