A Decade of Dedication and Growth
Time has flown for Nicki as she marks ten years with Moorview Care. Reflecting on the journey, she marvels at how quickly the years have passed. "No – it doesn’t feel like 10 years, it’s gone so quickly!"
Nicki has had an inspiring career in Social Care; from a Support Worker at 18 to the Leadership Team of Moorview Care. Nicki tells us why she'll never stop caring...
A Journey That Started with Determination
Nicki’s career path was shaped by personal challenges early on.
"I had my son when I was 16. People wrote me off, and said, ‘You’ll be a single mother – you should give him up.’ But I was determined; I was going to keep my baby."
That determination set the foundation for a career that would be defined by resilience and success.
Discovering Social Care was a turning point; "It was a massive eye-opener - I wanted to do better for myself. I started studying because I wanted a career, not just a job. Initially, I thought about being a midwife or a nanny - I just knew I wanted to help people. I got a job as a care assistant in the early '90s, and I was inspired by the Social Care sector."
Nicki’s journey through the industry saw her continue to progress; "I completed my NVQ2 (as it was then called) and worked my way up – from Care Worker to Support Worker on both night and day shifts, then a Senior, then Team Leader. I considered a career in Mental Health Nursing and worked for the NHS temporarily, but I realised that wasn’t where I wanted to be. I returned to my previous role and became a Deputy Manager in 1998."
By 2000, Nicki had taken on the role of scheme manager for supported living, marking her first registration as a manager — a significant career milestone.
"That was a real turning point in my career. I’m a typical ‘homegrown’ professional. I’ve been there, faced the barriers, and worked my way up.
"I eventually held three registrations and it was a big responsibility. I had great success turning around the services I was managing. I spent 11 years in a Registered Manager role, and in the end, it was more like an Area Manager position with the associated responsibilities, overseeing the performance of the whole region."
Taking a leap of faith, Nicki ventured into a Regional Director role with another company. However, this period also brought significant personal and professional challenges. "I had a period of ill health – it was a really difficult time in my life, and I was made redundant. I kept thinking, ‘I’m unemployable now – this health issue will follow me around.’"
Then, an unexpected phone call from Moorview Care founder, Carol Pycroft, changed everything. Carol said;
‘I have your CV on my desk, and I feel like all my birthdays have come at once!’
At that moment, Nicki was at an interview for another job, but Carol urged her not to accept before coming to meet with Moorview Care. Despite multiple job offers, she ultimately chose Moorview Care.
Finding the Right Fit
What drew Nicki to Moorview Care was its ethos and leadership. "I knew of Carol, Steve, and Moorview Care as a family-run business. That was one of the biggest draws – it wasn’t corporate, and it offered so much in terms of development."
"They were lovely people, and I wanted to be a part of it. I turned down the other jobs, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made."
Initially, she took a step back in her role, knowing it was an opportunity to grow. "It was a bit of a gamble. They offered me a Deputy Manager role, but I knew I could prove my worth and grow my career from there."
It's the Values That Matter
For Nicki, Moorview Care’s values align perfectly with her own."I love the values – they align with mine. And I’ve worked with and supported some amazing people. People seem to follow me wherever I go, and I’ve had incredible opportunities to witness many people as they develop and realise their goals and at the same time expand my own knowledge."
She has no interest in returning to a corporate environment:
"I never want to work for a corporate company again - I know that a family-run business is where I belong. I feel inspired every day - there’s always something new to learn."
When it comes to encouraging the next generation of Social Care professionals, Nicki insists:"Believe in yourself. I remember people telling me, ‘You’ll never do anything with your life.’ Grab every opportunity that comes your way and don’t dismiss opportunities to learn. Any and all exposure to learning and development can set you on your path."
With over 25 years of experience as a Registered Manager - four times the national average - Nicki understands the demands of a leadership role."You need strength and determination to be resilient in this job. I love coming to work. I love the challenge. This has to be something you feel motivated to do every day or you'll soon realise it's not the job for you!"
A Legacy of Quality and Excellence
Nicki’s passion lies in making a difference."I love making a difference in people’s lives. It’s incredible to look back at someone’s journey and see how far they’ve come. That progress is only possible if you set a high bar for quality."
She takes pride in the progress Moorview Care has made:
"When I joined, we took Moorview Care from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’ – that was the best feeling. I know I can improve quality, and I love doing it. I have a strong track record of maintaining an excellent CQC rating; that's something I'm really proud of."
Looking to the Future
As she reflects on the years ahead, Nicki is committed to her future with Moorview Care."I see myself retiring with Moorview Care. When I retire, I’d love to go into consulting and mentoring – I’d be bored if I didn’t have something to do! My twin grandsons will keep me busy, but I’ll always want to stay involved in caring for people in some way."
Nicki has played a vital role in shaping the way we support people, always ensuring that our values remain at the heart of everything we do. Her passion and unwavering commitment to the team and the people we support make a huge difference every day.
Nicki, thank you for everything you do – here’s to the next 10 years! 👏🎊
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