Right from her very first few weeks working in care, Helen Shepherd, Home Manager at Hayward Care Centre, knew she had found her dream career. Fast forward 23 years, and Helen's professionalism, cheerful disposition, and warmth have led her to her current position at the heart of Hayward. 

Helen chose a career in care because she wanted to look after people and make them smile, as well as helping them to live their best lives day to day. When she joined the care sector, she had young children, and valued the flexibility that this career offered. 

Helen became Home Manager at Hayward in January 2025, and her favourite thing about her job is spending time with the residents. "Coming into work and seeing the residents, I feel honoured to make them happy and support them in living fulfilled, independent lives," said Helen. 

She also loves leading the team at Hayward, seeing them gain confidence and knowledge and grow into their roles. Helen has pushed herself to continue learning and developing throughout her career, and was recently awarded a distinction in her Level 7 in Leadership and Management qualification with ILM. This qualification is equivalent to a postgraduate diploma, and represents a huge amount of hard work from Helen in growing her strategic leadership skills. 

One of Helen's favourite moments as Home Manager of Hayward was the recent 'Chicks and Bix' event the home organised together with a local nursery. This was an opportunity for the children to come into the home and chat to the residents, along with having the chance to cuddle chicks who were calling Hayward home for a while. "It was just lovely seeing the children and the residents chatting and hearing all the great conversations they were having. We've also got the highly anticipated Hayward Dog Show coming up in the summer, and I can't wait for that!"

Outside work, Helen loves spending time with her own dogs, a pair of dachshunds called Daphne and Jeff. They often visit Hayward with her, and are a big hit with the residents. 

Helen's number one piece of advice for someone looking into care for their loved one would be to visit a few different homes to get a sense of what they're all like. "When looking around, trust your instincts on the feel of the home, particularly around how staff interact with residents, and whether everyone is welcoming. I feel it’s so important that the home want to understand all about your loved one to make them feel part of the family at the care home," said Helen.