Team case studies

We’re proud to champion talent from within. Meet three of our leaders who have risen through the ranks.

 

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a light purple uniform with a white collar, smiles at the camera against a light, blurred background.

Alice Mitroi, RGN MSc - Home Manager

“I soon realised this was a special kind of place – not your usual care home. I felt supported and at home straight away.”

Alice joined Royal Alfred in November 2016 as a Staff Nurse. She became Deputy Clinical Manager the following year and stepped up to the role of Home Manager in 2020. With a master’s degree in health and social care and a diploma in dementia care, Alice is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and leading her team to do the same.

What first attracted you to working at Royal Alfred?
I was recruited through an agency and didn’t know much about Royal Alfred at the start. I soon realised this was a special kind of place, not your usual care home, and I quickly felt supported and at home.

What’s been the best thing about working with us?
The career development is second to none. I feel supported and stretched in a good way. Thanks to the professional development, I was given the opportunity to become Deputy Home Manager in 2017, rising to Home Manager at the end of 2020.

What are you most proud of?
I graduated from the University of Bucharest in 2015 with a master’s degree in health & social care and have been in the care industry since the age of 19. I’ve always wanted to progress in my career because I feel it’s a way to make an even bigger impact. I also have a diploma in dementia care and am proud of the work we do with our residents who have dementia. I’m honoured to be Home Manager and I’m so proud of my team.

A nurse in a red uniform with a name badge walks down a well-lit hallway, holding a purple folder and smiling at the camera.
A caregiver in red helps two elderly women, one in green and one in red, with a painting activity at a table. Art supplies, cups, and paper are laid out in front of them.
A group of elderly people sit around a table in a care home, painting and coloring pictures. A caregiver assists them. Various paints, brushes, and art supplies are spread across the table.
A nurse in a red uniform serves a plate of food to an elderly man in a wheelchair at a dining table. The man wears glasses and a burgundy bib. Bright flowers and tableware are on the table in a cozy room.
An elderly woman in a wheelchair wearing a red sweater is comforted by a nurse in red scrubs who leans down, placing a supportive arm around her shoulders inside a bright, indoor setting.
Group of fundraisers in blue T-shirts holding a banner outside the Royal Alfred care home
A man wearing glasses and a maroon shirt stands on a stepladder, holding a power tool, working near the ceiling of a room under renovation. There’s a window and exposed wiring in the background.
A group of people in uniform listen to a man explaining equipment in an industrial room with exposed pipes, wires, and electrical panels. Safety warning signs are visible on the machinery.
A man stands in a partially finished room, smiling at the camera while plastering a wall. He wears a black shirt and dark pants. A broom, orange bucket, and cleaning supplies are on the floor nearby.
A man in a dark uniform is kneeling on grass beside a small tree, placing or inspecting a small brown box at the trees base in a garden outside a brick building.
A large, two-story house with white walls, red brick details, and a sloped roof. The front garden has green grass, blooming daffodils, bushes, and a stone pathway leading to the entrance.

Nick Potroanchenu, Estates Manager

“I get to put all my different skills into practice.”

Nick joined Royal Alfred in 2012 as a Maintenance Assistant after working on-site during a refurbishment project. With a background in building and construction, he now leads the Estates Team, managing everything from facilities and safety to the charity’s fleet of vehicles.

What first attracted you to working at Royal Alfred?
It was by chance, really! I was working for a company refurbishing the ground floor of Belvedere House (now The Princess Wing) when I saw an advert for a maintenance role. I really liked the feel of the place and so applied.

What’s been the best thing about working with us?
The development and support I’ve received have enabled me to grow into my role. I love the variety too. Before coming to the UK, I trained as a builder in Romania and worked on large construction projects, and so I get to put all my different skills into practice.

What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of my team – I manage four people, as well as source and coordinate the work of many contractors. Together, we manage the estate, look after the fleet of vehicles, and are accountable for everyone’s health and safety. I find immense satisfaction in knowing a job has been completed successfully, the home is running smoothy, and the residents and tenants are happy.

Louise Watson, Housekeeping Manager

“The Royal Alfred has been like a second home to me.”

Louise has grown into her role as Housekeeping Manager through dedication, professionalism and a genuine commitment to our residents. Having worked closely with her predecessor, Shirley, she built strong foundations in infection control, compliance and team leadership.

Now leading the department, Louise ensures consistently high standards of cleanliness, safety and dignity throughout the home. Her calm, supportive approach provides stability for both residents and colleagues, creating an environment where people feel comfortable and respected.

Louise’s progression reflects our commitment to developing talent from within and maintaining continuity of care.


Two staff members in uniforms work in a hallway. One man sorts blue bins labeled with names, while a woman walks past a clothes rack with hanging shirts. Both appear to be working in a care or hospital setting.
A neatly made hospital bed with a brown quilt and a plaid blanket at the foot, in a warmly lit room with a chair, table, window with floral curtains, and a vase of yellow flowers.
A healthcare worker in a green uniform folds clothes in a bright, tidy room with large windows and patterned curtains. Medical equipment and a folded blanket are visible nearby.
A man in a white uniform places folded towels into a blue storage cart with labeled bins in a well-lit hallway.
An elderly woman with short gray hair and a colorful scarf sits on a neatly made bed in a cozy, well-lit bedroom, smiling gently at the camera. There are personal items, photos, and a lamp in the background.
A man in a pilot’s uniform sits on the edge of a hospital bed in a well-lit room with medical equipment, framed art, and a window with patterned curtains in the background.

Life aboard the Royal Alfred

Anchored in community and full of heart. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for a window into life on the Weston Acres estate.

royalalfredseafarers

👀✨ Sneak peek...
A wall filled with wisdom. 💙

Residents and staff have been sharing their favourite life lessons, advice and reflections, helping us create something very special at Royal Alfred.

This Sunday, some special guests will be joining us to discover the display and share a morning of conversation and connection.

The words themselves are staying under wraps for now... 🤫

More to come soon!

#RoyalAlfred #WordsOfWisdom #SneakPeek #ComingSoon #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CommunitySpirit #CareHomeLife #MakingConnections

View Instagram post by royalalfredseafarers

Oct 10

Open post by royalalfredseafarers with ID 18089933009242084
👀✨ Sneak peek... A wall filled with wisdom. 💙 Residents and staff have been sharing their favourite life lessons, advice and reflections, helping us create something very special at Royal Alfred. This Sunday, some special guests will be joining us to discover the display and share a morning of conversation and connection. The words themselves are staying under wraps for now... 🤫 More to come soon! #RoyalAlfred #WordsOfWisdom #SneakPeek #ComingSoon #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CommunitySpirit #CareHomeLife #MakingConnections

royalalfredseafarers

🍂 A lovely October awaits at Royal Alfred 🍂

A new month means lots more to enjoy!

🌿 Days out and new places to explore
🎨 Getting creative
🎶 Music and entertainment
🐾 Cuddles and companionship with Bailey
🧠 Quizzes and games
💆 A little pampering
💪 Keeping active
🎃 And some spooky fun to finish the month!

We’re also looking forward to the National Seafarers Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a special opportunity to come together with the wider seafaring and veterans community and honour the maritime heritage so close to Royal Alfred’s heart. ⚓

For us, activities aren’t simply about keeping busy. They’re about friendship, choice, laughter, staying connected and having something to look forward to. 😊

Thank you to our fantastic Health & Wellbeing Team for bringing so much variety and joy to life at Royal Alfred.

Bring on October! 🍂💙

#RoyalAlfred #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #OctoberActivities #CareHomeLife #Seafarers #Veterans #Wellbeing #CareHomeActivities #DementiaCare #MakingEveryDayCount

View Instagram post by royalalfredseafarers

Sep 29

Open post by royalalfredseafarers with ID 17923856991203145
🍂 A lovely October awaits at Royal Alfred 🍂 A new month means lots more to enjoy! 🌿 Days out and new places to explore 🎨 Getting creative 🎶 Music and entertainment 🐾 Cuddles and companionship with Bailey 🧠 Quizzes and games 💆 A little pampering 💪 Keeping active 🎃 And some spooky fun to finish the month! We’re also looking forward to the National Seafarers Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a special opportunity to come together with the wider seafaring and veterans community and honour the maritime heritage so close to Royal Alfred’s heart. ⚓ For us, activities aren’t simply about keeping busy. They’re about friendship, choice, laughter, staying connected and having something to look forward to. 😊 Thank you to our fantastic Health & Wellbeing Team for bringing so much variety and joy to life at Royal Alfred. Bring on October! 🍂💙 #RoyalAlfred #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #OctoberActivities #CareHomeLife #Seafarers #Veterans #Wellbeing #CareHomeActivities #DementiaCare #MakingEveryDayCount

royalalfredseafarers

💙 Right care. Right place. A more supported journey.

We’re proud to see our CEO, Dr Peter Inkpen, featured in @thecarer_uk , discussing how we can better support people living with #dementia as they move from hospital into the next stage of their care.

For residents and their loved ones, leaving hospital can sometimes bring uncertainty as well as relief. Having the right care, the right environment and compassionate people around you can make all the difference.

At Royal Alfred, we see every day how much a calm, welcoming and person-centred approach matters. Care isn`t simply about meeting someone`s needs. It`s about knowing the person, respecting their individuality and helping them feel safe, valued and at home. 💙

We`re pleased to see this important conversation being shared with the wider care community, and thank The Carer for featuring the article.

#RoyalAlfred #DementiaCare #CareWithCompassion #PersonCentredCare #DementiaAwareness #SocialCare #CareHomeLife #OlderPeopleCare

View Instagram post by royalalfredseafarers

Sep 28

Open post by royalalfredseafarers with ID 18221460274338112
💙 Right care. Right place. A more supported journey. We’re proud to see our CEO, Dr Peter Inkpen, featured in @thecarer_uk , discussing how we can better support people living with #dementia as they move from hospital into the next stage of their care. For residents and their loved ones, leaving hospital can sometimes bring uncertainty as well as relief. Having the right care, the right environment and compassionate people around you can make all the difference. At Royal Alfred, we see every day how much a calm, welcoming and person-centred approach matters. Care isn't simply about meeting someone's needs. It's about knowing the person, respecting their individuality and helping them feel safe, valued and at home. 💙 We're pleased to see this important conversation being shared with the wider care community, and thank The Carer for featuring the article. #RoyalAlfred #DementiaCare #CareWithCompassion #PersonCentredCare #DementiaAwareness #SocialCare #CareHomeLife #OlderPeopleCare