Oliver’s Journey to Day Opportunities Lead Manager at ECL
With 15 years of experience in the care sector, Oliver’s dedication to older people (OP) care shines through. His career began in a residential care home, but after a brief stint in the catering industry (which lasted only two weeks!), he quickly returned to his true calling: caring for older people.
In February 2019, Oliver joined ECL as a support worker at the ECL Loughton day centre. His deep passion for OP care was evident, and despite trying other customer groups, his heart remained with OP; he explained, “I love hearing the incredible life stories of the customers. Their history, achievements, and contributions to society are a constant source of inspiration.”
After the pandemic, Oliver was promoted to team leader at the ECL Loughton Older People Day Centre, a role he held for four years. During this time, his understanding of both the customers and the team grew significantly. In April 2024, Oliver was promoted to Day Opportunities Older People Lead Manager at ECL Loughton—a promotion of two grades.
Oliver hasn’t looked back since and is glowing in his praise of working as a manager in ECL day opportunities.
Oliver enjoys the positive atmosphere at the ECL Loughton Day Centre. He encourages lively banter and believes humour plays a crucial role in keeping customers sharp and engaged.
For Oliver, care extends beyond customers—it’s about supporting their families, too. He often spends time providing emotional support, whether it’s a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. He builds relationships with families by being available to them, often greeting them during drop-off and pick-up times.
Ensuring that older customers are treated with respect and dignity is paramount to Oliver. He loathes seeing older people patronised, and he instils this value across his team.
As a lead manager, Oliver has had to step back from direct care and focus on empowering his team. His leadership style emphasises trust and support, with an open-door policy to ensure his team feels guided and valued.
I think it’s important to remain visible to both customers and staff; I often lend a hand at busy times, such as when customers prepare to leave the centre.
Most of Oliver’s team have worked together for five years, and he describes them as a "little family." Each staff member brings different strengths to the team, whether it’s leading fun activities, providing quiet, well-being-focused care, or supporting customers in the community. Their complementary skills create a well-rounded and dynamic service for the customers at Loughton.
In his role as lead manager, Oliver enjoys working with the wider ECL community, from clinical teams to marketing, accounts, and learning and development. He commented, “ I appreciate the expert support available, especially when it comes to managing budgets—which is not my strongest skill! This impressive infrastructure allows Oliver to focus on what he loves most: delivering quality care.
ECL invests heavily in staff training, something Oliver values. He completed his QCF Level 3 in dementia care and is now preparing to start his Level 5, with ECL funding the courses and allowing time for study. Oliver welcomes the opportunities for further development, saying, “When it’s your passion, it doesn’t feel like work.” He encourages his team to take advantage of these training opportunities too, always encouraging them to grow professionally.
Oliver takes immense pride in managing the ECL Loughton Day Centre. As the face of the service, he has shaped it into something he is extremely proud of, and he cherishes seeing the impact it has on both his customers and his team.
Oliver’s story highlights why working in ECL day opportunities is more than just a job—it’s a chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people while growing professionally in a supportive environment. ECL offers flexibility, extensive training, and the opportunity to work in a dynamic, collaborative setting.
If you’re passionate about care and want to lead a dedicated team while being part of a wider supportive network, a Day Opportunities management role at ECL could be the perfect next step in your career. Join us and help shape a service that changes lives, just like Oliver has.