Chantal Buxton
Plymouth,England
Summary
I am a dedicated professional with extensive experience in health and social care, with special interest in dementia care and research. I can can demonstrate strong observational skills and have a proven ability to apply knowledge effectively in both independent and team settings. I am proficient in report writing, adhering to ethics and social care policies, and excelling in communication. I am committed to advancing research within the healthcare sector while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
10053
10053
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Healthcare Assistant
Nazareth House Residential Home
Plymouth
02 2023 - Current
- I currently work at Nazareth House Residential Home, caring for the elderly including dementia care.
- It is rewarding being an important part of the residents’ lives and making a positive difference by helping them feel valued and heard through resident advocacy and commitment to on-going learning and training and striving to improve resident care.
- Utiliising the scenic views and tranquil environment of our seafront location.
- The role helps to enhance my understanding of people living with dementia, including their quality of life and end-of-life care.
- As well as my caring duties, I complete daily report writing for each resident, utilising my observational skills and complying with confidentiality, accuracy and data protection at all times.
Volunteer
Plymouth Age UK Dementia Day Centre
Plymstock
07 2024 - Current
- Since starting volunteering at the Plymouth Age UK Dementia Day Centre I have gained a more in-depth experience of engaging with and supporting 20 people with various stages of dementia. In the safe, supportive environment of the day centre, my voluntary role has included 1:1 support, social interaction, cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), arts and crafts, various participation games such as boccia and sit down curling. I also go into dementia residential homes with Plymouth Age UK and carry out activities each week. It is extremely rewarding and the residents look forward to us coming.
Bank Healthcare Assistant
St Anne's Care Home, Anchor Care Group
Saltash
07 2018 - 12 2021
- My time at St Anne's included working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This gave me a unique insight of the lived experience of people with dementia during a pandemic, their perceptions and emotions during this time and the challenges they faced.
- During the pandemic, as residents and staff we became a close-knit community, learning and coping together during a stressful time.
Healthcare Assistant
Durnsford Lodge Residential Home
Plymouth
12 2021 - 02 2023
- Working at Durnsford Lodge gave me experience of a home specifically designed for people with dementia.
- It was a good example of teamwork and each shift team de-escalating situations, particularly using music and a homely environment.
Assistant Researcher in University
Plymouth Marjon University
Plymouth
11 2021 - 07 2022
- I was a 'student as researcher' assistant during my time at Plymouth Marjon University, as part of a student and academic team, focusing on metacognition and student learning experiences.
- My role included reviewing literature and previous research, qualitative data collection (focus group interviews) and data analysis (thematic), report writing and designing a recruitment poster.
Customer Assistant
Boots - Drake Circus
Plymouth
10 2016 - 07 2018
- Assisting customers, serving on the till, learning the full running of the photo lab, equipment and digital photo kiosks, taking passport photos, dismantling disposable cameras and developing the films, producing canvases, calendars, photobooks, posters.
- Working under immense pressure to tight deadlines and thinking on my feet.
Care Assistant
Plymouth City Council, Whitleigh Residential Home
Plymouth
04 2005 - 09 2010
- Assisting clients with daily life, chatting to clients, assisting with personal care, assisting at mealtimes, working as a team, working independently, promoting independence.
Agency Care Assistant
Prestige Nursing and Care
Plymouth
08 2003 - 04 2005
- Representing the agency, following all procedures and policies, working in various establishments (residential homes, nursing homes, day centres, psychiatric wards, hospitals) working with clients of various abilities and with diverse needs, using initiative.
- Through agency work, I gained experience of working with an ex-Broadmoor client.
Senior Care Assistant
Fairhome Care Group
Luton
08 2000 - 08 2003
- Residential home for people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health, and challenging behaviour.
- Supporting clients with all aspects of daily life, administering medication, taking clients to appointments, carrying out staff inductions, taking clients on holiday, being a key worker for key clients, promoting independence, assisting with manager's reports, delivering handovers, ensuring adequate staff numbers are on shift, being able to cope with challenging situations.
Education
Master of Research - Merit - Psychology - based
Plymouth Marjon University
PlymouthBSc (hons) First - Psychology
Plymouth Marjon University
PlymouthAccess To Higher Education Diploma - Psychology and Sociology
City College Plymouth
GCSEs -
Icknield High School
NVQ 3 - Care
Barnfield College
Skills
- Researcher
- Healthcare Assistant
- Social Care
- Observational Skills
- Working in Dementia
- Report Writing
- Applying Knowledge and Health/Social Care Together
- Independent and Team Work
- Ethics
- Social Care Policies
- Communication skills
Additional Information
I completed a Master of Research (MRes psychology-based) at Plymouth Marjon University in October 2023, having previously graduated from Marjon in 2021 with a first-class honours degree in psychology. I have loved the challenge of university and am proud of my achievements. Throughout the duration of my university studies and the COVID-19 pandemic, I have worked as a carer in residential home settings and proved I can organise commitments and am passionate about my career. In previous care work employment, I gained an NVQ 3 in Care whilst working which received high appraisal. I also currently volunteer at the Plymouth Marjon University Memory Café and the Plymouth Age UK Dementia Day Centre.
Timeline
Healthcare Assistant
Nazareth House Residential Home
02 2023 - Current
Volunteer
Plymouth Age UK Dementia Day Centre
07 2024 - Current
Bank Healthcare Assistant
St Anne's Care Home, Anchor Care Group
07 2018 - 12 2021
Healthcare Assistant
Durnsford Lodge Residential Home
12 2021 - 02 2023
Assistant Researcher in University
Plymouth Marjon University
11 2021 - 07 2022
Customer Assistant
Boots - Drake Circus
10 2016 - 07 2018
Care Assistant
Plymouth City Council, Whitleigh Residential Home
04 2005 - 09 2010
Agency Care Assistant
Prestige Nursing and Care
08 2003 - 04 2005
Senior Care Assistant
Fairhome Care Group
08 2000 - 08 2003
Master of Research - Merit - Psychology - based
Plymouth Marjon University
BSc (hons) First - Psychology
Plymouth Marjon University
Access To Higher Education Diploma - Psychology and Sociology
City College Plymouth
GCSEs -
Icknield High School
NVQ 3 - Care
Barnfield College