International Womens Day 2025

At Spa Nursing Home Group we are proud to celebrate International Women's Day 2025 by highlighting the remarkable stories of our colleagues, residents and their families.

A note from the Regional Team

At Spa Nursing Home Group we wish on International Women’s Day to recognise and celebrate the incredible contributions of our staff working tirelessly in our care homes. From the Management team, HR Team, Staff Nurses, carers, Admin staff, Domestics, Laundry, Cooks, Kitchen, Activity staff and those who work behind the scenes in our Head Office.

Their dedication and compassion plays a vital role in the lives of those they care for, helping to create nurturing and safe environments. As we honour their hard work and resilience, we recognise the invaluable impact they have on the wellbeing of residents, families and the entire community. Their commitment exemplifies the strength and spirit of women everywhere, and we are grateful for their service and dedication. We recognise that many of our staff are working wives and mothers and work unsocial hours to provide for their families and meet resident’s needs.

We also would like to pay tribute to the ladies in our care who are wives, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and friends. Across years and generations these ladies have contributed in their own family lives and within their communities. Staff enjoy hearing about their life stories and building rapport with them and look on them as family.

Today we celebrate our Women.

Linda Graham (Regional Manager) & Louise Riley (Regional Support Manager)

Margaret Jackson
Carryduff Nursing Home

Margaret Jackson

Margaret started to work for Spa group 20 years ago as a Care Assistant and then as an Activity coordinator. Margaret then started her role as Domiciliary Co-Ordinator with Spa Home Care and was always keen to work with elderly people. Margaret left the company and went on to study an NVQ Level 3 before returning to work in Carryduff Nursing Home as a Care Assistant in 2019.

Margaret always foresees the needs of residents and provides person centred care. She takes initiative with activities such as music, arts, crafts and engaging with residents.

Margaret is an inspiration and role model to all staff, especially when new people join the team. She takes time to teach and encourages them, welcoming them as part of the team. Margaret has great organisation skills and keeping spaces tidy – which is a great blessing in a busy nursing unit!

Margaret acknowledges the emotional challenges in providing care and we all learn from her experiences in life’s difficult moments. Despite this Margaret is always present with her love for Carryduff. Kindness, care, compassion and empathy are innate qualities which she generously illustrates to others who she meets in her life journey.

Zoe Forsythe & Kristine Drayner
Head Office

Zoe Forsythe & Kristine Drayner

We want to shine a spotlight on two amazing women in our HR team: Zoe and Kristine.

Zoe has been with us since July 2019 and is our go-to Senior HR Officer. She's got a wealth of experience and always knows how to keep things running smoothly. Plus, she's super-mum to four kids, balancing work and family like a pro.

Kristine joined the team in February 2022 and brought a fresh burst of energy and new ideas. Quickly rising to the role of HR Officer, she's been a game-changer for our team. She's also a fantastic mum to her young son, showing us how to juggle work and home life with grace.

This year's theme for International Women's Day is "Empowering Women in the Workplace," and Zoe and Kristine are perfect examples of this. Their contributions remind us of the strength and commitment women bring to our team every day. We're proud to celebrate their achievements and continue empowering women in our workplace.

Sara Mitchell
Spa Nursing Home

Sara Mitchell, Spa Nursing Home

I have known Sara since 2003 when her grandmother was a resident in Spa Nursing Home. This began her long association with the home. Sara was a qualified nurse since 1996 and worked for a short time in nursing homes then most of her 20 years was in elderly care at the city hospital. It was Sara’s favourite area, and she enjoyed doing it.

She often visited the residents as a volunteer in Spa Nursing Home and organised groups of friends and neighbours to come with her to help celebrate special occasions such as Valentines, Olympics, Easter, Christmas etc. and helping with the church services at the home. She has done one to one visitations, talking to residents, showing her compassion to care especially with our residents who don’t have families. When Covid happened, unfortunately the Nursing Home visitations was closed and Sara was not able to visit but she arranged traybakes, toiletries etc to be given to residents and our team.

Last year Sara joined the team in Spa as the diversional therapist and it is a joy and pleasure to have her with us. During the storm Eowyn, Sara was one of the first people who came to the home to help us give breakfast and dinner to our residents. She is going the extra mile beyond her duties.

During one of our conversations Sara stated “I have the real honour and privilege of getting to spend time with residents and share in their lives. Giving the vulnerable and frail a voice and treating them with dignity and respect has always been a driving force behind my enjoyment and passion for working in the caring profession. Many women have inspired me and have encouraged me and shown me how to be a role model with my everyday life.”

As we celebrate the International Women’s Day 2025 we would like to honour Sara and all the women for all the amazing contribution in our society.

‘The Woman’s Voice’

“A woman is like a flower, Bright and full of grace. She stands in the garden of life, with strength to embrace.” Emily Dickinson

Susan Foster & Valerie Morrison
Redburn Clinic

Susan Foster & Valerie Morrison, Redburn Clinic

Happy International Women’s Day to Susan and Valerie!

Your unwavering dedication to the residents you cares for is truly inspiring. For more than 20 years you’ve poured your hearts into your work, providing comfort, compassion, and unwavering support to those who need it most. Your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed, and the lives you’ve touched are forever better for having you in them.

Thank you for being pillars of strength, love, and care. Your selflessness and commitment embody the true essence of what it means to make a difference in the world. We are so grateful for all you do, and today we celebrate YOU – the incredible women who inspire us with your endless compassion and dedication.

Redburn isn’t just a job for Susan and Valerie it’s like a second home as they look after residents as their own family. With over 50 years’ service combined they are veterans of Spa Nursing Home Group!

Cregagh Nursing Home

Cregagh Care Home

From our compassionate nurses and caregivers to our amazing activity coordinators and kitchen staff, Cregagh Nursing Home is powered by incredible women! And to our wonderful residents, your stories and smiles brighten our days. Happy International Women's Day!

Collette O’Connor
Oakridge

Collette O’Connor, Oakridge

On International Women’s Day I would like to pay tribute to Collette O’Connor activity therapist Oakridge Care Home. Collette was a care assistant and then transferred into the role of activity therapist about 5 years ago. Colette having been a care assistant working with nursing dementia residents was able to bring her caring skills to her new role. Colette is an exceptional individual and Oakridge residents enjoy all her activities that she plans. Nothing is ever too much trouble as Collette continually goes above and beyond for the residents. She has a creative approach to promoting activity and wellbeing ensuring that any activity a resident may wish to undertake becomes a reality. Collette was asked where she got her ideas from, she said she would recommend the book dancing with dementia as she got some ideas from this. Collette also trained in POOL activity and is aware of how senses are used for different stages of a resident’s journey with Dementia. Colette will research activities and adapt them to the residents within the home whether they are frail elderly, dementia nursing or dementia residential.

Collette plans and organises all activities in the home ensuring that they are varied to cater for residents’ individual likes, needs and abilities. From group activities such as music, singing, dancing, reminiscence, movie shows, quizzes, gardening, baking, arts and crafts, flower arranging, visits from local schools and pet therapy – including donkey visits! Collette is always trying to think of something new and different for our residents to experience. She also carries out 1-to-1 activity such as reading, music or massage; all individuals are catered for.

Collette has a musical talent, often heard playing the piano and guitar as well as singing one of the songs she frequently sings is you are my sunshine. It is well known, the positive and powerful impact of music on residents with dementia and we see this daily with Collette being able to transform moods through therapeutic use of music. Music and memory have a powerful connection, music can light up memories, soothe unease, bring shared joy and overall improve quality of life. Colette loves to find out about the resident’s life stories and even last year developed a choir for xmas carols.

Collette is creative and has a wonderful imagination, she has recently ‘built’ and designed a Santa’s grotto for our Christmas Fair and a stage for a Christmas Play. She has arranged some amazing activities for our residents, including a Teddy’s Bear Picnic, Big Bird Watch, Easter Hunt, Valentines & Halloween Balls. She has arranged activities around National and International celebration days including – National Pizza Day, Mountain Day which included a trip to the Mournes and Chocolate Milkshake Day. Her imagination knows no bounds.

Collette has done raffles, quizzes and much more to raise money, all in aid of our Resident Comfort Fund and local charities through fundraising including the Alzheimer’s’ Society and Pets As Therapy.

Going above and beyond is part of who Collette is, she takes time getting to know each resident and what is important to them and their families. Despite being a challenging role in a large Home Collette embraces every day with a positive attitude and always manages to put smiles on the faces of our residents which is truly priceless. Collette is passionate about her role, her residents and about improving our resident’s quality of life. She has been described by relatives and by her colleagues as “one in a million” because she genuinely puts her residents and their wellbeing as her upmost priority every single day. Well done to Collette on International Women’s Day.

Zara Cairnes, Alex Blaine, Gail Robinson
Carryduff

Zara Cairnes, Alex Blaine, Gail Robinson, Carryduff

Zara started at Carryduff Nursing Home nursing home 22 years ago as a care assistant and was always known for her exceptional care and compassion to the residents. Zara always aim to enable patient with high level of physical, mental, and emotional support. She always finds time to communicate with the residents to find their needs. She is now working as an Activity Coordinator in Carryduff and Redburn. Alex started her caring profession around 30 years ago with Spa Home Care and joined Carryduff Nursing Home in 2020. She keens to encourage and motivate residents to rehabilitate and improve their physical abilities. She is hard working, competent and skilled in her role. She sets herself as an example and inspires her colleagues to improve the care provided to our residents. Gail Robinson joined Carryduff Nursing Home as a care assistant 20 years ago, she then became our cook and provided with delicious and nutritious food and snacks. She took time and effort to speak to residents and knew their like and dislikes. She always provided them with her best food. Since her retirement in 2024 she is helping us as a kitchen assistant. She constantly shares her knowledge, experiences with the other cooks, and guides them in their work. Zara, Alex, and Gail, we can’t thank you enough for being with us for so many years, you are an invaluable asset to the team. You’re supportive, kind, and caring and you brighten up our resident’s life with your love, compassion, and empathy. You are always willing to go the extra mile for the home and for our residents. Thank you for delivering exceptional care to our residents

Anne Spence
Multi-site

Anne Spence, Multi-site

Today we honour Anna, a remarkable woman who has been an integral part of our company for over 25 years!

Starting her journey in community care, Anna’s dedication and compassion have touched countless lives. In 2016 Anna moved to her current role as Administrator for our nursing homes where she continues to build great rapports with everyone she meets and provides unwavering support to our managers, ensuring our homes run smoothly.

Anna’s commitment and kindness inspire us all. Thank you for your incredible contributions and for making a difference every day.

Roseanne Russel & Leila Sweeney
Redburn Clinic

Roseanne Russel & Leila Sweeney, Redburn

Today, on International Women's Day, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate two extraordinary women, Roseanne and Leila, for their unwavering dedication and outstanding service as care assistants at Redburn for over 20 years.

Their commitment, compassion, and hard work have touched the lives of many, making a profound difference in the lives of those they care for. Roseanne and Leila exemplify the values of care, kindness, and resilience, and their tireless efforts inspire everyone around them.

Thank you both for your incredible contributions to Redburn and for being shining examples of strength and dedication. You are truly valued, and your work makes the world a better place.

Happy International Women's Day!

Celebrating our wonderful team

This blog, dedicated to International Women's Day, has been a heartfelt celebration of the remarkable women who make our nursing home group a place of warmth, care, and compassion.

From the inspiring stories of our residents to the unwavering dedication of our staff, we've seen firsthand the strength, resilience, and kindness that define our community. Each day, our team works tirelessly to ensure that every resident feels valued, respected, and loved. It's this commitment to excellence that sets us apart and makes our nursing homes truly special.

As we move forward, let's continue to honour and uplift one another. Let's celebrate the small victories, cherish the moments of joy, and support each other through challenges. Together, we can create an environment where everyone feels empowered and appreciated.