Corton House: manager@cortonhouse.co.uk | (01603) 620119
Brakendon Close: l.chandler@cortonhouse.co.uk | (01603) 622957
In 1951 a new development was taking place on the corner of City Road and Corton Road where St Marks Vicarage had stood prior to being bombed during the 2nd World War. It was being built following a public appeal from the Free Church Council to provide the first purpose built voluntary run home for older people in England.
The idea for Corton House came after an Eventide Home in Chester Place had been so successful that it was decided to raise funds to build on the bombed site.
A Management Committee which included The Reverend and Mrs Sydney Myers was appointed and Youngs of Norwich Builders who were based opposite the site were given the contract to build the home.
In 1952 the Lord Mayor, Mr Eric Hinde, turned the key in the main front door and opened Corton House. The staff consisted of a Matron, Deputy Matron, day and night attendants and trained domestic help. As time has moved on we have continued to build on to Corton House and increased our rooms to 42 with a staff of 60.
We then built and opened our Warden controlled sheltered housing complex, Brakendon Close in 1970 which consists of flats and bungalows.
As a not-for-profit home with charitable status and a Christian ethos we pride ourselves on the quality of care and respect given to those who live with us. This is enhanced by our loyal and dedicated staff of which seventeen have over ten years service.
In August 2017 we were delighted to open 16 new independent living flats, finished to very high standards. This saw Brakedon Close grow to its current capacity of 51 residences, in this quiet location adjacent to Corton House.
Members of Staff
Our home is run by a team of 60 staff covering all aspects of care; we also have a voluntary Chaplain.
Our staff receive regular training which we believe is vital to enhance the knowledge and skills of our team. All our care supervisors are NVQ level 3 qualified and most of our care staff have an NVQ level 2 or 3 qualification. Other staff training includes fire, first aid, safeguarding vulnerable adults, end of life care and funeral awareness, infection control and any further training which can help in personal and professional development.
Our Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees consists of qualified professional people who willingly give their services on a voluntary basis. They are responsible for the governance of Corton House Ltd in accordance with its Rules and Strategic Goals. Our Board has a wide- ranging and diverse background. If you feel you have skills which could enhance our team we would love to hear from you.
Tom’s career started in Finance, at PKF Gt Yarmouth, working for two years in Accounts Preparation whilst completing his AAT qualification. He moved directly onto his ACCA qualification, as he moved across into Financial Audit; over the next six years Tom progressed through the audit ranks, completing his ACCA in two and a half years with first time passes throughout.
In this time, he continued to develop his skills, lead audits across a huge variety of clients, markets and industries, as well as project managing Audit Teams. Tom worked with clients of all sizes and functions, and some highly recognisable names within Norwich.
In early 2019 a change of career loomed, as Tom decided to make the popular move from Practice accountancy to Industry. Tom started his role at Corton House in June 2019, as Head of Finance, and in January 2022 took on the role of General Manager.
Richard joined Corton House in January 2022 following 33 years working in the NHS as a nurse, most recently as a Matron in a large hospital in Norwich.
Three decades of experience in the NHS and other care settings has shown him that the key to providing the highest quality services lies in effective staff development and support, regular reflective practice, and above all fully engaging with residents and relatives for the best outcomes.
Before starting on his journey in care, Richard worked in various jobs including a year working as a stagehand in the West End of London. He has been playing the drums since his late teens, and other than music, outside work, his time is mostly devoted to family - luckily, he loves cooking, and keeping everyone fed has become a hobby.
Maria has been a qualified yoga teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga for 10 years. She specialises in yoga for the over 60's and for people with Parkinson's Disease. She also has a qualification in Psychology. She has completed several courses since joining Corton House in 2010 including Dementia and Care of the Dying. Maria has recently completed her NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care.
Rhonwen began her nursing career at St Bartholomew Hospital in London in 1969. In 1990, she became a lay minister in the Church of England and continued to combine both nursing and preaching.
She was ordained in June 2008 in Norwich Cathedral and subsequently became honorary Chaplain to her patients in the dialysis unit at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.
Rhonwen retired from nursing in 2017 in order to care for her husband Andrew at home. Now widowed, she continues to take services in churches around the county as requested.
Taking up the role of Chaplain at Corton House in January 2022, she offers worship services on a weekly basis as well as pastoral care and a listening ear for residents, tenants and staff alike.
One of our longest-serving members of staff, Deborah originally joined Corton House as our Activities Coordinator and part time Senior Carer, later becoming a full time Senior Team member.
She has been the In-house manual handling trainer since 2001.
Deborah became the In-house trainer in November 2011 after being Joint Head of Care for over five years.
She is NVQ 5 qualified, an NVQ Assessor and has completed Leadership and Management training. She also supervises Health and Safety.
Deborah became a dementia coach in November 2013 with ongoing training through 2014.
"Getting that thank you from a resident, however big or small, just makes my day and that's the whole reason I work in care."
Imogen began her career as a copywriter, moving into marketing and content creation for fashion, music and arts brands. Having spent several years freelancing alongside caring for her young children, Imogen decided in 2021 the time had come to move back into an in-house role, looking for something in the third sector that would allow her to bring her creative skills to an area where she could make a real difference. She found the perfect match for this in Corton House – a not for profit organisation in care for the right reasons.
Joining Corton House in October 2021, Imogen’s role is twofold. Firstly, she helps drive innovation and expansion within the organisation’s community outreach, strengthening links with local churches, charities and businesses as well as raising additional funds that help to deliver projects within the care home and independent living scheme. Secondly – she tells the world about all this (the easy part!)
When she is not at work Imogen enjoys working her way through the small library of books accumulated on her bedside table, listening to music, visiting galleries and letting off steam somewhere green and leafy with her children.
Find out more about working at Corton House on our vacancies page.
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In this new era of Covid-19 we are working hard to continue delivering our usual excellent standards of care, maintaining our treasured residents’ wellbeing and quality of life while simultaneously adhering to the stringent safety and infection control practices that the pandemic demands. Protecting your loved one is as important to us as it is to you, so we are adopting a cautious approach and continually reviewing and updating our protocols above and beyond national guidance.