Meet The Team
Interim Manager
Gale Reece
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As a registered nurse with over 40 years of experience working in a range of NHS and private sector health and social care settings, Gale now assists social care businesses and organisations to reach their full potential.
She holds a BSc in Health and Welfare Practice Education and Supervision, an Advanced Diploma in Specialist Practice Teaching, and a Diploma in Health and Social Care Management.
Gale is passionate about helping social care providers capitalise on the hard work that is already being done, so as to refine and improve care delivery.
Gale works diligently to support all her clients in achieving this balance and is committed to building change management processes that are based on justice and fairness.
Deputy Manager
Anna Dunford
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Anna joined Elliscombe House in March 2022 as a Senior Healthcare Assistant and worked as a Care Home Assistant Practitioner (CHAP) before becoming Deputy Manager.
Anna has worked in GP Surgeries supporting on-duty doctors and in triage, as a Pharmacy Advisor, and as a Specialist Care Practitioner in the community.
Anna is passionate about the links between Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) and nutrition, and embeds safe and person-centred care across the home, ensuring that the best quality of life for our residents is at the heart of what we do.
Estate manager
Mr STEVEN BAMBURY
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Steve has worked in the Service and Maintenance Sector for over 30 years, covering many different industries.
From general maintenance and repairs to large projects and events, Steve's role at Elliscombe House is wide and varied and certainly never dull!
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Steve is thorough and dedicated to every task at hand, and above all, resident safety and comfort is at the heart of everything he does.
Head Chef
Mr Ben Dawes
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Ben trained at Somerset College, progressing his catering career from kitchen porter to head chef. Ben has managed several professional kitchens, predominantly in fine dining restaurants and the gastro-pubs industry. On any given day, Ben can be found creating dishes such as roasted venison loin, truffled butternut puree, celeriac fondants and a chocolate jus; or local pheasant breast, leg bon bon, pickled red cabbage, and caramelised apple with a truffle dressing. Ben believes the most delicious cuisine is made simply with the best, fresh, high-quality ingredients.
head housekeeper
Miss cat Rees
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Cat's strong aspiration to help people led her to a career in the care industry. Having previously worked as a care assistant, she developed a passion for infection prevention & control, becoming the designated lead in this area. Utilising this knowledge, Cat swiftly attained a Head of Housekeeping role and went on to pursue a BA (Hons) Degree in Health & Social Care. Alongside ensuring a clean and safe environment for our residents, Cat is a key part of the organising team for our fabulous house events.
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administrator
Mrs lou Wilson
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Lou started her career in Health and Social care as a Healthcare Assistant & remained in role for 7 years. During this time Lou completed her Level 3 NVQ. Lou took time out from care industry to complete a degree in Sports, Fitness and Coaching, but her passion to care for others bought her back to the sector & we are delighted she chose to support us at Elliscombe House as the Home Administrator. Lou can be regularly seen spending time with our residents and their families, making sure each individual feels supported & looked after.
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head gardener
Jonathan
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Jonathan has over 30 years experience in horticulture, having trained at Cannington College & as a gardener for the Royal Horticultural Society.
Jonathan joined Elliscombe House in 2021, following his passion for plants & the environment, & is very enthusiastic about developing the beautiful surroundings here for everyone to enjoy.
Marketing Manager
Lizzie Watson
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Lizzie has worked in Marketing for over 15 years, spanning the Luxury British, Health & Wellness, and Film & Art industries. Before working at Elliscombe House, Lizzie was the Marketing Officer for Sherborne Prep School.
Lizzie is also an illustrator & designer and a qualified life coach.
Lizzie lives in Sherborne with her three children & dog, Coco.
activities assistant
sharon
Sharon started her career as a civil servant, after a brief pause to raise her family, Sharon returned to work, supporting Children & Adults with Learning Disabilities. Sharon moved to Wincanton in 2021 & joined Elliscombe House as the Activities Assistant. Sharon uses her natural long-standing caring skills & love of meditation to provide a fun, varied & person centered environment. Sharon can always be found at the heart of our mindfulness activities.
OUR TEAM
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Elliscombe House is managed and staffed by an outstanding team, bringing a wealth of experience to their respective areas. We deliver a safe, nurse-led service of the highest quality. Both the Administrator and Housekeeper are specialists in care whilst our Estate Manager, Chef and Activities Manager excel in their fields. Collectively, they are a nurturing, confident and happy team whose infectious enthusiasm permeates the home and underpins everything we do.
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OUR VALUES
The entire team worked together to craft a set of values in which we all believe and to which we collectively commit ourselves.
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PROMISE - we protect & support each other compassionately, respectfully & with dignity.
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​ TOGETHERNESS - we are closely united in friendship, understanding of each other; our friends & our families .
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​ SPONTANEOUS - we encourage & embrace the impulses & enjoy the laughter.​
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​ UNIQUE - we listen & learn, creating thoughtful & imaginative ways to connect with each other.​
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MEMORIES - we work together to capture magic moments to make special memories.
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A Message From The MD
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Having witnessed first-hand the immeasurable value of exceptional and compassionate care in a comfortable home, the renovation of Elliscombe House has been a deeply personal journey for myself and my wife, Catherine. This understanding of what the finest level of care can achieve, allied to our combined experience in project management, interiors, new business development and finance, made Elliscombe House the perfect site to realise our vision.
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Great care and consideration has been taken to create a comfortable, nurturing and safe environment, with individual needs being met in the best possible way. From small touches, like bud vases on breakfast trays and vintage domino sets, to high tech communication systems and eco heating, we pride ourselves on the enormous attention to detail that has gone into the renovation of the home.
History Of Our Home
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Elliscombe House is situated in Higher Holton, a small hamlet near Wincanton, in south east Somerset, close to both the Dorset and Wiltshire borders. Built in 1901, this elegant Edwardian house was the former country residence of the Heathcoat-Amory family. In the midst of glorious Somerset countryside, sitting atop a hill, the house has a South-facing aspect and sweeping views across the mature grounds and over the valley.
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The garden at Elliscombe House
The garden at The garden at Elliscombe House