Cotman House

As the Home Manager at Cotman House Care Home, I lead a professional team in providing the highest standards of residential care for up to 61 residents. I started my career in care working in domiciliary care, quickly rising to senior carer then coordinator. Following a career evaluation, I decided to move into residential care and started working in a nursing home in Ipswich, where I specialised in dementia and palliative care.

I was then offered my first management role as Deputy Manager of another home and following support from the home manager, I gained my management qualification and I have never looked back.

Care is so important to me as having nursed my husband and mother, I have seen things from ‘the other side’, which gives me an insight into what is important to residents and their family members.  Supporting them to make their choices known and discussing the options available to them helps to empower their choice.

I like that every day is different and the highlights for me are making residents smile, walking the home and spotting things that will make a difference to residents lives. Supporting and developing the team around me is also something that is important to me, as this enhances the resident’s lives and drives outstanding care, so they can have the most fulfilled lives possible.

My love of dogs, of which I have 5 plays a significant role in my life. I rescue dogs – mostly blind – through Blind Dog Rescue UK. I like to live life to the full and experience new things, so a couple of years ago I went to work on a ranch in South Dakota & Wyoming herding buffalo and longhorn. In the future I plan to wing-walk on the top of a bi-plane.

Our commitment to care

We offer a full range of residential support options at Cotman House Care Home – including trial stays, short-stay breaks and convalescent care. Our home is fully registered with the Care Quality Commission, as well as having both ISO9001/2000 and Hospitality Assured accreditation.

At Cotman House Care Home we have a highly skilled and passionate Care Team. As the Home Manager, I have a qualified nursing background and strive to lead my professional Care Team in providing the highest standards of person-centred care.

How we ensure the wellbeing of our residents

Cotman Care Home is our residents’ homes, and we never lose sight of that. Our home is light and spacious, with a welcoming atmosphere and great links to the local community.

Visiting

We have an open visiting policy at Cotman House Care Home, so friends and family may visit residents at the times which are most convenient for them.

Location

We are conveniently located within easy level walking distance of all the amenities in the town centre – including a post office, shops, library, community centre and bus routes. We are also within easy reach of all the town’s medical facilities – with four different GP practices, a local general hospital and minor injuries unit.

Historical note

Cotman House Care Home is named after the well-known and prolific architect Thomas W. Cotman (1847-1925) who designed many of the most famous buildings in Felixstowe. His works include the Railway Station, Harvest House (Felix Hotel), the Orwell and Bath Hotels, both Barclays and Lloyds Banks – plus many others.

Thomas Cotman also designed and lived in the original bungalow that forms the lower two floors of Cotman Lodge. He was the nephew of John Sell Cotman, the famous Norwich water-colour artist.