Speakers

Geoffrey was a previously a practising Solicitor, in partnership, for over 25 years and transferred the practice to another firm in 2005 to focus on social care. Geoffrey had already started Southern Healthcare in 2001, which has four highly rated Devon Nursing Homes. Three are rated Outstanding, and one Good (with Outstanding in well led). Geoffrey completed a Master’s degree in Dementia Studies at Stirling University in 2013. All four Southern Healthcare homes are validated members of The Eden Alternative. In 2023, three of the homes attained Platinum level Eden accreditation and one Gold, by an independent, external qualified Validator, Jacqui Arnold, an Occupational Psychologist with 40 years hands on experience in the care sector. Geoffrey, and his wife Margot, are enthusiastic trainers and board members of Eden UK, part of an international, not for profit movement, developed to eradicate loneliness, helplessness, and boredom in care settings and promote growth, wellbeing and quality of life. Southern Healthcare became clients of Eden after witnessing its impact in a New Zealand care Home in 2009 and started to implement Eden in 2011, when the next available open training event was held. Geoffrey was invited to join the board in 2015. June Bailey, the UK founder retired after the passing of her husband in 2019, and Geoffrey offered to take over Eden UK just before the pandemic. This also necessitated developing the online training programme. The company also subscribes to, & annually Audited by, Meaningful Care Matters in the Butterfly (and Dragonfly) programme developed by Prof David Sheard, originally a student of Prof Tom Kitwood. Southern Healthcare has also developed its own training programme called Chrysalis, which amongst other things, deeply explores Prof Carl Rogers concept of Person Centredness, Unconditional Positive Regard, the work of Dr Bill Thomas (Eden), Prof David Sheard (Butterfly), the work of Tony Robbins (Human needs and relatedness). Southern Healthcare has built a robust reputation, and attained the award of Care Employer of the Year at the 2023 GB Care Awards in March 2023. Otherwise, Geoffrey enjoys sailing and racing boats, live music and loves performing to residents with his band the Southern Healthcare Quartet.