Peter has owned and managed The Hollies for more than 30 years, bringing a wealth of clinical knowledge, leadership and experience to the home.
He began his career in the National Health Service, where he qualified in General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing and Healthcare Management. Peter later became Director of Nursing for a PLC healthcare company based in Brighton before deciding to fulfil his ambition of owning and operating his own care home.
Together with his wife, Helen, Peter opened their first care home in Dartford in 1986 before purchasing The Hollies in 1988. Since then, he has overseen the home’s development from a small eight-bedroom residence into the thriving 40-bed care home it is today, while always maintaining its warm, family-centred atmosphere and commitment to high-quality care.
Helen has been at the heart of The Hollies since its beginnings, combining her nursing experience with a genuine passion for providing compassionate, person-centred care.
After qualifying as an Enrolled Nurse within the National Health Service in 1985, Helen briefly served in the Royal Air Force before taking up a position as a District Nurse in Brighton. In 1986, she and Peter established their first care home in Dartford, where she played a key role in developing the home’s care services and ensuring residents received the highest standards of support.
Following the purchase of The Hollies in 1988, Helen continued to play an integral part in the home’s growth and success, helping to shape the caring, welcoming environment that residents and families value today. Alongside her professional achievements, she has also raised their two sons, balancing family life with her ongoing commitment to the home.
At The Hollies, we believe exceptional care starts with exceptional people. Our experienced leadership team is committed to creating a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where residents receive the highest standard of person-centred care.
Lauren has been part of The Hollies team since 2013 and plays a key role in the day-to-day management and continued success of the home.
With a degree in Payroll and Business Management, together with several accounting qualifications, Lauren works closely with Peter and Helen to ensure the business operates efficiently and remains fully compliant with all financial, legal and regulatory requirements.
In addition to overseeing the home’s financial and operational functions, Lauren provides HR support for our staff and is often one of the first friendly faces to welcome residents, relatives and visitors. She is always happy to assist with enquiries and help families throughout their journey with us.
Howell is our Registered Manager and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in health and social care.
Originally trained as a Physiotherapist, Howell has many years of experience managing care services and is passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred care. He leads by example and is a visible, hands-on manager who works closely alongside the team, supporting both residents and staff every day.
Howell is always available to answer questions, provide reassurance and ensure that residents receive the compassionate care they deserve.
Joanna is our Deputy Manager and has extensive experience in health and social care, with particular expertise in safeguarding and quality assurance.
She works closely with Howell to support the smooth running of the home and takes responsibility for managing the service in his absence. Jo is highly respected by both residents and colleagues and is known for her approachable, caring nature and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care.
Our experienced Team Leaders provide invaluable support to both residents and staff. During the day, our team is led by Sally, Kay, Teresa and Angela, while Jackie and Lorraine lead our dedicated night team.
Together, they oversee our team of Senior Care Assistants and Care Assistants, ensuring residents receive compassionate, responsive and professional care at all times. Through ongoing supervision, mentoring and training, they work alongside Howell and Jo to maintain the high standards that families have come to expect from The Hollies.
We are proud to employ a team of passionate, caring and dedicated professionals who are committed to making a positive difference to residents’ lives every day.
We believe that investing in our staff is essential to providing outstanding care. Every new employee completes a comprehensive induction programme and receives the training and support needed to become a valued member of our team.
We actively encourage career development and support staff in gaining recognised qualifications, including NVQs and other vocational awards, whether they work in care, catering, housekeeping, administration or maintenance.
All employees complete mandatory training in areas including:
Alongside mandatory training, our staff regularly undertake additional specialist training to ensure they continue developing their knowledge and skills throughout their careers.
We are also proud to have 15 trained Fire Marshals who have completed advanced fire safety and prevention training, helping to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our home.
Our senior care staff members all have a “Lead” area they manage:
Angela – Medication and Infection Management Lead
Ellen – Moving & Handling Lead
Howell – Infection Control, Mental Health, Medication, Oral Health, Safeguarding, Moving & Handling Leads
Hollie – Moving & Handling, Infection Control & Safeguarding (Nights)
Joanna – Infection Control, Mental Health, Medication, Oral Health, Safe Guarding, Moving & Handling Lead
Kay – Moving & Handling & Medication Lead
Kayleigh – Nutrition & First Aid Lead
Teresa – Mental Health, Continence & First Aid Lead
Sally – Infection Control Lead
Rebecca – Accident & Injury Lead
Behind every great care home is a dedicated support team. Our housekeeping, laundry, catering and maintenance teams work tirelessly every day to ensure The Hollies remains clean, comfortable, safe and welcoming for residents, visitors and staff alike.
We are committed to creating a positive working environment where every member of staff feels valued and supported. Our open-door culture means colleagues can approach the management team at any time for advice or support, whether work-related or personal.
One of the things we are particularly proud of is that we do not rely on agency staff. Our low staff turnover allows residents to build lasting relationships with familiar faces, providing the consistency, trust and continuity of care that are so important in helping people feel truly at home.