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tiously, the homes came through the pandemic without a single Covid fatality. “It was intense,” Marc says, “but everyone just pulled together.” By the time things settled, Marc
found himself thinking about the future. Alongside healthcare, he has a creative life too - he’s published two fantasy novels, including Te Phoenix Chronicles, and is still working away at a long-term TV project in the background. Professionally, he wanted a fresh challenge, so he moved into residential elderly care in Exeter. He loved getting to know the people and their stories, but missed nursing, and felt his clinical skills weren’t being fully used.
He describes it as “a bit like running a hotel,” except you’re also looking aſter people’s health, dignity and wellbeing. He leads a team of more than 70 staff, including 11 nurses, and says having the right people in place is the single most important part of the job. Despite the paperwork, Marc
makes a point of getting out of his office every day. He starts his mornings walking around the home, chatting to residents over breakfast, checking in with the kitchen and laundry, and stopping in the Cove near reception, where coffee mornings, performances and activities are oſten in full swing. “It’s really easy in care to get
detached,” he says. “You can end up seeing people as numbers if you’re not careful. Being out and about reminds me why we’re all here.” Life at Te Fleet is busy in the
Ten the job at Te Fleet came up. “I’ve always loved Dartmouth,” he
says. “I grew up travelling around this part of the coast.” When he visited the home, something clicked. Nearly two years on, he’s still clearly glad he made the move. Te Fleet is the only nursing
home this side of the river until Ivybridge, and it supports residents from Dartmouth and the wider South Hams. Tere are 65 people living there at the moment, with space for more, and the home is set up in different communities - residential care on the ground floor, nursing care above, and a dedicated dementia floor at the top. Marc is responsible for the
whole operation, from overseeing care and nursing to housekeeping, maintenance, food and activities.
best possible way. Te activities list changes weekly and includes everything from chair-based exercise and quizzes to craſts, live music, chocolate tastings and men’s groups. Tere are regular visits from musicians, Sunday church services, and sessions with local nursery children, who come in to read stories and sing to residents. A donated minibus has opened up even more opportunities, making trips to the beach, National Trust properties and further afield possible. Te emphasis, Marc says, is always
on inclusion. Residents with demen- tia or limited mobility are supported to take part, using tailored activities and specialist equipment, so no one is leſt feeling isolated in their room. Since arriving at Te Fleet, Marc
has overseen some big changes. Te dementia community has opened, staff receive bespoke dementia train- ing, and one of the lounges has been turned into a dedicated activity suite. Te gardens have been completely transformed by two local volunteers into a sensory, usable space with vegetable beds and a greenhouse, and there are plans for even more improvements - including a cinema
room and, eventually, a traditional pub-style lounge with a piano. “Why not,” he smiles. Marc values the independence
he’s given to run the home in a way that suits Dartmouth. “We’re very connected to the local community,” he says, “but we’ve got support there if we need it.” Is it a happy place? Marc doesn’t
hesitate. “Yes,” he says. “It really is.” Tere are hard days, especially
when supporting people at the end of their lives, but Marc sees that as an honour rather than a burden. Te team support each other through it, and the relationships formed along the way are genuine. Marc currently lives in Plymouth
and is in the process of moving to Ivybridge with his long-term partner - a cruise ship doctor - using his dai- ly commute as a way to decompress aſter busy days. As for the future, he’s not in a hurry to go anywhere. “I love it here,” he says. “I love the
residents, I love the team. It feels like a proper community - and that’s exactly how it should be.”•
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