Love of the Profession Sees Oakland Care Staff Clock Up 150 Years of Loyal Service in Hastings

Staff at Oakland Care’s home in Hastings are celebrating more than 150 years of caring for the town’s residents.  17 members of the team at Hastings Court on The Ridge make up the total, with four of them having worked at the home since 2015.  Among them is George Postolache who started his career as a housekeeper at Hastings Court.  He said he was proud to have cleaned toilets and done laundry.

“I was just 19, it was my first proper job,” he remembered.  “I didn’t have much English, but Hastings Court gave me an opportunity.  As my language skills developed, I started to work with the residents and then I became part of the maintenance team.”

George was appointed maintenance manager in 2023 and said he’s grown with the home.

“I love working with the residents and hearing their stories of when they were younger, we get on so well.  I was a different person when I started here and me and Hastings Court have developed together.  They’ve invested in me and I’ve given back with hard work and a good attitude.”

Hastings Court is a purpose-built care home offering residential, nursing, memory and respite care for up to 80 residents.  Its manager, Kaye Giles, is another of the staff who’ve been there since the doors opened.  She’s worked her way to the top having started as a part-time receptionist.

“I’d worked in care before, so even after spending a number of years in a different career, I was able to progress here to Client Relationship Manager and then Deputy Manager. I’ve been the home manager for four years now.   The welfare of our residents is always put first; you do whatever is needed.  Even after 10 years, when I walk into Hastings Court it’s just a bit magical.”

Unit Manager Bertie Bragg has served nine years at the home.  She puts the longevity of her career with Hastings Court down to the flexible working she was offered when her children were young and her love of making a difference.

“I love to care, I want to do nice things for people,” she said.  “All of our residents are so different.  We see them more than our own families, so you genuinely care about them and have affection for them. We even had a visit from a relative in California whose mum we had cared for.  He came to visit on the anniversary of her passing and brought gifts for us which said so much about the relationship we had.”

The home’s deputy manager, Samantha Westlake, has also marked 10 years’ service at the home, alongside unit manager Kim Whiffen and assistant practitioner, Claire McDade.  Long service also features in Hastings Court’s sister home in Loughton, Woodland Grove, where four team members have cared for residents since its opening a decade ago.

Joanne Balmer is CEO of Oakland Care.  She said; “I’m so proud of the dedication shown by the team at Hastings Court.  Consistency of care and seeing the same faces every day is hugely reassuring for residents and their families.  Care is such a rewarding career.  It offers so many different career pathways and opportunities to develop.  The team here are testament to that.”