Meet Our Team

Candice O’Neill

General Manager

What I Do:
I’m so proud to be the leader of a successful team where everyone puts their heart and soul into everything they do in their day-to-day duties, making a real difference to the lives of people who live at Rivermede Court. We all share the common goal of putting our residents first and ensuring the highest level of care.
I am delighted to join Cinnamon as their dedication to offering luxury living with exceptional care is a vision shared by me.

My Experience:
I have worked in the care industry since 1998 and been a registered manager in different settings supporting people with varied needs since 2004, with a background in working with the elderly and in dementia care.
Before starting at Cinnamon I was the registered manager of a residential home which had received an Outstanding CQC rating twice in a row.

About Me:
I believe that being part of something so special is a true privilege and I relish the opportunity to deliver exceptional person-centred care in a Beautiful Luxury home.

Manon James-Mallinger

Deputy Manager

What I do:
I started work at Rivermede Court last year as a Team Leader and have recently been promoted to Deputy Manager. I am enjoying my new role and all the challenges it brings. I am looking forward to growing the fantastic team at Rivermede Court and in helping to deliver excellent person centred care.

My experience:
Originally from Luxembourg, I came to the UK in 2006 and have worked in the care sector ever since I started as a Care Assistant and I have worked my way up from Carer to Senior Carer to Care Manager. I have worked in different care settings mostly homes that provided nursing care. My passion lies within the care sector and my ambition is to make a positive difference in people‘s lives.

About me:
I have recently gotten married. It only took 14 years but we got there in the end. In my spare time I like to meet with friends, have coffee and watch the world go by. I also enjoy reading a good book.

Sarah

Deputy Manager

What I do:
I am Deputy Manager of Rivermede Court and focus mainly on managing the dementia community. My role is to support the care team to offer a high level of personalised care and to ensure that the residents feel safe and well looked after.

My experience:
My first ever care role was in 1983 at a day centre for senior care but my career changed as I went to work in the motor industry. My passion for senior care never left me and finally  in 2006 I felt I  had finally come home when my journey within the care sector restarted. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work within a team where we can support our residents with their new  journey understanding their needs. Ensuring that we are able to deliver exceptional person centred care is my passion.  Everyday is different but it brings me joy seeing our residents happy and well care for. Our residents stories and their past achievements gave me the motivation to gain my registered managers award.

About me:
I enjoy meeting up with friends and family and love going to music weekends.

Rose Strutt

Head housekeeper

What I do:
My main role is to support the housekeeping team and to provide the highest standards of cleanliness in Rivermede Court for the residents.

Experience:
I have been Head Housekeeper for 15 years in the care industry and have now come to Cinnamon Care. I feel very privileged to be working with such a professional team.

About me:
In my spare time I enjoy decorating, walking my dogs and spending time with my family, especially my 8 grandchildren.

Nicky Hazel

Home Admissions Advisor

What I do:
My role is to support families who are searching for care for their loved ones. It is a real privilege to be in this position and to be able to help families through this process which can often be stressful and emotional. All of the residents are treated as individuals and we are committed to consistently deliver high quality care. The whole team are passionate about their roles and in making every day a good day. Watching as new residents to Rivermede thrive in a different environment is an absolute pleasure. Seeing them making friends and companions is real job satisfaction, but the best feedback of all is when a resident says ‘I wish I had made the move earlier’.

My experience:
I have over 10 years experience in this role and every day is different. It’s lovely to get to know future residents and their families. I feel fortunate as I really enjoy what I do and coming to work each day.

About me:
I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I like to go to the West End for a meal and a show.

Hanka Vlhova

Activity Co-Ordinator

What I Do:
I’m the Activity Co-Ordinator at Rivermede Court and my role is to compose activities and events for our residents that are inclusive, enjoyable and exciting. As well as organising events within the home I also like to arrange visits to local attractions and events. This helps to promote a social network for our residents. My role includes activity plans based on wellbeing, mental stimulation, physical well -being and of course the most important ingredient fun.

My Experience:
I am a qualified hairdresser, however for the past 20 years I have been working with children, starting as an au-pair all the way to teaching assistant and cub scout leader. I am a great believer in being part of the community and have helped out with organising events and fundraising in the local area.

About me:
I am family-oriented person. I love spending time with my two lovely children and my partner enjoying adventures, trips or just staying home playing board games – I love playing board games and I am up for any challenge! My hobbies are cooking, baking, any types of craft, gardening and scouting.

Sharon Smith

Administrator

What I do
I am the administrator for the home and I deal with a variety of tasks including recruitment, HR admin, payroll to name just a few. I also manage and support the reception team.

My Experience
This is my first role in a care setting, but I have had many years of experience in administration roles. I have been working at Rivermede Court for 8 weeks and I absolutely love my job. It feels like a privilege to be able to come to work in such beautiful surroundings and to be met by so many smiling faces every morning.

About me
I have 2 daughters and a Jackapoo called Bella. I love music and can be found dancing with the residents when we have musical entertainers in the home!

Dhivakar Sethuraj

Head Chef

What I do:
I am the Head chef at Rivermede Court, Egham. An ambitious and well-rounded chef with over 20 years of experience at noted establishments such as Hyatt, Centre Parcs, Carnival Cruise Lines, Taj hotels.

As a head chef at Rivermede Court, I am proud to lead my professional hospitality team in delivering the highest standards of food and service care for elderly residents at Rivermede Court. According to our resident’s personal preferences I prepare all the dishes presented in our menu with seasonal fresh ingredients.
Maintaining strong relationships with Rivermede Team is important to me and I understand the contribution that these relationships make to the successful running of a kitchen in a care home setting.

Mariano Conceicao

Maintenance Manager

What I do:
I am the Maintenance Manager of Rivermede Court, responsible for the Maintenance Department in the home. Since joining this amazing team at Cinnamon my daily aim is to deliver the best person centred care to all our residents and see the smiles on residents faces as I help them make the space they are living their own.

My Experience:
I’ve been living in UK for 5 years now developing my career as Facilities Manager. I work closely with the Housekeeping Team to ensure that we provide the high standards and I absolutely love what I do, helping to consistently deliver an outstanding service that the residents deserve.

About me:
I am Portuguese, from Madeira Island more specifically. I love to travel and to spend time with family and friends. One other passion I have is cars.