Leading with Care: Welcoming Yarnley House’s New Management Team

At Yarnley House Care Home, we are delighted to welcome our new management team, Manager Rebecca Hebditch and Deputy Manager Cornelia Bekker, who joined the home in early March 2026.

Rebecca's Journey Into Care

Rebecca’s career in care began in an unexpected but meaningful way. While on maternity leave, she was asked to support a friend who had purchased a nursing home. Initially helping with care plans and compliance, she quickly found herself drawn to the residents and their stories.

What started as a practical favour soon became a passion. After deciding not to return to her previous role, she began working towards her qualifications and progressed to Deputy Manager, before becoming Registered Manager just two years later. She remained in that role for 10 years, building extensive leadership experience.

Following a decade in management, she broadened her experience by becoming Service Manager for About Health, leading a Community Dermatology Service across Dorset and West Hampshire. Working in partnership with local Clinical Commissioning Groups, she managed services across multiple locations during the COVID-19 pandemic, a challenging yet rewarding period.

Despite this, she found herself missing the close relationships formed in a care home environment, which led her back into residential care as the Home Manager at a care home near her.

During this time, she was selected to take part in a two-year Digital Care Planning Research Project through the Partners in Care Registered Managers Network. This led to co-presenting findings at the London School of Economics in March 2025 to representatives from the Care Quality Commission, local authorities, and sector stakeholders, as well as contributing to the published research paper.

Cornelia’s Career Path

Cornelia has also built a successful career in nursing, completing her studies in South Africa before gaining experience in a range of clinical settings. During her clinical career, she worked in roles including a high-acuity cardiac unit, where she developed strong clinical skills and a deep commitment to delivering high-quality care.

In 2019, she moved into adult social care as a Clinical Lead, where she discovered a real passion for supporting older people. Since then, she has enjoyed working in the care home environment, combining her nursing background with a person-centred approach and supporting teams to deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.

Values That Shape Their Approach

Both are guided by strong personal values that shape the way they lead and care for others. Rebecca’s approach is underpinned by integrity, kindness and empathy, while Cornelia is inspired by dignity and compassion.

Rebecca often reflects that a career in care was not something she actively chose, but something that naturally found her. What she enjoys most is the connection with residents, families, and her team, describing care home life as a “rich tapestry” of experiences, personalities, and shared moments of joy.

Cornelia is equally motivated by the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives every day. For her, that difference often comes through small but meaningful moments, such as seeing a smile on a resident’s face, spending time with them, or simply helping them feel valued and appreciated.

First Impressions of Yarnley House

Since joining Yarnley House, both Rebecca and Cornelia have been struck by the home’s bright, welcoming environment and the positive energy of the residents and staff. Rebecca has been impressed by the team’s enthusiasm and the residents’ varied life stories, while Cornelia describes the home as spacious and welcoming.

Cornelia has also enjoyed seeing residents take part in activities such as walks in the park, card games and the garden club, where they are busy planting and growing for the season ahead. Both managers agree that the atmosphere at Yarnley House is positive and full of community spirit.

Enhancing Daily Life

Several initiatives have already been introduced to further enrich life at Yarnley House. These include a dedicated Reflection Room for end-of-life care, aromatherapy across all floors and engaging programmes such as Armchair Travels, Love Where You Live and Expanding Our Minds Together.

A staff recognition scheme, including “Shout Out” cards and boards, has also been introduced to celebrate team achievements and foster a positive working culture.

For Cornelia, supporting staff development is a key priority. She believes that a confident and supported team is essential to delivering outstanding care, and she is committed to helping colleagues grow through ongoing learning and mentorship.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, the focus at Yarnley House is on continuing to enhance resident wellbeing by listening carefully to individual preferences and introducing meaningful, engaging experiences. Strengthening connections within the local community is also a priority, with plans in the diary for events, partnerships and more opportunities for residents to take part in community life.

Both Rebecca and Cornelia are committed to maintaining open and transparent communication with families, ensuring they feel reassured and involved in the care of their loved ones. Working closely together and with the wider team, they will continue to support a safe and nurturing environment where residents can thrive.

If you are exploring care options for yourself or a loved one, our team at Yarnley House would be delighted to support you. To find out more, get in touch today to arrange a visit or speak with a member of the team.