A career of caring for older people
We spoke to Adam Rees, CEO of the Abbeyfield Bristol & Keynsham Society, about the nature, rewards and challenges of his role, and the lessons he has learnt from a career working to help older people.
How long have you been working for Abbeyfield Bristol & Keynsham, and what other roles have you had working with older people?
I have been CEO of Abbeyfield Bristol and Keynsham Society for 18 months and I love working with the staff and residents here. I moved to Bristol from Wales over a decade ago to set up and lead a partnership of over 250 organisations that sought to tackle loneliness for older people. It was a great opportunity to involve older people directly in planning and delivering the work. Before I joined Abbeyfield, I was a director of a regional older people’s housing charity. Both of these roles have given me valuable experience that I’ve been able to bring to my work here at Abbeyfield.
What was it that attracted you to work for Abbeyfield?
I love the strategic thinking and organisational planning of being a CEO, but I also really love people. I get to speak to residents, their families, staff, and volunteers all the time and this always makes my day!
How does your professional experience lend itself to your role as CEO for an Abbeyfield Society?
I have worked in charities for 20 years and really enjoy being in a job that makes a real difference. A lot of my previous work has been about helping people to get their voices heard, and it’s the same here at Abbeyfield. Our residents are not just a group of older people, but individuals with unique experiences, wants and needs.
What does a typical working day look like?
I have realised that there is no such thing as a typical day. One day I might be meeting with trustees or other societies in the South-West, and the next I might be talking about menus or plumbing! I try and get out to each of the houses regularly to help me understand what is important to our staff and residents when I am making decisions that may impact them.
"I have worked in charities for 20 years and really enjoy being in a job that makes a real difference. I love the strategic thinking and organisational planning of being a CEO, but I also really love people. I get to speak to residents, their families, staff, and volunteers all the time and this always makes my day!"
-Adam, CEO of Bristol and Keynsham Society
Which part of your job do you most enjoy?
It’s obviously the people! We have four houses, each with a distinct personality because of the staff, residents and volunteers. Speaking to our residents makes my day. They each have their own stories and life experiences, and it’s always exciting to see a different aspect of a resident as they tell you about the time they sailed to Hawaii or designed a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. We have residents from 59 to 104 with different backgrounds and interests, so it is important to respect that and celebrate this variety.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?
Abbeyfield is often not recognised enough locally or nationally, so I enjoy championing what we offer and making sure that more people know about the fantastic work that the societies do across the world.
As the CEO, what are the best ways to support and motivate your team to deliver the best possible service for your residents?
The biggest lesson has been realising what an amazing resource we have in our staff and residents – they're real partners in this organisation, not just observers. As CEO, I often have to make the hard (and sometimes unpopular) decisions, but it's easier when I've genuinely heard and listened to what the residents and staff think. Recognising their incredible dedication and addressing their challenges directly is key to keeping everyone motivated and delivering our best.
What great things can we expect from Abbeyfield Bristol & Keynsham over the next year?
We turn 60 next year, so we are looking forward to a year of celebrations that remembers all the staff, trustees, residents, and community members that have got us through the last six decades. We have also just produced a five-year plan to get us ready for the next 60 years!
Learn more about Bristol and Keynsham Society
For nearly 60 years, Abbeyfield Bristol & Keynsham Society has provided homes for older people. They've supported hundreds of people to live independently. Residents are at the heart of what they do and their homes are designed to meet the needs of later life, focusing on community and a sense of belonging.
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