Agincare Heroes Stories: Sam Squibb
Samantha Squibb, Registered Manager of Cordelia House Care Home in Fareham, has been honoured as one of our first ever Agincare Heroes at a prestigious awards ceremony held this summer. It paid tribute to extraordinary members of our team that have gone above and beyond the call of duty, or made a real difference to the lives of those that they care for.
Our judging panel had hundreds of nominations to consider, but only a dozen individuals could go on to be honoured with an Agincare Hero Award.
Meet our Agincare Hero Sam
Sam, who was accompanied to the awards ceremony by partner Chris, has been Registered Manager of Cordelia House for three-and-a-half years and says she was both ‘shocked and surprised’ to find she had won an Agincare Hero award. Nominations for Sam came during the height of Covid, reflecting her inner resolve to stand up and be counted as natural born leader, she says:
Covid was a challenging and stressful time. It meant providing leadership and mental health support for a wide network of people, including the care home team, residents and their relatives. All with constantly changing guidance, when you don’t always have an answer straightaway.
An exclusive awards ceremony
Welcoming Sam to the stage at an exclusive ceremony at The Manor House near Castle Combe, Wiltshire, Agincare Director Adam Luckhurst paid tribute to her incredible efforts. He said:
Sam is an inspirational care home manager who showed remarkable leadership during Covid, remaining calm and composed under incredible pressure.
She is epitome of dependability, and her cool head and caring heart makes her a testament to her profession.
Sam may go about her work in a calm, efficient and measured manner but the enormous impact of stability, support and strength they provide to the people around them doesn’t go un-noticed.
Sam received many Agincare Hero nominations from colleagues and relatives alike. These included a glowing tribute from Bruce Laker, the son of resident Campbell. Bruce’s life takes him around the globe and he completely relied on Sam as a trusted lifeline to his father, calling at all times of the day and night depending on where his travels had taken him. Sam did not let him, or anyone else, down. Indeed, Bruce described Sam as:
Exemplary, professional to the nth degree with a relaxed, joyful nature and a real firecracker when it comes to caring for my dad.
It is extremely reassuring knowing that she and her team are there. I sincerely cannot say thank you enough.
Nichola Mayall who works in the care team at Cordelia House, summed up the feelings of her colleagues adding:
She is an amazing boss and goes above and beyond for residents and for her care team!”
Sam and the 11 other Agincare Hero winners were invited to the stage in turn to collect an Agincare Hero certificate and medal from Agincare Founder and Chairman, Derek Luckhurst and Chief Executive, Raina Summerson. Winners also received a luxury hamper, bouquet of flowers and £500.
The heart to care
Sam’s career in care is inspired by her very own hero, her mum, who also worked in a care home. Sam’s visits to the care home as a child and later work experience set her on the path to a career in the care sector too. She started working in care at 15 years old, building her career in various roles and homes whilst studying health and social care at college. Sam soon progressed to Senior Care Assistant, Deputy Manager and Acting Manager, completing level 5 management qualifications along the way.
Sam was appointed the Registered Manager of Cordelia House in 2018, shortly before it joined the Agincare family of care homes. Sam’s commitment and fast track to a professional career in care is an inspiration and a journey she wholeheartedly recommends to others. Speaking at the awards ceremony she said:
Care is a big career prospect. There are so many different branches to it, such as nursing, becoming a Registered Manager, working with mental health and more.
It’s not exclusive to working in one job and provides multiple skills giving many different opportunities to explore.
Many people don’t realise they can be a Registered Manager when they think about a career in care. If they have the right work ethic, initiative and personality it’s all possible.
Become an Agincare hero
Whilst our Agincare Heroes awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond, all of our care workers are heroes. Their steadfast heart to care really is a superpower.
If you think you have the heart to care, then search our care worker jobs today and find a great package of benefits, including £500 welcome bonus, competitive pay, flexible shifts, high street and online discounts, paid training and excellent career development opportunities.
