From Hairdresser to Deputy Manager

From Salon to Senior Leadership: Gemma's Inspiring Journey at Meallmore

Every care home has its pillars. The people who go above and beyond. The ones who step in, step up, and never stop learning. Often they begin quietly. A shift here. A helping hand there. Before long, they become the people families rely on, colleagues turn to, and leaders trust.

At Meallmore, one of those people is Gemma, now Deputy Manager at Antonine House. Her progression is not only a personal success story. It is a powerful example of what is possible when talent, support, training and compassion come together.

This is the story of how a part-time hairdresser became one of Meallmore's emerging leaders, shaped by resilience, learning and a deep commitment to person-centred care. It also reflects Meallmore's approach to career pathways: growing people from within, investing in learning and creating opportunities for colleagues to build meaningful careers.

A Beginning in an Unexpected Place

When Gemma left school at sixteen, she did what many young people do. She followed a practical path and began working in a local salon. She stayed there for years, building confidence, working with the public and developing her natural people skills. At the time, she had no idea these early experiences would someday help shape her leadership style.

A phone call changed everything. Antonine House reached out to ask if she would be interested in becoming their in-house hairdresser. For a young mum trying to balance childcare with work, the timing could not have been better. Her son had just started nursery. Her husband worked long hours. The job offered flexibility and stability. It simply made sense.

What she did not expect was how deeply she would connect with the residents. In her early shifts, she worried that she had little experience with older adults, especially those living with dementia or complex needs. But almost instantly, something clicked.

She found herself listening to life stories, forming bonds and discovering compassion she had not yet explored. She even completed the HEARTS course at Strathcarron Hospice, a training programme focused on gentle touch, sensory connection, and supporting residents during high-stress or end-of-life moments. It helped her understand how to comfort residents and support their families through difficult times. Those early days planted the seed of something bigger.

A Calling Revealed

Gradually, Gemma became more involved in the home. When colleagues were off on annual leave, she stepped in. She provided support where it was needed. She helped residents outside of her hairdressing role. The more she did, the more she realised that care was where she belonged.

She fell in love with the work. She saw the difference she could make. She developed a natural instinct for support, comfort and connection.

"I realised I was exactly where I needed to be," she says.

When the pandemic arrived, everything changed again. Hairdressing paused. Families were separated. Anxiety was everywhere. Instead of stepping back, Gemma chose to step forward. She helped with staff testing. She supported the office team. She ensured colleagues and residents felt reassured. Her manager at the time, Amanda, recognised her potential and asked what she truly wanted. It gave her the push she needed to commit fully to a career in care.

With her husband furloughed and childcare more manageable, she leapt into full-time care. From that moment, she never looked back.

Training That Transformed a Career

If there is one word that defines Gemma's journey, it is learning. She embraced every opportunity to develop. Every qualification and programme became a building block in her progression.

She completed SVQ3. She took part in Meallmore's Upskill Senior Carer programme. She became responsible for running her unit, supporting colleagues and being someone people naturally approached for advice. Her confidence grew alongside her responsibility.

Later, she became a Senior Carer Practitioner, which brought new training, Meallmore's self-directed learning programme and her SVQ4. In 2024, she joined Meallmore's Leadership and Management programme. It was one of the most defining moments in her career.

The programme broadened her understanding of the business side of care. It taught her about leadership, compliance, finance, communication, and decision-making. At the end, she presented to Meallmore's Board of Directors on end-of-life care. Standing in front of senior leaders, speaking passionately about a subject she deeply cares about, marked a turning point. She learned she could lead not just at the team level but also at the organisational level.

Learning did not just build her skills. It built her belief in herself.

Stepping Up When It Mattered Most

In March 2025, Gemma was promoted to Team Leader, stepping up to support the Deputy Manager in running the home.

To Gemma, this was a "huge responsibility". But everything she had learned became useful. She handled compliance tasks, audits, professional relationships, staffing challenges and complex resident needs. Together, they improved the home's Care Inspectorate grades and strengthened internal audit outcomes.

When the Deputy Manager was later seconded to another Meallmore home, Gemma was offered the chance to step into the Deputy role at Antonine House. It was daunting. But when she looked back at how far she had come, she realised she was ready.

What Drives Her Work Every Day

Gemma's motivation is simple. It comes from a personal experience with care that left a lasting mark. She once witnessed non-person-centred care from the other side as a family member. She knows how it feels when loved ones are not supported the way they should be. She vowed never to allow anyone in her care to feel that way. A sentiment echoed by everyone here at Meallmore.

That promise drives her daily. It shapes her decisions, her leadership, her compassion and her commitment to high standards. It is the reason she pushes herself to continually learn. For her, this is not just a job. It is a purpose.

Becoming a Deputy Manager

Today, as Deputy Manager, she sees her role as an opportunity to lift others up. She wants to mentor staff the way she was mentored. She wants to create an environment where colleagues feel confident, valued and capable. She wants residents to feel safe, respected and understood.

Her vision is simple. Support people well. Listen. Lead by example. Maintain high standards. Live the Meallmore values every day. She knows what it feels like to start with no experience. She knows how powerful support and opportunity can be. Through her leadership, she hopes to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

Gemma's journey is one person's story, but it reflects something much bigger. It shows what happens when an organisation believes in career pathways, invests in development and recognises potential early. It shows how a supportive culture can change the trajectory of someone's life. It demonstrates the impact of training, mentorship and opportunity.

Her progression showcases everything Meallmore stands for. Growth. Learning. Values. Compassion. High standards. A commitment to building great places to live and work.

Most importantly, it shows future colleagues what is possible. At Meallmore, there is no set starting point. A carer can become a senior. A senior can become a practitioner. A practitioner can become a leader. A hairdresser can become a deputy manager. Gemma is living proof of that.

Join us in congratulating Gemma on her new role as Deputy Manager at Antonine House.