Steve Swift has joined our Alton-based residential care home as the new Registered Manager. Steve, who has worked in the Care Sector for 27 years, joined us after an extensive caring career.
“I’d always wanted to work in the Care Industry as I had, and still do have, an inbuilt need to be able to have a positive impact on somebody’s daily life, it’s one of the most rewarding elements of my role,” said Steve.
“My caring journey began after a career as a Sign Writer and Engraver, but my intrinsic and deep need to care for others, especially older people, never left me. After a range of different care roles, I helped to set-up and run a care agency for about eight and a half years and have now returned to my original ‘care roots’ working with the wonderful residents and care team at The Lawn.”
In his new role as The Lawn’s Registered Manager, Steve says that no two days are the same, but that each day is totally fulfilling. “Every morning I do my walk-about as it is very important to me that I take time to check-in on the residents and chat to them and the care team to make sure everything is OK. I really enjoy making the residents smile and listening to their life experiences,” continued Steve.
Steve’s is keen to ensure that all the residents feel safe, supported, listened to and happy in a welcoming and caring environment. “It is extremely important to me that the residents truly feel that The Lawn isn’t just a care home, but that it is their home,” added Steve.
Steve believes that celebrating achievements and engaging with each resident and providing interesting, motivating and fun activities is key to supporting the residents’ wellbeing.
To achieve this, Steve works closely with Catalina Constantin, The Lawn’s Activities Coordinator, to help craft the care home’s wide, varied and inclusive daily activities calendar for the residents to enjoy. “Both Catalina and I recognise how important meaningful engagement and activities are to the residents to not only help with their physical and mental wellbeing, but to also keep them motivated and inspired,” continued Steve.
“All the activities we host are tailored to our residents’ individual likes and preferences and include quizzes, arts and crafts sessions, seated exercise classes and movie nights to the very popular weekly Bingo! games, reminiscing sessions, visiting entertainers, sing-alongs, pamper sessions and Chapel Services and much more.”
Steve’s overarching and dedicated motivation is to support the older people he and his team care for, ensuring that everyone shows the residents the respect, compassion and empathy that they deserve.
“Being able to support and inspire older people and to have a positive impact on their day, is an amazing thing to be able to do. To give each resident reassurance and encouragement so they know that I’m listening and will do everything within my power to help them is at the heart of what I love and am committed to doing, every day,” added Steve.
Talking about Steve’s appointment, Friends of the Elderly’s Regional Director, Jan Daly said: “Steve’s enthusiasm, caring nature and his extensive and wide-ranging experience and background in the Care Sector will be a great addition to the Charity.”
“I am so proud and honoured to lead a team that holds the residents’ health, wellbeing and happiness at the heart of everything they do – and like me, each member of The Lawn’s care team do what they do because of ‘People’ – the residents, respite clients, their families, loved ones and each other. The people at, and linked to The Lawn, are absolutely the best thing about my job,” concluded Steve.
Find out more about The Lawn care home by calling 01420 84162 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.