We speak with Daniel Bridges, home manager at Avery Healthcare’s Hampstead Court Care Home in North London

Why did you join the social care sector?

I was showjumping for the young riders in the British Showjumping Association and I had a really bad accident aged around 17, which caused epilepsy and back injury, so I had to give it up at the time. While I was being cared for, I had really appalling care, and I always thought I could do better, in the way I could make people feel, make sure the care was person-centred, everything I didn’t get. It gave me a drive to make a difference and be the difference in social care. I started as a night carer when I was 18 and have worked my way up through senior carer, head of care, deputy manager, to registered manager.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

It’s two things, my residents and my staff. It’s achieving great outcomes to make a difference to people’s lives and creating outstanding places for people to live and work. It is empowering my residents; one lady we care for in Hampstead Court has a dementia diagnosis but we have got her back swimming regularly – it is about keeping people within their local communities and feeling inclusive.

Who is your social care hero and why?

It is most people who work in social care – whether you are a housekeeper or kitchen assistant or care assistant, we can’t work without any of them. I have true admiration for everyone who works in social care and really does make a difference to people’s lives.

What’s the one thing you would change about social care?

I want to spread the message that social care is fun and take away the stigma. I always try to do that on my socials, having 10,000 followers on LinkedIn. I try to do it to attract younger people into the sector; social care is sometimes seen as the last resort for a career but it should be the first that you think of.

What, in your opinion, makes a great care worker?

They always say you can teach someone a qualification but you can’t teach them to care. A great care worker has a good heart and genuinely wants to make a difference to someone’s life and wellbeing with their contributions to their daily routines. It needs to be someone that is emotionally strong, because we bring a lot of emotion into our daily life, a very driven individual who gets up every morning and wants to keep those residents as independent as possible, to enable them, empower them and achieve the best possible outcomes.

What do you do when life all gets a bit too much?

Over the years I have learned there has to be a work and private life balance, although it doesn’t stop you thinking and caring; you don’t just leave the home at six at night and think that’s it, I have closed the door until tomorrow. For me, I do my family time, I like showjumping which is my huge passion and spending time with my friends and family, and I love eating, going to really nice restaurants, that is my favourite thing.

Which three famous people would you have to dinner and why?

I quite liked Theresa May. Jennifer Hudson, the singer and actress, she has the most amazing voice. And Adele, she is hilarious.

What three items would you bring with you on a desert island?

Definitely a horse, definitely nice food, and I would have to say my mobile.

What’s your secret talent?

It’s the showjumping. I have just spent a week showjumping in Liverpool. I had to give it up when I was younger but I have been jumping again competitively for the last three years. I don’t think it ever leaves you. I had so many years out, then decided to come back to it and it is the best decision I ever made.

What advice would you give your younger self?

There’s a solution to every problem. Ten years ago I was very much “this is the way we have to do it”, but I have realised that whatever is thrown at you, especially when we went through Covid – there’s always a solution. Together everybody achieves more; you can’t do the job alone