14/12/2025
💙 It’s Time to Say Goodbye 💙
After 17 unforgettable years at Prince of Wales Nursing Home, the time has come for me to take a well-earned break.
Prince of Wales has been more than a workplace to me it has been my first home, my baby, and a place that has grown with love, resilience, and purpose. I am incredibly proud of what we have built together.
To our residents you have always been at the heart of everything we do. Over the years, I have had the privilege of caring for so many mums and dads, aunties and uncles, brothers and sisters, and I truly looked after them as if they were my own family. That has been the greatest honour of my career.
To our families thank you for trusting me with the people you love most. My open-door policy was never just a phrase; it meant sitting with you, listening, reassuring, explaining, and sometimes simply being present. Through conversations, worries, laughter, and tears, I had the privilege of building close relationships with so many of you. My passion for care and my listening nature shaped those moments, and I will always carry them with me.
I am also grateful to Mr Kumar for trusting me with his establishment and allowing me the autonomy to lead, develop, and uphold the values of Prince of Wales over the years.
To my team you have been my extended family. I have watched you grow in confidence, skill, and leadership, and I am so proud of each of you. I may have pushed you to study, to train, and to think differently but it was always because I believed in you and wanted you to grow into confident, capable professionals.
Everything I asked for had a purpose:
• to ask why, not just do
• to prevent issues before they became problems
• to communicate clearly, document consistently, and hand over safely
• to work together as one team — nurses to nurses, carers to carers, supporting one another
• to remember that good care is everyone’s responsibility, every hour of the day
I was never just a care manager I was a preventative care manager. The systems, communication books, audits, and processes were never about paperwork; they were about anticipation, safety, dignity, and doing the right thing before something went wrong.
Tuesday night’s Prince of Wales Care Awards Every Shift, Every Role was especially meaningful to me. It was a moment to come together and celebrate contribution, commitment, and heart. The trophies and badges were given with pride, because every role truly matters.
While I am stepping away from my role, my belief in you and pride in your growth will always remain. I trust you to continue leading with confidence, kindness, and integrity.
As I leave, I do so knowing Prince of Wales is in safe hands, with a strong team, strong values, and a culture that puts dignity, kindness, and accountability first.
Thank you for being part of my journey. I leave with a full heart, deep gratitude, and immense pride.
💙 Once Prince of Wales, always Prince of Wales 💙
With heartfelt thanks,
Alka
