Jaymee-Leigh joined Richardson Care in February 2024 after 10 years of working in supported living for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. She is the Registered Manager at 144 Boughton Green Road, our long-term community neuro rehab service. This home provides a stable environment and a home for life for males with a diagnosis of acquired brain injury, associated cognitive difficulties and co-morbid conditions.

While studying for a Social Work degree at The University of Northampton, Jaymee-Leigh took a part-time job as a bank care support worker with adults who have learning disabilities. She enjoyed it so much that she decided to make it her career.

After graduating and spending two years as a care support worker, Jaymee-Leigh was promoted to Assistant Manager. She moved up to Manager, Acting Regional Manager and then Regional Manager within the organisation. She joined Richardson Care after her friend and former colleague, Jackie Hardisty recommended that she apply for a manager’s role, after having made the move herself.

Jaymee-Leigh says: “I really enjoy my role. I love coming into the home in the morning and seeing all the guys. One of them speaks French so we always say ‘bonjour’ to each other, but my French doesn’t extend much further than that! Another guy comes into our office at the same time every morning to make us a coffee and have a chat.

“The best part of my job is the service users. They’re great. I love seeing them happy and enjoying themselves so much. That’s why I’m here. I want to make a difference.

“I’m passionate about providing person-centred care, enabling the guys to choose activities that they actually want to do. They really love the armchair exercises and music enrichment sessions that we have in the home each week. Some of the service users go and support Northampton at rugby or football matches, go to exhibitions, the theatre or cinema. All the guys have different interests and it’s a fairly stable population. However, we had a new admission recently and it’s been great to see him come out of his shell and join in with the other guys. They encouraged him to take part in the music sessions and he really enjoyed it. He also went to an Elvis exhibition in London with another service user and had a really good time”

Jaymee-Leigh continues: “I feel supported as a manager at Richardson Care. Silvia (Head of Care) has been fantastic and it’s a real bonus having the MDT (multi-disciplinary clinical team). We have an MDT meeting dedicated to the service users in this home every five weeks. It’s really helpful to have a platform to discuss issues and come up with a plan of action together. It enables us to be more proactive and it’s great to receive advice from such experienced professionals as Pedro (Consultant Neuropsychologist) and Seth (Consultant Neuropsychiatrist). It’s also good to know that they’re available any time I have a question.

”Several members of staff have been here for over 10 years so they know the service users very well and that stability really helps. Having admin support too, means that I can concentrate on my role, making sure that the home runs smoothly and that all the service users are doing well.”

Jaymee-Leigh concludes: “It’s a nice working environment here and I feel appreciated.”

Outside work Jaymee-Leigh enjoys playing poker, and spending time with her family – including playing bingo with her Nanna.

Qualifications and Training

• NVQ Level 5 Leadership and Management
• BA(Hons) Social Work – University of Northampton
• Train the Trainer: Safer People Handling & Medication
• CPI Safety Intervention training
• In-house mandatory care support training
• Working with people with acquired brain injury
• Working with people with learning disabilities
• Safeguarding
• Record-keeping / MCA DOLS
• Health & Safety
• First Aid
• Fire Safety