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Our Promise

  • We promise we will give your loved one the very best of care.
  • We promise we will cherish, nurture and love your special person.
  • We will be honest, open and trustworthy.

Our Staff

Our team cares for and connects with each person who lives at Admatha like we would a very best friend. This means that people feel loved and important.

We:

  • accept you as you are
  • really listen to you
  • love to hear you laugh
  • forgive your mistakes
  • have fun together

Our team has been hand picked with great care. We have the knack of working with people with dementia. We know how to love and care for someone like that person is our very best friend.

We believe that the people who make up our Admatha team need to be nurtured too. Admatha offers a service where all team members can see the doctor free of charge. Workplace Support is given by Chaplaincy Services. This means the people who make up our team are assisted to be completely available to the people they care for.
Chris Booth - Operations Manager

They say first impressions are lasting impressions. My first impression of Avonlea was one of a serene, homely atmosphere and very welcoming staff.

I think Avonlea's philosophy and values is something that sets us apart. It is unique and it shows. As I go about my day I see contented, happy residents and staff members who are committed to providing the best possible care for our residents.

I have spent some considerable time working in the hospitality industry. I am enthusiastic about all things 'food'. I'm also slightly obsessive about presentation.

My focus here at Avonlea is; to ensure we have good staffing levels so that residents are really well cared for, making sure we meet our legislative obligations, and managing the food service, laundry and housekeeping effectively.
 
Maria Torralba - Weekend Manager

Maria comes to us from the Philippines. She is a registered nurse in the Philippines. She brings much experience and compassion to her role as weekend manager for Avonlea.

Her gentle nature, love and compassion is loved by the residents. Maria says she is enjoying the challenge and responsibility of her role, caring for such special people. She is pleased to have the opportunity to grow and learn with such a supportive staff team.
 
Donya Nee - Vision Development

Coordinator

I came to Admatha and Avonlea from an arts background, combining studies in performing arts, holistic counselling and post graduate studies in community arts management and dance therapy that I employ in my work as a diversional therapist. This brings me great happiness. Activities and daily interactions are so important for our residents and bring many treasured moments for each of us.

Donya works to ensure our vision and values are known within our local community as well as thriving in our unique homes.

She also works across all facilities as an instructor for Non Violent Crisis Intervention.

I have great passion for the wellbeing of our precious residents and I work to ensure their adjustment to home life, their comfort and their happiness. I feel honored to work with such special people, their families and our wonderful team.

I aim to embrace the richness of each moment with each person I work with at Admatha and Avonlea.

“Love prevails, Is forever clear and never forgets”
 
Sarah Naidu - Home Manager

Sarah comes to us from Canada and works as a home manager at Avonlea. Sarah loves the challenge and joy that comes from working with people who have dementia. She is jovial and loving which is appreciated by our residents as well as the team she leads. Sarah say’s her best moments are making her residents smile and being able to make a difference for our residents each day
 
Chris White - Home Manager

Chris has had fourteen years experience in working with people who have dementia. She is very good at accepting people as they are and in helping them to feel valuable. She has a very gentle way of being with people. She says she finds her work very stimulating and rewarding.
 
Donna Jemmett - Clinical Manager

As the Clinical Manager At Admatha and Avonlea, I have the priviledge of leading the Registered Nursing team.

I have a passion for caring for people with an illness such as Dementia. It is very satisfying to be able to make a difference for those who are vulnerable.

My main priority is to ensure the best possible outcomes are achieved for our residents.
 
Kathy Cargill - Registered Nurse

I am a ‘people’ person with a caring compassionate manner. As a Registered Nurse I enjoy working in a positive team environment. I value the uniqueness and strengths of each team member as we work together to provide the best quality care for the residents and support to their families. Making a difference in people’s lives brings me great satisfaction.
 
Sharon Blackburn

Trainee Diversional Therapist

I have been a stay at home Mum of two, until I stepped back into the workforce as a caregiver. There I found my passion in working with the elderly and have since gone on to start my qualifications as a Diversional Therapist.

Working at Avonlea has given me the opportunity to achieve this. I enjoy working within the smaller home environments that are uniquely Avonlea, where you get the opportunity to create special bonds and relationships with the residents and their families.

My goal in working with each person is to make a difference within their lives through daily activities. I’m a people person who enjoys working within a team to create a homely atmosphere where each resident is valued and encouraged to enjoy and participate in a variety of activities.
 
Natalie Whales

Trainee Diversional Therapist

I have come from a customer service background and I really enjoy working with people, as well as raising a family of three.

Working at Avonlea gives me the opportunity to work closely with residents and their families, and enables me to make a difference in their lives.

I find working as a Trainee Diversional Therapist it is very rewarding watching the residents smiling and enjoying themselves as they participate in the daily activities that are provided for them.

Being part of a team that works together to provide the best for the residents is something I enjoy being part of.
 
Cherry Lu

Trainee Diversional Therapist

Cherry comes to us from China, where she developed a passion for caring for the elderly, after nursing her grandparents for some time.

Cherry now works as a trainee Diversional Therapist offering many fun meaningful activities. Cherry says the best part of her job is making the residents smile. 'Creating a smile gives me great gratification and I love the rewards and challenge of working with people who have dementia'.
 
Rosemary Cajoles

Trainee Diversional Therapist

Rosemary Cajoles comes to us from the Philippines. She is a Registered Nurse in the Philippines.

Rosemary loves working as a trainee Diversional therapist and especially enjoys getting to know the residents needs and developing relationships.

Laughter is important to Rosemary who says brightening someones day is very rewarding.
 
Jennifer Ochavo - Home Manager

I have a Bachelor of Arts and I have worked in the Philippines as head of customer support services in a 24/7emergency alarm centre. Recently I have settled in Christchurch. My passion for caring for elderly people started when my father became unwell. I did a six month certificate course in caregiving to enable me to attend to his needs until he died.

Being a caregiver brings lots of challenges and fulfillments. I care for the residents in the same way that I took care of my parents – with lots of tender loving care.

I am happy that the managers at Avonlea have given me the opportunity to work with them and that they have given me their trust and confidence by making me home manager of Home C. I am committed to working to the best of my ability and to continuously learning and improving my knowledge and skills for this work.
 
Lydia Byrnes - Evening Manager

Lydia has had 25 years experience working with the elderly in rest-home and dementia care, she is kind caring and puts residents health and wellbeing first above all else. Her aim as PM Manager is to follow the visions and values of avonlea in a professional courteous manner with the support of staff and management.
 
Diane Tyree - Registered Nurse

Diane just loves caring for people. She is a registered nurse with much empathy. She listens well and people like to be with her. Families particularly appreciate her. No stone is left unturned when it comes to caring for residents. Diane has particular responsibilities in the control of infection.
 
Simon Hamley - Education Coordinator

I have worked as a registered nurse for the past 25 years, most of that in the UK. I love working in dementia care; each day is different and I strive to get to know each person for who they are, the life they have lead and the things they enjoy.

Education is an area that has always given me great satisfaction. It is great to see staff learn and grow and improve skills and I am always keen to share my experience and knowledge with them. As a nurse, I have always been a teacher – nurses teach clients and families about health and how to manage health problems. However, I have also been lucky enough to spend time teaching adults in a 'classroom' situation, most recently at Kings Education in Christchurch teaching elderly care.

Away from work I have a passion for football (soccer) and have coached several boys teams (teaching again!) I want all staff to feel comfortable, confident and happy to provide wonderful care. Sadly, I am loosing my hair, but my Father once told me - 'Grass never grows on a busy street'.