Silvia’s Impact at Ford Place

Silvia has been a transformative leader at Ford Place, spearheading improvements in clinical practice, staff wellbeing, and resident experience. Her leadership style, rooted in trust, transparency, and the belief that people thrive when they feel they belong, has shaped the home’s culture and left a lasting legacy.

One of the most significant projects introduced at Ford Place involved improving access to vaccinations for residents. Care home residents often receive fewer opportunities to access the full suite of recommended vaccines than those living in the wider community. To address this, Silvia reviewed each resident’s vaccination history and worked proactively with primary care partners to ensure every clinically appropriate vaccine was offered. The project grew into a wider effort to champion health equality, resulting in Ford Place residents receiving timely, preventative care aligned with national recommendations. Her approach has since informed wider practice across the organisation.

Silvia also brought a deeply compassionate approach to staff support. Drawing on her paramedic and emergency service background, she introduced a simple but powerful practice known as the “five-minute stop.” After any difficult or emotional event, staff were encouraged to pause together, sit down, and share how they were feeling. This reflective, supportive moment helped the team process their experiences and strengthened the home’s culture of care. It quickly became an integral part of the way Ford Place supported its team and reflects Silvia’s belief that staff wellbeing is central to excellent care.