Ahead of the opening of Virtue Health Service’s first community pathway, in early 2020, we caught up with Head of Development and Commissioning, Karen Stanley, to find out more.
Born in Doncaster, Karen worked in specialist care settings in the region before launching Virtue in 2019 with Scott Snowden and Stuart Sinden, of Constructa Services.
Who is Virtue Heath Services for? Who will live with you?
Virtue will become home to people living with complex disabilities, including mental health, physical disabilities, dementia and brain injury. It’s not just about giving someone a place to live – our staff will provide all aspects of personal care, re-ablement and rehabilitation, support during the night, nursing care and respite care. We will develop care packages around each person as an individual.
Why do people choose to live in a Virtue pathway?
Virtue Health Services are unique. There are no other services like us within the Doncaster borough. One of the things that makes us different is that our Pathways and Phases are managed on-site, not from a larger care facility or impersonal agency. Our service is personal – caring and compliant – allowing individuals with disabilities to live an enriched and meaningful life within their community.
You describe Virtue Health Services as adhering to a ‘moral of excellence.’ What does this mean to you?
To me, it means that as Virtue Health Services, we will work to the highest standard possible, and the care and support we provide will be in line with this.
What are you most excited about for the next six months?
The next six months will see us complete the refurbishment of our first service, giving care and support to our first guests, seeing them develop and enhance their current skills. It is a very exciting time for Virtue.
What has surprised you most about launching Virtue?
The positivity of all stakeholders we have spoken to. While we knew there was a demand for this type of service, it has been fantastic that everyone is so keen to work with us. It makes us even more excited about delivering an exemplary service for people in Doncaster and the surrounding area.
What do you do when you aren’t working?
I’m an avid keep fit fanatic, I do boot camp/circuit training, swimming and running. I also love socialising with family and friends – that’s a massive part of my life.
What might people be surprised to know about you?
I have a keen desire to jump out of a plane!
Finally, if you had to choose a Mr Man or Little Miss that best matches your personality, who would you choose?
I’m Little Miss Helpful! I want to make a difference to people’s lives and I feel that I am doing that with Virtue Health Services.