registered nurse

care assistant

senior care assistant

sous chef

deputy manager

Avery Healthcare

This was my first job in the care industry, the initial training I felt was good  and supportive which had me feeling positive about the role at first.

I applied for a Kitchen Assistant position, but ended up working as a Host, which although still part of the kitchen team is quite a different role as it involves a lot more interaction with the residents and minimal time spent in the kitchen. Similarly someone else in training was under the impression they would be part of the cleaning/housekeeping staff, they ended up hosting too and were very nervous about it. 

Pay was essentially minimum wage, which I did not feel was fair given how stressful and demanding the role could be at times. Perks were non-existent. I was responsible for serving breakfast, tea, coffee, drinks, snacks, lunch and dinner to just over 20 residents on the dementia floor, paying careful attention to their dietary preferences and needs. In between mealtimes I was responsible for the maintenance and cleanliness of the dining area, though I would usually spend time keeping the residents company and helping them with simple tasks as well. There were usually not enough utensils to go around, the hot water machine and dishwasher were temperamental, communication between different departments could have been better. There were some responsibilities I found a bit nonsensical such as having to write a personalised lunch and dinner menu and deliver it by hand to the kitchen staff every day - you'd think they'd have a better system in place, or that the chefs would remember residents' dietary requirements after cooking for them day in day out. But no, many times there would be nothing for residents with special dietary needs (e.g. allergies, lactose intolerance) to eat sent up in the trolley, which meant having to chase them up and run down to the kitchen to fetch them something so they wouldn't go hungry. The food itself was tasteless and bland at best, it looked and smelled hideous some days. I'd say about 70% of the food ended up being thrown away, people of this age don't tend to have massive appetites.

There are no set break times, and Avery do not pay breaks or overtime. So breaks are taken out of your wages regardless of whether you take a break or not. No one told me where the staff lunch room was until some months into my time there, and I was anonymously reported for relatively petty things like eating in the dining room, or leaving the place untidy when my time was up. This led to me feeling unable to trust other members of staff, and that there was a gossipy, back-stabbing culture which I am told is the norm for care homes. On particularly stressful days I felt pressured by the carers into staying behind after my time was over and tidying up which felt like an unfair amount of responsibility for just one person, especially when there are still roughly 10 unsupervised residents with dementia in the dining area and you're there trying to tidy up and take the bins out just so you can leave on time (I rarely, if ever, managed to leave on time). Agency carers who knew nothing about residents' personal preferences were common, which though not their fault, could be very frustrating. Some agency carers I found unpleasant to work with, however I got on with the majority of my colleagues. On more than one occasion there were major issues with overflow of waste bags in the outside bin area - it was disgusting.

I enjoyed getting to know the residents, all of whom were lovely, wonderful individuals who had lived rich and interesting lives. However there was a chronic shortage of staff and poorly defined job roles, management were nowhere to be seen the vast majority of the time, and were condescending and patronising in their treatment of floor staff when dealing with paperwork and admin duties. I miss the residents and some of my colleagues, but I'm glad I don't work for Avery any more - it took quite a toll on my mental and physical well-being, any on-going support was non-existent.

Typically, Whenever a head office operation is involved in a national company you will have problems that should not exist. This may be a care provider that focused on care initially, but it is now a 'profit-focused' organisation. 
My experience within Avery has been a very mixed one with sights of the ambition and prospect that could be achieved mixed with the neglect and refusal to acknowledge when we have issues and problems. 

Within the homes itself the whole workforce are amazing people and do not deserve to have a working environment that does not offer support or suitable reward for everyone's hard work that almost every day requires going beyond what is expected. 

As for management I have had no issues with the management team (within the home itself). The home manager has the right philosophy's and attitude to make a home excellent and a positive workforce. Sadly the management are at the mercy of 'Head Office', which means unless you are a "Yes" person who will agree with everything that is said and you never question why something is being done, you are never going to be the right candidate within the company eyes. 

I would like to explain how the work is, but it's impossible for me to give a  good idea to other of a typical day. The company has over the pandemic been using excessive furlough that is resulting in dangerous care levels and a general lack of moral for the company. Even now as we move towards the end of the lockdown, Head office has forced managements hand to increase the level of furlough in the home. Naturally some might ask "has the numbers of residents dropped through the pandemic?". The answer is no.
I have questioned and quizzed the company as to why we are using furlough but have not received any straight answer that is consistent between the Head office departments. 
Whats more strange is the company does not want the knowledge of furlough being used within the homes. 

If anyone from Avery Head office is reading this. Please think about what you initially stood for. You have lost your way focused more on your 'image & profits' rather than the care you provide. I have no doubt you will ask "how did we not know about these problems?" if a CQC or local authority officer takes you to task over neglect & ignorance. You have the willing & experienced workforce to make things happen. The problem however is not in your homes. 

If you are thinking of working for Avery, please have a good think about whether its absolutely necessary for you to work in this company. There are plenty of other care providers who will value you more and respect you as a person. If you just need a job, apply, you will be offered it straight away. 

I was employed on a bank basis by this company as a result of their covid 19 recruitment advertisement which promised a lot and delivered very little other than a minimum wage. I lasted 3 months until I resigned

I came with a wealth of previous experience in clinical care and in a customer facing role in aviation. Some of this was in a supervisory/management capacity. 

The interview process was a joke. Even the DBS I provided was never verified by managers in their haste to put people on the rota

In the 3 months I worked I saw this company then loose a general manager, two head chefs, another senior chef and two servers at my work location. Enough said on retention of staff.

There is nothing like a pandemic to expose company shortfalls either generally or specifically due to the current situation. 

A typical day for me consisted for me in turning up/not turning up at the time last seen on my rota. This rota was published two weeks in advance by the now restaurant manager. It was then changed at his whim without asking of even telling staff. Enough said on work/life balance.

Assuming I came in at the right time I then had to go to a room the size of a store cupboard to get my PPE. There were no windows and no ventilation. It was impossible to social distance from other staff if I chose to don this PPE which I did. The majority of other serving staff chose not to yet they were in direct contact with some residents - all of whom are in the most vulnerable group according to age.

There was absolutely no training on the necessity of PPE, why we use it and how to such as donning/doffing gloves. The only time I saw any manager don PPE was when they greeted paramedics at the front door - upholding the façade of doing things right!!

Behind the scenes when they delivered food to residents that were deemed as needing to isolate they wore nothing.

The hardest part of this job for me was dealing with this inept management and listening to their petty general public criticisms of staff they had failed to train or support in a pandemic. The second hardest part was dealing with the changes made by the duty manager of the day which were never communicated at the start of a shift.

The only thing I learned in my short employment with this company was how not to do things. 

The most enjoyable part was my interaction with the residents whom I had the privilege to serve. They were so lovely.


No two days are ever the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most. The role is fast-paced and involves supporting care homes with operational management, quality assurance, governance, regulatory compliance, coaching leaders, and ensuring residents receive the highest standard of care. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a positive impact.


I've developed significantly both professionally and personally. The role has strengthened my leadership, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving skills, while giving me valuable experience in managing change, supporting teams, handling complex situations, and driving continuous quality improvement across multiple services.


Senior leadership are approachable, supportive and genuinely invested in helping people succeed. There is an open culture where advice and guidance are readily available, and leaders are encouraged to take ownership while feeling supported in their development.


The culture is centred around delivering high-quality, person-centred care. Collaboration, teamwork and continuous improvement are encouraged, and there is a shared commitment to doing the right thing for residents. While the environment can be demanding, colleagues are supportive and everyone works towards the same goal of providing excellent care.


The role can be challenging due to the pace and the responsibility that comes with ensuring consistently high standards across multiple priorities. Balancing operational demands with supporting teams through change requires resilience, adaptability and strong organisational skills.


The most rewarding aspect is knowing that the work you do has a direct impact on residents' lives. Supporting managers to develop, seeing teams grow in confidence, driving improvements in quality, and receiving positive feedback from residents, relatives and colleagues makes the role incredibly fulfilling. There are genuine opportunities for career development, and every day presents a chance to learn something new and make a meaningful difference.

Since the start of my employment with Avery Healthcare I have been made to feel welcome and part of the team.
The employee's and management at Avery are lovely and professional and always go the extra mile for residents, family of residents and staff.

I have not had any bad experiences. The homes are clean, welcoming, comfortable and stylish. There is a very high standard of hygiene and care within the homes. The residents are looked after really well and are always happy. It feels like home.

Avery Healthcare pride themselves on their hotel like standards. I find this to be an amazing thing they are doing as it makes the residents feel like they are being pampered and gives the home more of a holiday/homely feel rather than a typical care home.
Management have always been supportive of me and always have the time to listen to me whether it's my views of the home or how I feel personally. 

The culinary services are excellent. The food is of a very high professional standard. The residents are always spoilt for choice and enjoy meal times. 

All staff have a friendly, professional working relationship. Its a lovely happy atmosphere and residents feel comfortable and happy with the care assistants. They have real bonds with staff which again makes it feel more like home for them. 
There are always activities and something exciting happening within the home. Residents are always stimulated and having fun with the activity co-ordinators. No resident ever looks bored in the care home and same goes for the staff. 

There is always plenty of work to do to keep myself busy and pro-active. Thorough training is always provided to make sure I feel comfortable with what I am doing and can complete tasks to the best of my ability. It is a busy home, but there is always someone to support you and help you. 

I would recommend Avery to anyone. If you are looking for a career which makes you feel like you are giving something back to the community, with high career prospects and great benefits then look no further.

A typical day is busy but genuinely rewarding, starting with a walkround of both units, catching up with the team on handover, and then working through whatever the day brings, from supporting families to backing up the Deputy Manager and Unit Managers on the ground. Every day is different, and that variety keeps the role engaging.

What I've learned is just how much skill, care, and coordination goes into running a home well. I've grown enormously in this first year, from getting to grips with compliance and safeguarding, to learning how to bring the best out of a brilliant team.

Management is supportive and genuinely invested in getting things right, for residents and for staff. There's a real open-door culture, and people are encouraged to raise ideas and concerns without hesitation.

Workplace culture is one of the best things about Elvy Court. The team is close-knit, caring, and clearly proud of the work they do, especially on the Memory/Dementia Unit, where the level of patience and warmth staff show residents is genuinely inspiring.

The hardest part of the job is the emotional side, supporting families through tough moments, but it's also what makes the work meaningful; you're there for people at some of the most important times in their lives.

The most enjoyable part is seeing residents settled, happy, and well cared for, and watching staff grow and thrive. There's nothing better than a family telling you how much peace of mind Elvy Court has given them.

I started my job after a long wait of nine weeks for my DBS to come through, with no income during that time. Initially, I was assigned to housekeeping and laundry roles for two weeks, even though my official position was Head Housekeeper. It was confusing to work alongside others when I was supposed to lead.

In my third week, as I navigated the care home on my own without guidance, I quickly noticed the cleanliness issues and cliques among staff. Despite knowing I shouldn’t wear fake nails, I tested the waters to see if management would address it. They eventually did, but only after over a month, which seemed like a safety oversight.

The pressure of the Head Housekeeper role became evident, especially considering the minimal pay increase of just 26p over the national minimum wage. Learning the responsibilities of my role was challenging, compounded by unexpected tasks that often left me feeling overwhelmed and isolated. When I sought help from management, I was frequently met with vague responses, like emails or phone numbers, rather than direct assistance.

There were also serious safety concerns. On my first day, a former employee, who wasn’t supposed to be on the premises, entered my office unexpectedly, which was unsettling. Additionally, I observed staff bringing their children to work on shift, despite management claiming they were unaware of this. Someone should have questioned their presence straight away.

The few enjoyable moments came from conversations with staff who shared insights about the care home’s past, which left me unimpressed, though I won’t name names. Lastly, I still haven’t received my DBS certificate due to an incorrect address used by the DBS service, leading to it being sent elsewhere. Overall, the environment felt unprofessional, and many changes are needed.



When I started at Droitwich Mews, it seemed like it was a professional and approachable place to work. However, the severe changes of management in the lack of time it has been opened for is concerning and embarrassing. The staff turnover is almost record breaking and the morale is now currently at an all time low. Recently there is new management present... Again and I fear that they are going to have a lot to regain it's morale to a welcoming and professional level. 
There is a severe clash between nights and days, to a point where the person centred care is not a priority and the safety of residents is low. It's appeared to be more about the convenience for some staff members to have an easy shift, while those who work for the residents choices and care plans are not seen as "doing the job right". 
There are staff members who will bust a gut and not get involved with the politics and childish behaviours  of fully grown staff members and they do not get any form of thanks or rewards. It has seemed to recently be a place of 'its not what you do, it's who you know'. Residents who have capacity to understand what is going on around them are also depressed and concerned about the general morale and this becomes a serious concern and is literally heartbreaking. 
I really hope that things pick up there sooner rather than later. Sadly during my time there, I have had to fight for personal sanity and had to have counselling for it. No one should have to put up with that and it is not a good place to work. 
I hope to god that the new management can turn it around though and I wish them the best of luck in the future. 

Having worked as a General Manager within Avery Healthcare, I have had the opportunity to lead a dedicated team while making a genuine difference to the lives of residents and their families. Avery places a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, relationship-centred care, and there is a real commitment to continuous improvement and innovation across the organisation.
One of the aspects I value most is the support available from colleagues across the wider business. There are clear opportunities for professional development, leadership training and sharing of best practice, which helps create a culture of learning and collaboration. The organisation encourages managers to be creative, celebrate success and empower their teams to achieve excellent outcomes.
Like any role in health and social care, the position can be demanding, and there are times when balancing operational priorities, regulatory requirements and the individual needs of residents and families can be challenging. However, the rewards of seeing residents thrive, supporting team development and creating a positive community environment far outweigh these challenges.
I have been particularly proud to work within a culture that values kindness, compassion and teamwork. Avery's focus on investing in its people, maintaining high standards and continually enhancing the resident experience makes it a rewarding organisation to work for.



A typical day involved managing the front desk, answering calls, greeting visitors, and often covering roles beyond my training, such as supervising large groups of residents without support. I learned how to stay calm under pressure and multitask, but felt boundaries between roles were unclear.

Management lacked approachability and accountability. Communication was poor, and newer staff were often excluded. The culture felt cliquey and unwelcoming, with noticeable favouritism. There was also a disappointing amount of gossip, which affected morale.

The hardest part of the job was being expected to take on care-related tasks without training, which raised safety concerns. Breaks were often interrupted, and support from leadership was minimal.

However, the residents were always entertaining—interacting with them daily was genuinely enjoyable. I also loved having friendly chit chats with their relatives, which added warmth to otherwise challenging days.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Registered nurse 80 salaries reported	£23.52 per hour
Care assistant 315 salaries reported	£13.10 per hour
Senior care assistant 179 salaries reported	£14.07 per hour
Sous chef 38 salaries reported	£14.77 per hour
Deputy manager 20 salaries reported	£47,657 per year

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