Meet Our Team

Gina Smith

Peripatetic General Manager

What I do:
I am the Peripatetic General Manager for our lovely care home in Netley.

My experience:
My background has always been in nursing and caring for others and so naturally found myself working in care when I came to live in Bournemouth.

I developed and grew my experience into management of care settings and found that I have a great love specifically for supporting folk living with dementia.

About me:
Originally from Cape Town SA, I moved over to the UK in 2003 with my husband and twins.  I am now a grandmother of 4 beautiful children.

In my personal life I thrive on cold water swimming, walking mountains running and fund raising for charities.

Meera Daniel

Deputy Manager

What I do:
I have been working in Health & Social care over 15 years and began my career as a nurse. As a Deputy Manager I work alongside the General Manager and the care team at Netley Court. I enjoy my role as everyday can be different & challenging. I am very privileged to be part of Cinnamon Care and always to be the best at what I do. I hold NVQ level 5 in Leadership & Management and am currently studying Level 7 & MSc in Health and Social care.

My Experience:
I have completed my Nursing degree in India and worked in Cardiac Surgery. I have moved to the UK in 2008 for further studies. Prior to joining the team at Netley Court, I worked as Deputy Manager, Home manager and Care & Compliance manager.

About Me:
I live in Netley very close to Netley Court. Outside of work. I spend a lot of time with my husband and our two adorable young children when I’m not working. I enjoy playing with my kids and spending time with them by the sea in Netley.

Christine Mintrim

Homes Admission Advisor

What I do:
My role is to support families and their loved ones during the transition into residential care. This can often seem a very daunting time when difficult decisions need to be made, my job is to be there every step of the way to answer all of those questions, reassure, support and  do everything I can to ease them into their new way of life .

Netley Court truly is the most wonderful environment our residents become extended family as do their families.

My experience:
After over 25 years of residential property sales the latter part the retirement sector, I joined another care provider doing a very similar role to the one I am now doing, I loved my role then as I do now however to join the team at Netley Court was a no thought needed process as our location, facilities and care is second to none.

About me:
When I am not at Netley Court I love spending time with my two grown up sons Lewis and Charlie, my lovely partner Graham. I love to cook, spend time entertaining and also enjoy many walks with our dog teddy.

Tanya Riley

Administrator

What I do:
It is my privilege to provide the home and residents with administrative support on a daily basis.

My experience:
As a certified bookkeeper and with over 35 years of experience providing administrative support, I have worked in many sectors including finance, private healthcare and residential care, of which residential care is my favourite.

About me:
With three adult children, two dogs, a cat and a husband, I’m kept busy for most of my free time.

Dirk Helsig

Head Chef

What I do:
I am responsible for the food and beverages at Netley Court. I work as part of a close team in the kitchen preparing and cooking the varied menus that provide the nutritional content to keep our residents healthy and happy. I want to make sure that mealtimes are always an enjoyable experience and something to look forward to.

My experience:
I was born in Germany and grew up in the Black Forest where I did my culinary apprenticeship. After working in St Moritz, Stuttgart and London at places including The Ivy, I decided I wanted to travel and so I went to sea, where I spent thirty years working for various different cruise lines. For the last 15 years I have been working as Executive Chef for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, traveling all over the world, and experiencing many different styles of cuisine.

About me:
I have lived in England for over 20 years now with my English wife, and after spending so many years travelling, I am enjoying spending time at home. I like to go out for walks, visit the cinema and theatre, and am really interested in history so love to explore castles whenever I travel anywhere.

Darren Richards

Maintenance Manager

What I do:
I am the Maintenance Manager at Netley Court.

My experience:
I have worked within the construction industry for over 10 years before choosing to work in social care, leading to role of Maintenance Manager with 5 sites around the south for the last 5 years .

About me:
My life outside of work revolves around working out in the gym, swimming, fishing, DIY and being a home theatre and gaming enthusiast. I am married for 10 years and we have two cats, Jago & Mittens.