Meet the team
Helen & Adam Thompson
Managing Directors of Ochre Group
Directors Adam and Helen are a husband and wife team with two young sons. They work closely with the Group’s Registered Manager, Natalie, to ensure the teams at Abbey Lea and Westwood are able to provide the best possible care, support and quality of life to the residents each day.
“Growing up in large families and witnessing first-hand the varying quality of care received by elderly relatives, has greatly influenced us. We are committed to ensuring that Abbey Lea and Westwood provide the best care possible for the wonderful individuals who come to live with us.
Compared to many of the big, modern homes that are built these days, we believe smaller homes like ours offer a uniquely homely and comfortable environment for our residents, as well as a warm and inviting atmosphere for visiting relatives and friends.
We are often on-site so please do say hello if you see us!”
Adam & Helen
Natalie Prangnell-White
Registered Manager – Abbey Lea & Westwood Care Homes
Natalie joined us in March 2022 as Registered Manager of Abbey Lea Care Home. She recently progressed to Group Registered Manager, overseeing Westwood Care Home as well.
Benefitting from over 16 years’ experience in care, Natalie’s warm, empathetic approach and wealth of knowledge and understanding have been gained from her direct work in community care, initially as a carer and then in care administration and management.
In addition to her care experience, Natalie holds a first-class honours degree in Business Leadership and Management and is currently undertaking a Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management.
Natalie believes in empowering, supporting and developing her teams, so they feel happy and confident in their work and encouraged to progress. This positive ethos allows us to deliver excellent, person-centred care with kindness and a sense of community at its core.
Rachel Aldridge
Deputy Manager – Abbey Lea Care Home
Rachel joined Abbey Lea in 2012, and has worked across a variety of roles in her time with us, including Senior Carer, Team Leader and Care Compliance Lead, before taking on the position of Deputy Manager.
Rachel’s key responsibilities are ensuring the smooth running of the home each day, overseeing the clinical needs of residents, and monitoring compliance in all areas of the home. Rachel prioritises the wellbeing of staff and residents in everything she does, creating a supportive environment for both our team and those in our care.
Rachel’s commitment is driven by empathy and an understanding of each resident’s individual personality and needs. This approach allows her to provide a sense of warmth and compassion that mirrors how she cares for her own family.
Dawn Gowdy
Deputy Manager – Westwood Care Home
Dawn joined us in 2023 as Deputy Manager of Westwood Care Home, overseeing the smooth running of the home each day.
She was encouraged to pursue a career in care following her father’s experiences in the sector which gave her a desire to contribute positively to the care provision in her local area. She has experience in delivering support both in the community and in care home settings, in care support roles and as the manager of a specialist dementia unit within a large nursing home.
Dawn’s priority is ensuring each resident is happy here at Westwood, receiving the best care from a positive, confident team and enjoying a full social life with a colourful calendar of activities.