Don Morris, a well-known and much-loved figure at our sister home, Mayflower in Gravesend, has embarked on an exciting new chapter in his career by moving here to Tunbridge Wells Care Centre (TWCC) as our deputy manager.
After dedicating 11 years to Mayflower, Don brings with him a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to care and a fascinating personal story that spans continents, industries and passions.
Don’s journey began in the vast, open plains of Zululand, South Africa, where he grew up with his two siblings. His childhood was carefree, filled with the beauty of nature and the company of animals. Walking barefoot to school in the hot, dry climate was a way of life, and these early experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for simplicity and authenticity.
Don’s father worked as a metallurgical engineer for various British enterprises, while his grandfather held a senior position at De Beers, the renowned diamond mining and jewellery company. This connection to British industry would later help influence Don’s path in life.
After leaving school Don earned a technical diploma in computer science, becoming a certified Microsoft Systems Engineer. For several years during the late 1990s, he worked as an IT technician for global mining giant Rio Tinto where he met Patricia, the lady who would eventually become his wife.
Patricia, who has an English-Zimbabwean heritage, was part of a project team helping the company to achieve Y2K compliance, ensuring that all its IT systems and programmes would continue to work as the world entered the new millennium. The couple married in 2003, settling in picturesque Richards Bay with their daughter Bianca.
Looking for new opportunities and a brighter future, the family relocated to the UK, settling in Dartford to be closer to Patricia’s family and benefiting from excellent transport links to London. Don’s IT career flourished, with roles at Fujitsu Services and Reuters. At Reuters, an important part of his role was to ensure that companies complied with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) so they can trade on the New York Stock Exchange. SOX is a United States federal law that sets out high standards for how companies behave, including financial transparency and reporting. From there he moved to Transport for London (TFL) where, as a portfolio analyst, he worked with project teams on infrastructure projects such as the introduction of tickertape displays at the capital’s bus stops. However, the financial crash of 2007-8 and subsequent redundancy marked a turning point in his life.
The redundancy, coupled with a growing dissatisfaction with the corporate world, prompted Don to reassess his career completely. Patricia encouraged him to follow his heart – and a career in care. Soon afterwards, Don took the first steps on his new journey as a domiciliary carer. He found the experience rewarding but thought that a more structured environment would suit him better. A Google search for the best care homes in the area led him to Mayflower Care Home, which he joined as a care assistant 11 years ago.
“The stress in care is different, as you are dealing with people’s lives,” Don reflects. “But, for me, the rewards are so much greater. You see the results in the smiles and the thank yous from residents and their families. Those simple gestures mean the world.”
Although a latecomer to the care sector, Don has adapted seamlessly. His meticulous nature and ability to ensure high standards – a valuable legacy from his background in IT and compliance – proved to be real assets at Mayflower. “Looking at care notes, plans and other documentation and checking to see that we meet CQC standards is still about compliance,” he says.
While at Mayflower Don looked after many residents whose symptoms of dementia made their day-to-day lives particularly challenging. As an assistant practitioner he led the home’s complex behaviour unit, and as the clinical support he was in charge of the night team, having become an integral part of the home’s senior team. In 2023 Don was also a finalist at both the National Care Awards and the Great British Care Awards.
At TWCC, Don is excited to take on the role of deputy manager. He works with Donna Barks and the individual heads of department to oversee daily operations and facilitate the smooth running of the home. As deputy manager, Don also plays an important part in supporting staff to provide exceptional person-centred care, facilitating residents’ comfort and wellbeing.
While the type of resident at TWCC is different to those he encountered at Mayflower, Don sees this as an opportunity to learn, grow and adapt.
“My priority is to get to know the residents and staff really well,” he says. “Understanding their needs and building relationships is key to providing the best care.”
Outside work, Don’s interests are as diverse as his career. A hiking enthusiast and aviation lover, he channels his passion for flying into operating drones, for which he has achieved full certification from the Civil Aviation Authority. At home, he and Patricia share their lives with two playful kittens, Smudge and Pickles. Bianca works for Kent County Council while their younger daughter, Samantha, followed her dream and became a chef.
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