Jamil Ali - Registered Manager

Jamil started his career in Health & Social Care 17 years ago and has never looked back. During his years working in care Jamil has worked with a variety of different patient and resident groups including adults with a learning disability and mental health problems, as well as working with the homeless and in a care home for the elderly.

Jamil started working at Walkern Lodge in March 2021 as a Support Worker. By October 2021 he was promoted to Deputy Manager before becoming Interim Registered Manager in 2022. During his role as Interim manager Jamil excelled in his management style, gaining CQC rating from Requires Improvement to GOOD for Walkern Lodge.

As an Interim manager Jamil made history for Walkern Lodge winning an award at Cygnet’s first ever Staff Achievement Awards in 2022 for Delivering of Excellence - Show Stopper. In October 2023 Jamil became the Registered Manager for Walkern Lodge.

In addition to his role as Registered Manager, Jamil is also Safeguarding Lead, Infection Control Lead and also Medication Champions Lead at Walkern Lodge. Under Jamil the residents at Walkern Lodge have enjoyed increased community involvement, new activities, better physical & mental health, increased family communication and involvement.

Jamil says that at Walkern Lodge “We pride ourselves to give the best quality of care to our Individuals. We do this by ensuring our Individuals are person centred and have their voice heard in all decision making”.

Dave Onwuka - Deputy Manager

Dave worked in health insurance for seven years before joining Cygnet in 2021 as a support worker. He was promoted to a senior support worker in 2022. While in that role, Dave won the manager’s award for Dedication and Care, and was twice named Staff of the Month.

When the opportunity presented itself, Dave was appointed as an Interim Deputy Manager at Walkern Lodge. Dave was made the permanent Deputy Manager in December 2023 and is passionate about the people he supports.

Dave is a member of the Domestic Violence Advisory Group and is the Deputy Safeguarding Lead for the service. He is also the Multicultural Network Ambassador and thrives in seeking ways to help others, giving a listening ear and offering workable solutions.

Diana Lage - Support Worker

Diana has always liked helping others and wanted to become a nurse, achieving a Level 5 bachelor's degree in Portugal. In 2019 she moved to the UK to work in care settings, initially as a healthcare assistant in domiciliary care and supported living facilities. There she developed her skills and gained a qualification as a specialist carer in dementia care.

Diana joined Cygnet in January 2022 as a support worker on a low secure ward at Cygnet Hospital Stevenage. Although she found this role rewarding she wanted to work with people with learning disabilities and autism and so in June 2024 moved to Walkern Lodge.

Olukemi (Kemi) Omotoso - Senior Support Worker

Olukemi (Kemi) Omotoso started as a healthcare assistant in 2006 and has a proven record and hands on experience in caring for individuals in health care and social care sectors.

Kemi joined Cygnet in August 2020 and is a senior support worker at Walkern Lodge where she leads shifts and supports staff and residents across all levels. Kemi is also one of the Deputy safeguarding leads, seeing overall wellbeing of vulnerable individuals in our care is important.

Kemi is a team player who collaborates with other team members for optimum outcomes. She is flexible and available to support when needed. Kemi is presently studying her level 4 as Lead Practitioner in Adult Care.

Irene Zishiri - Support Worker

Irene initially joined Walkern Lodge team as a Bank Support Worker in April 2023 before becoming a full time support worker in June 2023. She has recently been appointed as the menu champion at the service.

Irene is a compassionate support worker who has a passion to provide emotional, physical and social support to individuals at the service.

Andrew Chikaura - Support Worker

Andrew started working in the care field in 2018 with an agency. Andrew worked in a variety of different settings including learning disability, mental health and housing support.

Andrew joined Walkern Lodge in 2019 and has not looked back. He enjoys inducting new staff at Walkern Lodge and is also the service’s champion for COSHH.

Andrew’s passion is for making sure that residents are having their voiced heard and being empowered.

Yasrin Begum - Support Worker

Yasrin joined the team at Walkern Lodge in 2020. Yasrin takes great pride in being the activity lead as it allows her to make the residents lives more fulfilled as they enjoy new experiences. Yasrin is also the champion for community meetings which is a meeting held for the residents.

Yasrin loves her role as no two days are the same. She also enjoys being able to express herself artistically and having the opportunity to transform Walkern Lodge and turn it into a home which is welcoming for all.

Sandra Santos-Costa - Support Worker

Sandra moved into the care sector in 2005 having previously worked in publishing and general office environments. She trained as a care worker and completed her NVQ Level 2 whilst working in care homes and NHS hospitals.

In 2018 Sandra became a support worker to young people helping them to live independently, supporting them with hygiene, pay bills, shopping and support them with their daily life’s, supporting them to live their life’s as comfortable and happy as possible.

Sandra enjoys working at Walkern Lodge because the role is so varied. She particularly enjoys taking residents out for activities and is proud to have taken part in brightening up the front garden at Walkern Lodge to make it look homely for the service users and the passers-by.

Denis Zipagan - Support Worker

Denis has worked in care for over 16 years and gained a great deal of experience in the independent sector before joining Cygnet in August 2021. Denis has completed a Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Denis likes his job as a support worker has he is passionate about helping vulnerable groups. He is proud to be a member of the team at Walkern Lodge and finds it fulfilling to contribute to improving the quality of life for residents and being supported by colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for the service.