International Women’s Day has been around since 1911 and is observed annually on March 8th. The day is named to celebrate achievements and advocate women’s rights and equality globally. It is an opportunity to reflect on changes and progress and acknowledge the roles and achievements of ordinary women in shaping the history of their communities and those around them. These achievements are seen in all aspect of life, social, economic, cultural and political.
Women play an enormous role in shaping the care sector in the UK and on IWD we reflect on the importance of this contribution to society as a whole and to life in our nine care homes.
Here we highlight just a couple of our female staff members and how their roles have made a difference.
Lisa Coombs is Home Manager at Bullsmoor Lodge and has been involved in the care industry since age 16. Inspired by her time spent caring for her grandmother, Lisa discovered a profound sense of purpose and knew she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.
“In my career, I have been fortunate to work in a sector full of inspiring women who have taught me valuable lessons and shaped who I am today,” states Lisa. “The care industry has provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with incredible women from all walks of life.”
The woman Lisa feels inspired her the most is her grandmother. “Her perseverance and strength taught me to never give up, and it was her example that led me to pursue a career in care. I owe my journey to her bravery and belief in me, which fuelled my desire to strive for greatness,” says Lisa.
A defining moment in Lisa’s career came during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic meant finding innovative solutions for communication and resident care, and it tested her ability to remain positive in the face of adversity. Lisa feels that it was through this experience that she truly grew as a leader.
For Lisa, leadership is about empowering her team, giving them the autonomy to make decisions, and supporting them as they progress. Allowing people to show up as their true selves without judgment and creating an environment where change can happen, and quality care is always delivered.
Lisa is passionate about supporting and creating work experience placements in health and social care so that young people can experience the strength of those in the care sector and learn from shared knowledge first hand.
“My advice to young women aspiring to be leaders in the care sector is simple: never give up. Don’t doubt yourself, even when others do. Hard work and passion will pay off, and the challenges you face will only help you grow.”
Home Manager at Millway House, Claire Lousteau, also found inspiration from her family. Claire’s mother was an SRN and Claire grew up learning about what it meant to be a nurse and work in care.
“From my initial role in auxiliary nursing, I learnt firsthand how much of an impact compassionate nursing care can have on someone’s life. I realised I wanted to be a part of that change, making people feel safe, seen and supported,” states Claire.
One of the key challenges Claire has experienced during her career is being taken seriously in leadership roles. In the mid 1980’s when Claire qualified it was still very much a male orientated industry with few women in management roles let alone leading the operational or strategic decisions that needed to be made.
This has changed but even in an industry predominantly made up of women, it could sometimes be difficult to assert authority without facing unconscious bias. Early on, Claire had to prove herself and show that she was not only competent but also capable of making tough decisions. Mentorship from other women leaders she worked alongside was invaluable in overcoming these challenges.
“I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by strong, inspiring women throughout my career. One of my biggest inspirations is a former ward sister who I worked with. Her approach was always to put the patient first and always remain incredibly patient-centred. Her approach to leadership was always from the angle of compassion,” comments Claire.
One of Claire’s proudest achievements was being part of a Stroke Unit forging ahead to deliver exceptional stroke care that improved patient outcomes. Led by Claire the unit was voted as one of the top 10 in the country making a real difference in the delivering of quality of care to these patients and their extended families lives for the better.
“Being a woman has influenced my leadership style by encouraging me to lead with empathy, understanding, and collaboration. It is not just about giving orders but creating an environment where people feel valued to make a difference in a supportive culture. This is especially important in the care sector, where the emotional and psychological well-being of both staff and residents is so integral to success,” concludes Claire.
Women in leadership, have the power to make lasting change and to inspire the next generation. Our team leaders at AgeCare continue to encourage, uplift, and empower all our staff members on this journey.
