Bradley Seed

Registered Manager – Lily House

“I never imagined I’d move up to be a Manager so quickly.”

“Swanton has given me the opportunities to accomplish my goals.”

Before I joined Swanton, I was working as an unqualified teacher at a local school and feeling pretty disillusioned. I spent more time doing paperwork than working with the pupils with special educational needs. I needed a change, so I applied for a Senior Support Worker role, and soon I was back with young people, and I’d rekindled my love for my work. Within ten months, I’d been promoted to Team Leader.

I knew I wanted to become a Registered Manager and asked for support to build towards that. My Regional Director gave me lots of responsibility and chances to prove myself before supporting me every step of the way to apply to the CQC. Whenever I needed help, I got it, and today, just over two years later, I’m the Registered Manager of Lilly House.

I never imagined I’d move up to this position so quickly, but Swanton has given me the kind of opportunities I needed to accomplish my goals. Now I’m supporting my team and new recruits to do the same. Join us, and you’ll be working with great people, getting job satisfaction and a chance to build your career too. You never know where Swanton might take you!

Tricia Gatenby

Support Worker

“I’ve found my purpose at Murton Grange.”

I’d worked as a call centre operator for 17 years when I applied for a Support Worker role at Swanton. I’d reached the end of the road in that job and used to wake up full of anxiety every morning. Although I’d been interested in pursuing a career in care, I wasn’t sure if I was up to the job or if it’d suit me. That changed the day I interviewed at Swanton’s Murton Grange service.

During my interview, one of the people we support started interacting with me and won my heart straight away. I immediately felt a connection to the people and the job, which was fantastic. I was nervous during the first two weeks, but I was assigned a buddy, Marion, who was there to answer all my questions and help me feel at home. There was also the opportunity to shadow colleagues and ask questions before I started supporting people myself.

Swanton has ensured I had all the training I needed, and my colleagues are always there to help if I want guidance. I feel very protective of the people we support and love making a difference in their lives. These days, I never wake up full of anxiety like I did before because I’ve found my purpose at Murton Grange. 

Dhiraj Rijhwani

Regional Director – North of England 

“Swanton looks beyond experience to see the individual and their potential.”

My care career began as a Bank Support Worker, but within a few years, I’d worked my way up to Client Service Manager. I joined Swanton because they offered the opportunity to become the Registered Manager at Swanton Supported Living, a step up that’d have taken years in my previous company. Here I was able to get my registration and extend my education. Fast forward a few months, and I was the first Registered Manager to look after SSL and a residential service simultaneously – first Eastholme and then Seaham View.

Now I’m a Regional Director, a role I’ve always dreamed of getting. It’s an amazing job because I get to go into every service, observe the best practice and then share it with the rest of the region. We are changing people’s lives, and knowing the whole region is doing well makes me so happy.

I’d encourage people to look at roles at Swanton because we’re a growing, dynamic organisation that offers lots of opportunities. The senior team are not wary of trying new things and giving new talent a chance. We look beyond experience to see the individual and their potential. Swanton did that with me, and I’ve never looked back!

Emma Brownsill

Practice Development Partner

“Being a Support Worker could be the foundation for a great career!”

“I’ve never had to look elsewhere to further my career!”

I was the business administrator at a haulage company when I applied for the role that changed my life. I started at Swanton in an admin position, and after a year, I got invited to help out as a Support Worker on a trip to Florida for over 40 of the people we support. I was amazed to discover I was good at it – and it didn’t feel like work at all! From there, I moved onto the floor full-time, and I was a Team Leader within six months.

I became the Deputy Manager at Cartref Croeso in 2015 and moved into the Learning and Development team 18 months later. I love my job as I go to services across Wales to coach and mentor colleagues, and I’m also involved in developing and designing training. I’m so proud of the people I’ve trained who’ve grown in confidence and excelled.

I’ve never had to look elsewhere to further my career because Swanton has given me the opportunities to progress. Some people think being a Support Worker is a stop-gap, but it could be the foundation to building a great career with us. You just need to embrace the opportunities Swanton offers.

Trevor Betteridge

Maintenance Officer

“What makes this job is the people!”

I joined Swanton in 2021 because I was looking for a role where I could use my 30 years of experience every day. I’ve mastered many maintenance tasks during my career, and I think I can turn my hand to most things. So, I was looking for a role that’d keep me busy and interested – and there’s never a dull moment at Station House!

I’ve only been here a few months and already feel like part of the family. My approach is to involve the people we support – I ask for their input into decorating and let them help with fun jobs. I’ve transformed nearly every bedroom in the past eight months and even created a Harry Potter-inspired wallscape! Seeing the faces of the people we support when we reveal their new space to them is lovely.

Swanton is always happy to provide me with whatever I need to get my job done, so I can focus on keeping the place safe and well-maintained. For me, what makes this job is the people. It’s a lovely place to work, and people really look after each other. I’d encourage other people in my position to give it a go.

Paula Pasparuga

Registered Manager

“There’s a place for everyone at Swanton.”

I’d worked at Swanton previously, so when I re-joined in 2017 as the Unit Manager at Swanton House, I knew I’d found the role that worked for me. I’d been an oncology nurse, so it was a big transition to go into complex care, but it has turned out to be my passion. After working hard with my fellow Manager at Swanton House to get a ‘Good’ CQC rating, I moved to become the Registered Manager at Gryphon Place in 2020.

I love my job because it’s so varied. The people we support have a range of complex needs, so I encounter professionals from different disciplines, and I’ve learned a lot. It’s also great to discuss things and exchange opinions with nurses and managers. In our region, nurses will do shifts at different services to get to know each other, and we also do training together.

Swanton offers excellent support and training – if you need something, you will get it. For new people joining us, it’s good to know that you can upskill and develop your career. There’s a place for everyone at Swanton. You just need to be willing to grab those opportunities.

Trudy Bridges

Bank Support Worker

“The flexibility is great for arranging childcare.”

I’d been working in Next for seven years when I got the job as a Bank Support Worker at Maes Y Bryn. My best friend was already working at the service and knew I was ready for a new challenge, so she put me in touch with the manager. One of the best things about taking the job was that I could fit it around my family life, and I’ve stayed on the bank relief team ever since.

It’s been ten years since I started, and I still enjoy the job. My favourite part is doing activities with the people we support, like taking them horse riding, out into town and to do their favourite things. It’s important to me to know I’m making a difference in people’s lives – and seeing their smiles is lovely.

The flexibility of being a relief worker means I can fit my work around childcare. My husband used to work away, so it was great for me to pick my shifts so I could always be home with my kids when needs be. It’s a godsend when you are a working parent, so I’d encourage other people to see if it’s a good fit for them too.