Meet Helen Lawson: Our new Commissioning Home Director of Bennett Court

Meet the woman managing Bennett Court, our £3.4m complex needs care home in South Elmsall, opening winter 2021.

In charge is Helen Lawson, the Commissioning Home Director of Bennett Court, a 30-bed care home in South Elmsall, Pontefract.

Once completed, the home will provide support for adults living with a brain injury, neuro-disability, spinal injury, physical disability and mental health condition.

Bennett Court will also bring over 150 jobs to the local area in a range of roles including Health Care Assistants, Registered Nurses, Senior Nurses and support staff such as Maintenance, Kitchen and Housekeeping. 

In this blog, we talk to Helen about why she joined Exemplar Health Care and her hopes for Bennett Court’s first six months.

I’ve worked for Exemplar Health Care for 16 years. I started off working with the company as a Nurse at Greenside Court care home in 2005. I've since been promoted to a Unit Manager, Clinical Nurse Manager and most recently as a Home Manager at Neville Court care home in Barnsley. 

I made the decision to become a Peripatetic Manager in 2018 to broaden my knowledge and experience - this involves working across the Exemplar Health Care portfolio and managing homes that need additional support. This has helped me to gain the knowledge and skills to open a brand new home, which is something I've been working towards for the past three years. I'm now honoured and proud to be given the opportunity to manage Bennett Court and shape the service from the beginning.

I've always felt that Exemplar Health Care puts the service users first, and the ethos and values of the company have always kept me striving for the best quality care for all service users.

Bennett Court is a purpose-built home that has the space needed to meet service users’ needs in an environment that was built for exactly that.

The team will also provide person-centred care that focuses on maximising independence, building everyday living skills and empowering people to live as fulfilled lives as possible.

Colleagues recruited to join the Bennett Court team will be selected carefully to ensure that they demonstrate the Exemplar Health Care values and have a passion for achieving positive outcomes.

Bennett Court will have a beauty salon including a hairdresser’s sink and chair, large and spacious lounges on every unit and an activities hub on the ground floor. The hub will enable service users to participate in preparing their own drinks and rehabilitation.

The home also benefits two bariatric bedrooms on the ground floor.

Bennett Court will give service users the ability to participate in activities that encourage being part of a community.

Our in-house Therapy Team will work with service users to develop and build on skills to maximise independence.

I'm most excited about being able to provide the best care for our service users in a purpose-built home that meets the needs of the group, as well as being able to watch the staff and team grow and develop within their roles.

Exemplar Health Care has a reputation for delivering high-quality, person-centred care, which is achieved by truly focusing on those using the service. I want to be able to make a positive difference in their lives and this is something that Exemplar Health Care is known for.

Our roles offer stable employment, with flexible shifts, full support and training, as well as a great rewards and benefits package, including:

• excellent career development opportunities

• retail and lifestyle discounts

• enhanced Employee Assistance Programme

• welcome bonus for Nurses. 

To apply for a role, or to find out more about Bennett Court, visit our online job search.

If you’d like to find out more about the home or make a referral for a complex care placement, please contact our Referrals Team on 01709 565 777 or email referrals@exemplarhc.com.