For sisters Annmarie and Debbie Foley, Inglewood Nursing Home is more than just a workplace – it’s been a second home for over 20 years. Most of that time has been spent together in the housekeeping team, until Annmarie’s recent appointment as the home’s head of activities in late 2024.
Annmarie (51) and Debbie (48) spent their early years growing up with their two younger brothers, Stephen (44) and Colin (37), in Manchester. However, when the girls were teenagers, the family moved to the south coast. Their father, a former Merchant Navy sailor, sought relief from severe arthritis in the warmer southern climate and made a living by working on the tugboats in nearby Portsmouth. Their mother was a career cleaner who only recently retired five years ago – at one point both sisters and their mother worked together in the same cleaning company!
Growing up in a large, lively and musical household, the sisters learned the value of hard work and togetherness – both qualities that have shaped their careers and lives over the years that followed.
Debbie was the first to arrive at Inglewood, in 2002, juggling her role as housekeeper with raising her two young sons. She later encouraged Annmarie to apply for a position, and despite the 30-minute commute from her home in Hailsham, Annmarie took the leap in late 2004. Not long after, Annmarie discovered that she was expecting her third and youngest child.
Ever since Annmarie’s arrival the sisters have worked closely together, further cementing their already strong bond. “What’s unusual is that we’ve worked together in the same team for so long,” Debbie says. “But we actually get on as sisters, too, and that’s made all the difference. Even though we see each other every day, we’re always talking.”
The sisters’ connection to Inglewood runs deep, too. “The home isn’t just a workplace – it’s a family,” Debbie adds. “The staff support one another through everything, and we also share a lot of laughs with the residents.”
Annmarie agrees, adding: “Inglewood has brought me out of my shell. It’s a welcoming, supportive environment where everyone feels at home.”
Her move across to the activities team at the end of 2024 was inspired by her love of arts and crafts. In fact, she was recommended for the role by one of her housekeeping colleagues because of her obvious talent and love of all things arty. From supporting residents in arranging flowers and making festive wreaths to building an attractive harvest festival display, Annmarie works hard to bring out their innate creativity and help them express their inner artist!
“It’s so rewarding to see residents enjoy the activities and take pride in what they create. One lady loved the bracelet that she made so much that she continued to wear it for days afterwards!” she says.
Living just a 10-minute walk from each other, the sisters see plenty of each other outside work too. They enjoy attending concerts (especially Take That and Pink), caring for their two horses and travelling together. A recent large family holiday to Turkey was a highlight, and they look forward to planning more trips in the future.
Between them, the sisters have seven children, aged between 28 and 10, and three grandchildren. Two of Annmarie’s daughters have been bitten by the cleaning bug, following their mother, aunt and grandmother into the cleaning business!
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