Investing in our homes and our people – Tony’s journey

At Sanctuary Care, we are dedicated not just to the quality of our care homes, but to the people who help shape them. Tony Kirby’s story is a powerful example of how we invest in both — creating welcoming environments for our residents and rewarding careers for our staff.

From tradesman to Property Manager – a career of progression  

Tony joined Sanctuary Care in 2012 as a Maintenance Operative at The Beeches Residential Care Home in Birmingham, following a career in the building trade. With no prior experience in care, Tony took a leap of faith:

“I applied for the job not really knowing what it would be like and fell in love with the role,” he explains.  

Just six months later, Tony was promoted to Regional Maintenance Operative. From there, he progressed to Regional Maintenance Manager, and in 2019, he became Property Manager - a role he continues to thrive in today.

I love working for Sanctuary Care. I love that I have a voice and they have such a good way of tapping into your skills. They have invested so much in me, and I feel really positive about my journey and progression.

Creating homes that feel like home  

Tony’s role is pivotal in ensuring our care homes are modern, comfortable, and welcoming places that our residents are proud to call home.  

From leading ‘pre-start’ meetings with home teams and contractors to managing large-scale building projects, Tony ensures that every upgrade - whether it’s a kitchen refurbishment or a refreshed en-suite bathroom - is carried out with minimal disruption.

Tony is hugely proud to be part of a leading not-for-profit care provider, who re-invest back into the things that matter most for our residents.  

“I love the things that we can achieve and the reinvestment we get allows us to continually upgrade the care homes to a modern standard for our residents.”

“Anything that benefits residents gives me the biggest sense of satisfaction - as well as the positive feedback we get - that’s such a good feeling.”

What about a career with Sanctuary Care?

Tony’s advice to anyone considering a career in maintenance within the care sector is simple:

“If you have a path you would like to follow, Sanctuary Care can open those doors.”

Whether you’re looking to build a meaningful career or searching for a care home that feels like home, Tony’s journey shows that Sanctuary Care is a place where people - both residents and staff - are truly valued.

For more about a career with care, visit our Jobs page and follow us on socials. We’re ready when you are – take a leap of faith and join us today.