Chantay Bell joined our Wirral team in September as Registered Manager. She's been working in care for 20 years, but that's not where her story starts. Before adult social care, Chantay worked in childcare for 8 years while training as a hairdresser in the US. When she did move into care, she started as a carer working teas and beds before working her way up to a leadership role.
Chantay's Route in Care:
Chantay has worked in a variety of different roles in social care, but she started where many of our leaders start: as a carer. Specifically, a carer on teas and beds, doing the hands-on work that's at the heart of our business.
From there, she moved into Field Care Supervisor, supporting other carers and maintaining quality on the ground. Then Care Coordinator, where she learned how to match the right carers with the right clients and keep complex schedules running smoothly.
She spent time in Payroll too, understanding the operational backbone that keeps care services functioning. Then in 2018, she stepped into a Deputy Manager role, taking on more leadership and strategic responsibility. And this September, she joined Routes as Registered Manager for our Wirral hub.
Chantay's seen care from every angle. She knows what carers need because she's been one. She understands the operational side because she's worked in it. And she gets what matters to clients because she's spent two decades listening to them. It makes her a valuable leader for our Wirral homecare office, and we're proud to have her as part of our team.
Why Chantay works in care
Ask Chantay what she loves about care work, and she'll tell you it's rewarding and fulfilling. But she'll also tell you about specific moments.
One moment Chantay was proud of happened recently, when she visited a client who barely speaks to anyone outside of her usual care team. This person had been quiet with new faces for years. But after just one meeting with Chantay, they opened up. "I felt very privileged," Chantay shared. That's the stuff that sticks with you after 20 years in care - the moments when someone trusts you enough to let you in.
"I have always had a passion for caring for others. It is a very rewarding and fulfilling role."
Day-to-Day as a Registered Manager
As Registered Manager, Chantay's days are never the same. She might start her morning talking with carers, then move into conversations with clients or Local Authority teams. There's branch capacity to review for new packages, medication audits to complete, training compliance to check. Files need managing, documentation needs updating, and her team needs support.
It's busy and complex work. But after 20 years in nearly every role that exists in home care, she knows how it all fits together. And honestly, she loves that no two days are the same.
When She's at Home
We always ask our team what they love doing at home, because we spend our days helping people stay in theirs. So of course home is important to us. (So much so, we made it our brand values!)
For Chantay, home is certainly full. She lives with 1 cat, 4 Serbian rescue dogs, and 4 rats (and yes, she insists they're adorable). She bakes bread and makes casseroles that remind her of home. She settles in for a good Netflix marathon. Her house is warm and busy and exactly how she likes it.
When you work in care, you understand what makes a house feel like home. It's not about perfection. It's about being comfortable, being yourself, and being surrounded by whoever (or whatever) makes you happy. Chantay is certainly surrounded!
We're really glad Chantay's here with us. She brings 20 years of experience, yes, but more than that, she genuinely cares. You can hear it when she talks about clients opening up. You can see it in how she supports her team. We know that with Chantay, our Wirral hub is in good hands.
Need Home Care in the Wirral?
Our Wirral team, led by Chantay, is here to help. We provide home care that's built around what matters to you - your routine, your preferences, your home. If you'd like to talk about care options for yourself or someone you love, get in touch.
Interested in Care Work?
If Chantay's story resonates with you, we'd love to hear from you. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, our Wirral team is growing. We value people who genuinely care, who want to make a real difference, and who understand that home matters.
