Caremark Cheltenham, Gloucester & Tewkesbury

Sarah has worked in the care sector for over 20 years and has covered many different roles. Since 2018, she has focused on management, quality and business development within the sector, and she can’t see herself doing anything else. Sarah loves working in care and gets so much job satisfaction from making sure her customers get the care they deserve.

Sarah recently relocated from London to Gloucester and is enjoying exploring the local area and finding her way around. She is delighted to have joined the Caremark team, who have welcomed her with open arms.

Sarah’s Top Tip: A piece of advice Sarah was given some time ago, and which she uses quite often, is “When you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and focus on one thing at a time“

My professional background has largely focused on providing clinical care for individuals with Neurological diseases and disorders, as well as for individuals with complex physical and mental health needs.

A large proportion of my career has been spent working in rehabilitative settings, both physical and mental health, with a focus on helping individuals manage their conditions as independently as possible so they can live their most fulfilling lives.

I also have a background in clinical research and a strong professional interest in healthcare innovation.

When not at work, you will find me in a swimming pool or out on my bike.

Sophie’s Top Tip: “I am a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of keeping active and like to share this information with those around me.”

Joanne joined Caremark Cheltenham and Tewkesbury early in 2018 as a Registered Care Manager. Her experience in patient-facing care has made her a hugely valuable addition to the team.

Qualified as a physiotherapist, Joanne has a great deal of experience in supporting people both in hospital settings and in the community.

Her role as Care Manager sees her taking on a range of responsibilities including coordinating the care delivered, making sure carers and clients have everything they need to liaising with local authorities and care professionals.

She said: “Carers are looking after people, who are often vulnerable, in their own homes and that is a huge responsibility for us – not just to make sure we take care of the client but also take care of our team too. We need to make sure they have all they need to deliver care as well as possible for the client.

“I’m also the direct interface for the local authority, checking we are getting it right for our clients. I’ll work with local authority teams to make sure the packages of care are delivering all they need to and to suggest changes where they may be beneficial.

“It’s my role to make sure everything runs smoothly. It’s really rewarding to know that we’re helping make a positive difference in people’s lives. The care we deliver is important to them and really can have a positive impact. It’s not just doing a job.”

Following the successful launch of Caremark Cheltenham and Tewksbury, we are very excited to launch our new branch in Stonehouse to support the Gloucester and Stroud customers and care assistance. Emily is Stroud-based and joined our team to run and develop the new branch. She works directly with Joanne Folkes, supporting our customers and wonderful team.

Emily is highly professional, approachable and passionate about her work, bringing a huge amount of experience and value.

The Caremark Cheltenham & Tewkesbury team are pleased to welcome Jade in the role of care coordinator. Jade joined us in March 2024 and has had experience as a care coordinator in previous employment.

Jade has worked in the industry for most of her adult life and has attended Cornwall College and Plymouth University to further her knowledge in Health and social care.

The role of care coordinator suits Jade perfectly as she loves to help people and we are pleased to hear that Jade is thoroughly enjoying her time working for Caremark.

Jade says the team are really kind and it’s a great environment to work in.

Katie started at Caremark as a home care assistant before being promoted to the position of Field Care Supervisor and is now a Care Coordinator, ensuring our customers have the right care package to meet their needs and coordinating staff to ensure that care is delivered as per individualised care plans. Katie is an amazing care coordinator and demonstrates her ability to support our customers and the team every day.

Jessica started as a Care Assistant and quickly progressed through the ranks, becoming a Field Care Supervisor and now a Care Coordinator. Jessica is dedicated to delivering the highest standards of care and support with high levels of passion for the work she does, and is firmly aligned with our company values of kindness and support for our team and customers.

Before working for Caremark, Rachel, a busy mum of 5, cared for some family members. Unfortunately, that came to an end when they sadly passed away.

However, Rachel still craved that sense of purpose that caring had given her, so she joined Caremark in April 2022 as a Care Support Worker. This was a role that she absolutely fell in love with, particularly the great relationships she built with her customers.

Rachel decided she wanted to progress within the company, and when the position of Field Care Supervisor became available, she jumped at the chance. She was delighted when Mike and Jo felt she would be an amazing choice.

Rachel’s Top Tip: “Always try to stay calm and be patient. Providing a listening ear and a cuppa ‘just how the customer likes it’ is usually a good conversation starter.”

With a lifelong commitment to caring, I’ve dedicated myself to supporting others, from raising my family and daughter to caring for my mum until her passing. My passion for helping others led me to achieve a Level 3 qualification in care, working in diverse settings and gaining valuable experience. After a brief break, I’m eager to return to care, driven by my belief that kindness and compassion can make a real difference. You’ll always find me with a smile, ready to listen, support, and uplift those in need. I’m proud to be part of a community that truly cares, and I’m excited to continue making a positive impact.

Kirstie’s Top Tip: “As a carer, I see every customer as being part of my family and treat them with the care and respect they deserve. Remember, it’s also important to take time out for yourself and switch off when you can.”

Before working for Caremark, Lydia worked as an administrator for 9 years at a pensions administration company back in Zimbabwe.

Following this, she became a carer for a family member who had been ill for 2 years. Whilst doing this, she realised how much she enjoyed and gained satisfaction from helping people, and she went on to volunteer at a local clinic and, from there, moved on to work in a hospital as a nurse aid for a few months.

Fast forward to today. Lydia has been working in care for the past 3 and a half years, whilst also working towards completing her NVQ Level 4 in Adult Social Care. She joined Caremark in July 2025. Lydia enjoys travelling, reading and listening to music, although she may sing off-key from time to time.

Lydia’s Top Tip: “Put a smile on your face when you visit a customer, especially for the first time. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you are unsure about something, and remember that everyone is different and likes things done differently”.

Michael Folkes is our Managing Director and ultimately responsible for everything that happens at Caremark, ensuring we deliver the very highest quality of care to people we support across Gloucestershire. He is ensuring that Caremark is leading the way when it comes to innovation in homecare, including the use of robot technology.