Maintenance matters!
At Arlington House, we pride ourselves on our high standards and unrivalled quality. Not only does this cover our care, food, and activities, it also includes a comprehensive maintenance programme to ensure our home is always in tip-top condition.
The role of the Maintenance Manager at Arlington House is vital. First and foremost, the main objective is to keep all residents, staff, and visitors safe and secure. This is done with weekly/monthly checks and tests to cover key areas such as legionella, water temperature, fire alarm, electrical appliances, trip hazards, and the nurse call system. In addition, there is a thorough Covid-19 routine to ensure all internal and external areas are sterilised and deep-cleaned.
Once the safety checks have been complete, there are the day-to-day tasks to deal with. This may include hanging a picture in a resident’s room, unblocking a toilet, changing a light bulb, assembling new furniture or clearing weeds/leaves from the car park.
The most satisfying part of our maintenance programme however is the contribution it plays in the marketing of the home. From creating a great first impression when you drive in, to refurbing and painting a bedroom for the arrival of a new resident, to manicuring the gardens ready for all residents and visitors to enjoy – no stone is left unturned when it comes to raising standards and applying finishing touches.
Arlington House is lucky and privileged to have Phil Lindley in the role of Maintenance Manager. Phil is extremely popular amongst staff, residents, and visitors. He has an impressive work-ethic, a wide range of skills and most importantly, is always willing to go the extra mile.
We sat down with Phil for a quick Q&A session – here’s what he said:
How do you feel about working at Arlington House?
Arlington House is more a vocation than a job. It’s nice to have daily interaction with the owners, staff, and residents. I also have a great relationship with the visitors, I always greet them and make their visit comfortable.
What is the best part of the job?
The unknown. It’s always a challenge and this inspires me. It’s different every day which keeps me on my toes. It’s a pleasure to work here and I love the varied work. I look forward to coming here every day.
The garden is a crucial area of the home. Residents relax and unwind here, and I see it as my responsibility to keep this area in peak condition.
How important are high standards?
This is the most important aspect of Arlington House – it portrays a successful, well-run organisation. I don’t believe in shortcuts, if a job is too challenging for me – we get specialists in e.g., for electrical, drainage and building work.
How do you handle a pressure situation?
I always categorise my task list. I always give the biggest risk the highest priority. For example, if I have some routine maintenance but there is a trip hazard in the home, I will address the danger immediately.
Do you enjoy the social side of the job?
I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the residents happy. I am not the best guitar player in the world – but I love helping-out with the activities when they need my services!
We thought it’s only fair to leave the last words to our residents – as they are the best judges of the condition of the home.
Maureen C said “Phil takes great care of our home. He is brilliant. He attends to numerous requests, like putting my family photos on my bedroom wall and trimming the hedges outside my window. Phil has made many home improvements and entertains us with his guitar. He always gives our friends and families a very warm welcome”
Brenda T commented “Phil always welcomes us in the garden, shows us the improvements he has made and describes any new flowers that he has planted. Phil always fixes everything for me. Thank you, Phil,”
