Teresa

Teresa has changed the lives of not only, Katie, a little girl with complex clinical needs, but the lives of her parents and big sister too.

Teresa Wood is a Nurse Manager who works with the Enviva team to provide care for adults and children needing support. She works with clients, their families, and other healthcare professionals to deliver truly personalised care.

Since being young, Teresa was always drawn to working with people and, in particular, those who struggled to look after themselves. Working as a volunteer in a residential home for autistic children, her passion for care and support grew until she was old enough to pursue a nursing qualification.

A change in career

Having worked as a children’s nurse for all her adult life, 18 months ago, Teresa decided to move from the NHS to the private care sector specifically to try and improve the quality and standard of care provision that families receive.

Able to assess everyone’s needs

Teresa first started working with Katie a year ago, when she was just 4 years old. Katie has very complex clinical needs, including being non-verbal, unable to eat or drink unaided, and using a wheelchair. She also suffers from epilepsy.

Katie’s family received a private pay-out to enable them to obtain whatever care they needed, but they were very anxious, choosing to not have help until now.

When Teresa first met the family, the parents were absolutely exhausted and had both given up their jobs to care for their daughter – working day and night to look after her.

Teresa quickly assessed the situation and helped the parents understand how to accept help from a team of carers. She supported these Enviva carers by teaching them how to look after Katie.

Soon, Katie had carers working day shifts every day of the week, meaning her parents could spend more time with her elder sister and start working again.

Katie is now 5, and in a special needs school during the day. The care she receives is now at night, with carers staying at the family home from 8 in the evening until, 8 the next morning. They are able to put Katie to bed so the family can enjoy some evening downtime, and they get her ready for school in the mornings and give her breakfast.

So much more than just a job

Before moving to the private care sector and specifically Enviva, Teresa frequently witnessed families who were disappointed in the care they received from healthcare providers, vowing that she’d like to help change this.

Since joining the company 18 months ago, she has been able to fulfil the desire she started her career with 35 years ago – working with people to the best of her abilities, supporting families and care staff to deliver the best care possible, and giving families a positive experience of care provision.

“To be able to support a parent with the care needs of their child, to offer advice and guidance, to be a shoulder to lean on and to walk the path with families who are faced with tough times and unwell children or family members is a true honour and privilege.

I am proud of my abilities to guide and mentor others and of my abilities to work alongside families from all backgrounds to learn and understand what is important to them and help deliver the care that they need to keep their loved ones safe.” Teresa, Nurse Manager, Enviva.

Make a difference, show you care

The role of a Nurse Manager is to manage and oversee the nursing staff in a healthcare facility. It also requires meeting patients and assessing their individual needs to ensure they receive the best care possible from the nursing team.

If you’d like to consider a career in care, check out our current vacancies here.