We welcome Northwich mayor to staff at Redwalls nursing care home

Residents at Redwalls nursing home were thrilled when the Mayor of Northwich, Kevin Rimmer, opened their summer fete.   But they were even more delighted to welcome him back without his chains of office this time when he arrived to start work last week as a senior support worker.  

Mr Rimmer, 52, said it was his official visit to the Kingsley Healthcare run home in Weaverham Road, Sandiway, in September that had given him the idea of swapping his customer deliveries role at Waitrose for a totally fresh challenge. He said: “I was struck by the lovely homely feel of Redwalls. I have visited quite a few nursing homes in my capacity as mayor and it is not always like that. “I have always been a really good people person and caring is something I have always wanted to give a go.

“I did not want to get to the end of my working life with regrets and I was excited when I discovered the manager Julie (Sheridan) was recruiting.” Mr Rimmer, who was elected on to Northwich Town Council seven years ago, said his experiences as a single parent, looking after two teenage children following the death of his wife Stella, had increased his resolve to change career paths. His previous experience as a team leader working in a local yoghurt factory has qualified him to start in the position of senior support worker.

He said: “I am really looking forward to working towards my NVQ3 qualification in health and social care. I regard learning as a life-long journey and that is something I have instilled in my children.” Mr Rimmer, who is half way through his year in office, said several residents had recalled his late summer visit.   He said: “They have given me such a lovely welcome. They say, ‘you’re not going to leave, are you?’. “I certainly have no intention of leaving. A week into this I know it is the perfect fit and this will be my last job.”