Meet Our Team

Victoria Osborne

General Manager

What I do

I am passionate about providing outstanding care for all our residents and creating a luxurious atmosphere in which the team can give their best. I believe Burcot provides a home from home to enable residents to feel comfortable with their surroundings. I love the fact that every day is different, with a new challenge to be met in the most open and professional manner.

I believe that the team and I go the extra mile for the residents and relatives to make them feel part of the ‘Burcot’ family.

I take time to get to know all our residents and for us to share our life experiences with each other. I took time out on my wedding day to pop in, so that the residents could see my dress and share part of my special day.

My experience

I have 17 years’ experience here at Burcot Grange, working through all the different departments from Administration, to Housekeeping, to Kitchen and then to Care. I am a qualified adult nurse, I have gained my Registered Manager’s award and I have completed the Leadership in Management programme.

About me

I live in the village, only a minute’s drive from Burcot with my husband, our son Charlie and our daughter Nancy. It’s a beautiful place to love with a very close community. In my spare time I enjoy dining out with friends, pampering myself at spas and going on countryside walks with my family.

My grandfather, George, worked at Burcot Grange as a gardener in 1935 when it was a private home owned by Mr and Mrs Rushbrooke. In 1937 the Rushbrookes made the magnanimous gesture of giving Burcot Grange to Birmingham Eye Hospital, where my grandmother worked as a nurse. Burcot Grange was where my grandparents first met in 1938 and went on to marry, so Burcot Grange has played a huge part in my families lives and will continue to play a big part in my life too.

Joshua Oakes

Deputy Manager

What I do:
I am the deputy manager at The Lodge at Burcot Grange. My main role is overseeing the care team; however, I am available to all members of the Burcot team for support. I enjoy leading the care team and strive to maintain a caring, compassionate and person-centred culture within the home. I like to lead with a positive and enthusiastic mentality, always having our residents at the forefront of my mind.

My experience:
I first started at Burcot as a volunteer aged 17, I then joined the team aged 18 as a carer, in this position I enjoyed the one to one time spent with residents proving care and enjoying activities. Within my first year I was promoted to senior carer, in this role I really found my passion for leading and supporting the team. I held this position for 5 years before starting my nursing degree at university. Once I completed my degree with first class honours, I worked at an acute hospital where I was able to gain invaluable experience, training and develop my clinical skills. I then returned to Burcot Lodge in 2019 as Deputy Manager, a role I feel very privileged to be in.

About me:
When I’m not at work I can be found with my partner, family and friends. I am a very social able person who enjoys eating out, holidays, walking, reading and I also have a great passion for music.
I can also be found with a paintbrush in hand as my partner and I have recently bought an old Victorian house, this inevitably means we spend a lot of time refurbishing!

Mike Dearn

Home Admissions Advisor

What I do:
When someone makes an enquiry regarding care for a loved one, I am the person who welcomes them to the home. It can be a difficult and emotional time for the family so it is important to listen and discover how we can help. The role is very rewarding as I get to meet some wonderful people who have lived such interesting lives, listening to their life history is such a privilege. Seeing a new resident settling in to the home and making new friendships with other residents and the team here at Burcot is an indication that we have achieved what we set out to do from that very first meeting.

My experience:
I have worked in the care industry for a number of years, initially as a chef before managing many Nursing and Residential homes in the Midlands. I have always enjoyed meeting potential new residents and their families so made the move in to my current role as Home Admissions Adviser in 2019, it is a move which I have not regretted!

About me:
I am a proud Dad and Grandad and enjoy spending time with my young Grandchildren. I am an avid Aston Villa supporter and enjoy (fair weather) cycling.

Karen Firth

Hospitality Services Manager

What I do:
I am the Hospitality Services Manager. My main role is to lead the Catering and Housekeeping teams. I am passionate about high quality food and service and, with the support of the Head Chefs along with feedback from our residents, we strive to create a five-star dining experience that exceeds our residents’ expectations. Using only the freshest ingredients we create menus which are both homemade and nutritious. I work closely with the Head of Housekeeping to ensure a high standard of cleanliness. We work hard together to uphold high infection control measures.

My experience:
I started my journey at Westminster Catering College in London, and then spent the next 28 years working for various 4 and 5 star Hotels in London, Manchester, and Worcestershire working both front and back of house. Through these opportunities, I gained a wealth of experience in cooking, food service, and housekeeping. This is my first care home position and have been part of the Burcot family since 2018; I love the interaction with the residents and the challenge of providing a service that can really make a difference to their wellbeing and happiness of all at Burcot.

About me:
Family is important to me; I love spending as much time as I can with them. I also love my horses and being outside. With the time I have left in my day, I am currently learning Spanish (with a glass of Rioja on the side to get the full experience, of course).

Toma Kennedy

Administrator

What I do:
I am the home Administrator for both the Grange and the Lodge at Burcot. I provide a dedicated all-round service to the two Homes and supervise the receptionists/administrative team. I am the first point of call for all Finance and HR related queries. My team and I are enthusiastically committed to creating and sustaining good relationships with residents and their relatives alike. We are all here to help.

My experience:
I have been in the admin team, and with Burcot Lodge since it opened in 2017. I have a diverse work history, across both public and private organisations, that has given me great experience and many skills which I bring to my role. In 2019 I won the Cinnamon ‘You make the difference award’ in the Non care category.

About me:
I live in Worcestershire with my husband and two children. We love the outdoors and exploring different parts of Britain and beyond.

Adam Bristoll

Maintenance Manager

What I do:
I am the Maintenance Manager at Burcot Lodge, I am responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for all of our residents, team members and visitors.
I feel privileged to be part of a team that have very high standards and a team that are incredibly passionate, friendly, fun and welcoming. I joined the team in 2021.

My Experience:
For the last 14 years I’ve worked in a family run business fitting kitchens and bathrooms, this taught me my carpentry and joinery as well as plumbing, tiling and many other skills . These will be valuable attributes in the smooth running of the home. Prior to this I worked as a manager in a catering role where I was responsible for the staffing, standards and health and safety of the kitchen.
I’ve always been caring person and love working with likeminded carers & managers. I also love being with the residents and find this a rewarding part of my role.

About Me:
Recently I started up my old hobby of running to keep fit. When I was 18 I ran both Birmingham and London Marathons in under 3 hours each. I’ve enjoyed playing pool for many years, playing for a local team, league and also county.
My family is very important to me and I enjoy spending quality time with my wife two children and dog Bella. We enjoy weekends away in our caravan.